The Enid Blyton Society

Can anyone help settle a bit of a debate we've been having? Some locals in Beaconsfield believe that Green Hedges existed on the site now occupied by Blyton Close. But one or two older residents have told us that the house was actually sited slightly further down the Penn Road. I've tried looking for old maps but no joy... yet.

I was always under the impression that Green Hedges was demolished so that new houses could be built on its acreage site.

Maybe Anita or Tony could shed some light on this one

I always believed its where Blyton Close is - been to see the area and thought it was, but now I'm not sure!

I haven't been to Beaconsfield (yet!) and don't know exactly where Green Hedges stood, but I was wondering whether any trees from Enid Blyton's garden were preserved when the new estate was built?

Anita

I was talking to Barbara Stoney at the Enid Blyton Day, and she was telling me that she took some plants from Enid's garden before it was demolished.

Blyton Close is defintely built where Green Hedges once was.

Green Hedges was originally set in 3 acres of gardens. However Enid later bought an additional 1 acre. When I visited Blyton Close with David Cook, he said that the houses on both sides of the close were built on former Green Hedges land.

Wikipedia says that 1 acre equals 4,840 square yards. So 4 acres is just short of 20,000 square yards - probably enough to stretch a little way down the Penn Road!

Whether that extends as far down the road as your neighbours say, I don't know.

Doesn't one of the houses that was next door to Green Hedges, Northfield, still stand? That's what Lucy 'Loud Voice' Nottingham said in her article for the Enid Blyton Society Journal some years back. The other house next door to Green Hedges was called Upton Leigh, says Imogen Smallwood in her book 'A Childhood at Green Hedges', but I've no idea if that is still there. If one or both of those houses stand then it might help you to pinpoint where Green Hedges was!

Thanks Eljay - we'll go and have a look!

A very helpful lady called Amy at the South Bucks planning office has dug out some old maps and planning applications and it appears that Green Hedges was sited slightly to the North of what is now the road, Blyton Close - off the Penn Road.
It appears that the building that is now Number 1 Blyton Close is pretty much on the site of what was the Green Hedges house.
Amy, who said she loved looking into such an unusual request, has offered to scan the maps and email them to me. So, if I'm able, I'll post a link to them from here next week.
Thank you for all your suggestions.
And in case you're wondering - the answer to the question: What number in Penn Road was Green Hedges? - The answer is... 42.

Very interesting indeed, Redlionweb. It would be great to see the maps/plans.

Anita

For some reason the mechanics of the forum don't seem to want me to upload the pix here so, instead, here are links to the three maps from South Bucks Council. The first is a plotting map which shows 42 Penn Road, better known as Green Hedges. The second is another pre-1970s map of Beaconsfield showing the outline of Green Hedges (but not the name). Finally, there is a current map of the area so that you can work out where GH once was. It appears that the land formerly occupied by the house itself is now the road and part of what is now No. 10 Blyton Close.

I can't believe this was ever allowed!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16466229@N02/2604595980/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16466229@N02/2604600670/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16466229@N02/2603773295/

Thanks, Redlionweb. It's interesting looking at the maps, but also rather sad.

Anita

redlionweb wrote:And in case you're wondering - the answer to the question: What number in Penn Road was Green Hedges? - The answer is... 42.

That makes sense - according to Lucy Nottingham, Northfield was number 40 Penn Road, which she describes as "a five-bedroomed family house set in an acre of mature garden... Green Hedges [was] a much larger house in two or three acres of garden, where we soon learnt lived Enid Blyton and her family." Although the print is very tiny, I can just about make out the number of Green Hedges on your first map (42) and those of the two adjoining houses (40 and 44 - the latter must be Upton Leigh). I've found a 'bird's eye view' shot of the area on Microsoft Live Maps - using that and the three maps you've posted I've drawn around the area that must have been 'Green Hedges land' (i.e. what is now the ten houses that make up Blyton Close). It gives an idea of just how vast the estate was, especially compared to the surrounding houses! As you say, number one Blyton Close must be roughly the spot where the actual house stood, as that puts it broadly in line with the two adjoining houses (which, according to the most recent housing plan, both still stand). One wonders why they couldn't have just left the house where it was and built on the garden... oh well!

On the picture below I've numbered where Green Hedges was as 42 (now 1 Blyton Close), Northfield as 40 and Upton Leigh, 44. I think this is correct, but can't be sure without seeing the area for myself (I did once years ago, but paid no attention to the houses on either side of Blyton Close.)

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i175/wacaday/GH.jpg" target="_blank

Eljay wrote:I've found a 'bird's eye view' shot of the area on Microsoft Live Maps - using that and the three maps you've posted I've drawn around the area that must have been 'Green Hedges land' (i.e. what is now the ten houses that make up Blyton Close). It gives an idea of just how vast the estate was, especially compared to the surrounding houses!

It certainly does! Thanks for that, Eljay. It's a nice, clear picture.

Anita

That's brilliant! Thanks Eljay.