Horseshoe Close

‘The development will comprise 28 detached houses of 3 different designs in Georgian style. Each house will have 4 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, a kitchen with probably the finest units available, a bathroom, 2 toilets and a garage. The larger type of house ... will have a double garage and a screened hard-standing area for a caravan or a boat,’ declares Drivers estate agents in 1969.

The first residents moved into the Close in the spring of 1970. By the end of 1971, the houses were completed, although the final number was twenty six not twenty eight.  In 2016, 4 of the original residents still live there.

The estate, built by Lantree Developments, was on the site of an old orchard behind houses on West Wickham Road. Horseshoe Villa, which was opposite Burrell Way, was demolished in 1969 to provide access, and a cottage, known as Bee Farm, was demolished at the opposite end, although the path that led to it still remains.

Albert Brown was one of the eighteen children of Ellen (née Plumb) and George Brown. The 1911 census shows some of the family living at Woodhall Cottages, with George, aged 51, working as a horse keeper. In 1930 Albert married Cynthia Kidman, whose parents were living in Horseshoe Villa at that time. Cynthia’s father had a business, George Kidman and Sons, which traded as builders and undertakers. George died in 1939 and Albert and Cynthia brought up their family in the Villa. 

Albert Brown was a farmer (here with his horse at Horseshoe Villa with part of Bartons Close in background). Albert’s wife, Cynthia died in 1962, and a few years later he moved into a new bungalow at the corner of Bartons Close. Named Horseshoe Lodge, it was his home until his death in 1985, aged 79.

The land at the east end of the site had been known as Tabor’s Meadow. Arthur Tabor of Bees Farm died in 1945, aged 87, and the meadow and buildings passed to his son who lived at St Andrews, in the High Street.  This is the detached house opposite the entrance to the Rookery. Mr and Mrs Tabor offered accommodation to a number of Barnardo’s children, some of whom still live in the village.  At some point the Meadow was sold to Albert Brown, the Tabors rented out Bee Farm and the last people to live in the cottage were Albert’s daughter Greta and her husband Brian Ellam.  

After the death of the younger Mr Tabor in 1964, Bee Farm, Horseshoe Villa and their lands were sold for development and the buildings were demolished.