Scope and Content
Letter from County Medical Officer 'We urgently need accommodation for a midwife in Kempston, If we do not secure something soon we shall lose the midwife'. Has been in touch with Kempston Urban District Council for some months but nothing has become available, therefore need to purchase a suitable house; gives 4 examples advertised in Bedfordshire Times ranging between £3,250 and £3,500 'if you can find a house at about £3,000 it is likely to commend itself to the Chairman of the Health Committee' 3 October 1962
Letter from County Architect to 11 Estate Agents (below) asking for any suitable properties (preferably of recent construction):
a) Bungalow, detached or semi-detached
b) Living/Dining Room, Kitchen, Stores, Fuel, Garage a necessity
c) Three bedrooms and bathroom
d) small garden
sent to: R W Stonebanks & Company, Stafford Rogers & Merry, Robinson & Hall, Robert Miles & Partners, W & H Peacock, J R Eve & Son, Douglas Stratford Jones & Company, Connells, Bedfordshire Property Sales, Harry Ball & Company, Allott & Bernard; 24 October 1962
Letter from County Architect to County Medical Officer mentions 'properties in Kempston are in great demand, and advertised houses are usually sold the same evening' 24 October 1962
Letter from R W Stonebanks & Company recommending 16 Birchdale Avenue 'this is a pleasant semi-detached situated in a quiet cul-de-sac in this pleasant part of Kempston. The property is of brick and spa-dash, with a tiled roof over' gives details of rooms etc.,; Rateable value £30; price £3,400 freehold; notes in pen 'price negotiated so far by me £3,250 and Vendor to pay his own costs' 'Outside decoration - fair, Interal decoration - fairly good to good' 25 October 1962
other property details supplied by R W Stonebanks at the same time;
12 Sexton Avenue, Kempston; rateable value £32, price £3,650 freehold
41 Ashdale Avenue, Kempston; rateable value £31, price £3,250 freehold
Letter from W & H Peacock with details of 4 potential properties: 25 October 1962
46 Hall End Road, Wootton; ratetable value £10; price £3,000 freehold
27 Birchdale Avenue, Kempston; rateable value £27, price £3,250 freehold
41 Highfield Road, Kempston; rateable value £33, price £3,450 freehold
"Burghley", South Avenue, Elstow; rateable value £28, price £3,600 freehold
Letter from Robert Miles & Partners with details of two properties: 25 October 1962
Lodge Avenue, Kempston; no details of price
Ibbetts Close, Kempston; rateable value £26; price £3,250 freehold
Further property details from W & H Peacock stamped 29 October 1962; Ivy Lane, Wilstead; price £3,500 freehold - in pencil 'out'
Further property details from Robert Miles; Tudor Close, Bromham 'a most attractive semi-detached bungalow' rateable value £25, price £2,700 freehold
Memo states that four properties to be considered; 16 Birchdale Avenue, 41 Ashdale Avenue, 41 Highfield Road, 12 Sexton Avenue; 1 November 1962
Bedfordshire Property Sales recommend two properties: 2 November 1962
22 Sexton Avenue, Kempston; rateable value £21, price £3,900 freehold
16 Birchdale Avenue, Kemspton; (same rateable value and price as per R W Stonebanks above)
Property (16 Birchdale Avenue) to be purchased through R W Stonebanks, 16 November 1962, 10 percent deposit (£325) required
Memo that small alterations are needed (with details) estimated at £250 - £300 with note that 'Mr Stonebanks says that he has another person on his books wishing to buy the property, and he would like to know by telephone today if the Council are prepared to buy' 21 November 1962
Small map H/K7/P1/ES179 (2 copies) showing location of property [area 0.076 acres approx] (extract from OS Map, scale 1:2500) November
1962
Memo that £300 for alterations (as above) for equipment and sterilising room had been approved; 14 January 1963
Property purchased 4 February 1963
Randalls (Bedford) Ltd were awarded the contract to supply and deliver stainless steel sink units for £64..16s; Pratt (Watford) Ltd were unsuccessful with their bid for £75..2s..10d; 19 February 1963