Prefabs

[stodge.]

Trojan wrote: Does anyone remember the pre-fabs at Cottingley. I knew someone who lived in one and visited it from time to time, for me who came from a back to back with no bathroom and an outside toilet they seemed the height of luxury. There were also a few in Churwell and down Albert Road in Morley (I think) But as emergency post war housing they seemed great. I believe there are still a few surviving at Sowerby Bridge. I remember the prefabs at Cottingley, we used to play down there, round the slopes at the bottom of the flats, on the windy hill. I was only about 8 when they knocked them down to build the community centre, we spent many an hour making dens under slabs of propped up concrete.

[Trojan]

Uno Hoo wrote: Lilysmum wrote: There were two estates of prefabs near where I live,Westfield just off the A65 at Yeadon and another Shaw lane in Guiseley,I think they were built to house workers at the AVRO factory and were demolished in the early 60's to make way for new housing. They were known locally as "flat tops" or "t'piggerys" My mum worked at Avro. Her job was to stretch the fabric skins over the airframes of Ansons and Lancasters, lace them up tightly, and then coat the fabric with dope. She was never offered a prefab - she lived in Farsley, and I'm pretty certain she and other women had to walk to Greengates before any transport was laid on. She had been "conscripted" to work in munitions, but I never heard her complain about having a long walk either side of long hours.My father came from Leicester, so in 1946 we moved there after his demob. In 1947 we were allocated a prefab on basis of his war service - they were called "homes for heroes". By the standards of the time they were little palaces, having fitted kitchens and gas-powered fridges. We were allocated a larger council house in 1951, but altho' it was a new house it didn't have a fridge; in fact, it was about 1972 before I had a fridge. The prefab was finally demolished in 1973 - by chance I had gone on a trip down Memory Lane and just managed to see it before it was razed. Went to look at the other council house as well. Wouldn't want to live there now! My mum also worked at Avro - she made the tail planes for the Anson. She used to lodge in Bradford and then Pudsey. It was big money - £6 per week - which doesn't sound like a fortune - but given that she'd been "in service" on about 30 bob a week and her keep it was. She furnished a house for my dad to come home to out of it anyway.

[Si]

Uno Hoo quote:"By complete coincidence my first ever flight was in an Anson, from RAF Church Fenton, followed by several more in similar aircraft. Just missed, by about 10 minutes, a flight in the RAF's last Lincoln bomber, which was a later derivative of the Lancaster." My dad did his national service in the RAF at Church Fenton, and he tells me his first trip in an aeroplane was in an Anson, too. Very noisy, rattly and draughty, he says.    

[Uno Hoo]

Si wrote: Uno Hoo quote:"By complete coincidence my first ever flight was in an Anson, from RAF Church Fenton, followed by several more in similar aircraft. Just missed, by about 10 minutes, a flight in the RAF's last Lincoln bomber, which was a later derivative of the Lancaster." My dad did his national service in the RAF at Church Fenton, and he tells me his first trip in an aeroplane was in an Anson, too. Very noisy, rattly and draughty, he says.    Morning, SiWe've all been spoiled by the jet age. All piston-engined aircraft were slow (by modern standards), rattly, draughty and noisy. It's sobering to recall that a short hop to say Malaga or Lisbon took seven or eight hours in pre-jet days. The old aircraft were also bumpy - when did you last see someone use the sickbag in a jet - it has to be pretty bad turbulence these days - whereas it would be at least one on almost every trip on piston types. However, despite the discomfort, it actually felt like flying. Nearest I've come to it since has been a number of trips recently on Eastern Airways to and from Southampton - OK their planes are smooth turboprops, but they're small and bump/rock a bit on final approach. Nice experience!

[Uno Hoo]

Si wrote: Lilysmum wrote: There were two estates of prefabs near where I live,Westfield just off the A65 at Yeadon and another Shaw lane in Guiseley,I think they were built to house workers at the AVRO factory and were demolished in the early 60's to make way for new housing. They were known locally as "flat tops" or "t'piggerys" Are the houses opposite the retail park (McDonald's, Focus, Next etc) in Guiseley pre-fabs?     Hello again, SiI forgot to comment on your earlier question about the houses in Guiseley. I don't pass that way often, but from memory I don't think they are prefabs. Thet may well be "Airey" houses, built from prefabricated concrete sections, but prefabs were bungalows, and delivered intact to their locations. In fact I have quite clear recall of being taken to see our new prefab in Leicester before moving in, and it was actually still on the back of its delivery lorry! I was lifted on and can still remember exploring the rooms before the structure had even been married up to its ground base.

[Si]

Hi, Uno Hoo,They could be either. They're bungalows, and lined up like little terraces. I'll have a closer look next time I'm passing.The first time I flew was 1962 - Yeadon Aerodrome to Ibiza (of all places - San Antonio was a small fishing village.) I have a photo of my parents and me boarding a twin prop plane (BEA I think). My dad's wearing a suit and mum's wearing a hat and white gloves! I don't remember the flight as I was only three!I flew to Jersey in 1969ish in a Viscount or Vanguard, and I remember that being pretty hair-raising by today's standards! "The Battle of Britain" film had just come out, so the flight was spent shooting down imaginary Messcherscmidts out of the window!    

[Lilysmum]

I just found a photo of a prefab at Westfield, yeadon just before demolition on the Leodis website. I don't know how to upload/download?? pictures but if you put in MAP bungalow on the search it comes up. (MAP=ministry of aircraft production)

[Si]

Is this the one, Lilysmun?

[Lilysmum]

Oh you are clever! yes that's the one, thankyou.

[LS1]

Is this a prefab. I didnt realise that they were made of brick. I thought they were like a cemenrt block thing.