Scope and Content
Includes:
Letter from London Brick Co Ltd, Africa House, Kingsway, London WC2: "Benefits resulting from higher productivity and increased efficiency throughout every field of the Company's operations, have now made it possible for the Company to announce a price reduction. As and from Oct 1 prices of our Common, Cellular Common and Keyed bricks are reduced by 2/- per thousand. This reduction applies to current orders and outstanding quotations for these types of bricks. Prices of all other standard types of our bricks remain unaltered. All deliveries will be charged at the prices ruling on the date of despatch." 28 Sep 1961
Letter from W J Huson, Secretary, Registered Plumbers Association, Luton & District Council, to County Architect: "It is anticipated in the near future to launch a Bedford Council of our Association. With this in mind a meeting has been arranged at 7.30pm on Wed 19 Sep 1962 at Messrs F Gale Ltd Showrooms, 24 Mill Street, Bedford. Programme: Film show and talk on Skirting Heating by Messrs Crane Ltd; Talk on the registration of plumbers by Mr J M Haig, General Secretary, Registered Plumbers Association; The Council would be glad if you would agree to act as Chairman for the meeting, perhaps you would let me know if this is convenient. I have also pleasure in asking you and Mrs Barker to be our guests for the evening at the Annual Dinner and Dance to be held at 7.00pm on Sat 20 Oct 1962 at the Halfway House Hotel, Luton Road, Dunstable."
Reply: "I gather from a telephone conversation which my Chief Clerk had with you that as you would not know whether or not I was able to take the Chair at your meeting until I returned from leave, you thought it wisest to seek the agreement of someone else. I am assuming that you have in fact done this. It is very kind of you to ask my wife and me to be guests at your Annual Dinner and Dance in Oct. Unfortunately I have a previous engagement which I could not easily cancel, and I hope that you will please excuse us on this occasion. May I wish you well in your efforts to launch a Bedford Council of your Association." 5 Sep 1962
Letter from Frederick C Levitt, Chartered Architect, Commerce House, Biggleswade: "I beg to advise you that on 29 Sep next I am moving my offices to larger and more commodious premises at Boddington Lodge, 57 London Road, Biggleswade. The telephone numbers will remain the same. Ample parking space will be available for your convenience." received 29 Sep 1964
Further letter [from new address]: "I have pleasure in informing you that I have taken into partnership my senior assistant, Mr John Lindley Burnett, Dip. Arch., ARIBA, who has been with me for the past four years. In future, the practice will be carried on under the name Frederick C Levitt and Partners." undated, late 1964 or 1965
Letter from William Lockhart Ltd, Builders Merchants and Haulage Contractors, 180-182 High Street North, Dunstable: "We are pleased to inform you that, with effect from 31 Mar 1965, the business interests of Sidney Bennett & Son Ltd and William Lockhart Ltd will be amalgamated, trading as Lockhart Bennett Ltd. Both Companies are long established family-controlled concerns who have endeavoured to give good service and personal consideration to all their customers, and we are determined that this happy association will continue under this new arrangement. The Luton and Dunstable Offices, Storage Depots and Showrooms will continue to function as previously, together with our present competent staff, although the Accounts Department will be centralised at 180 High Street North, Dunstable, over the Showrooms of the Heating Department. It is our earnest intention to expand our business to a greater area and to increase our already comprehensive stock, to the benefit of all our customers. The Directors, believing that it will produce a Company full of new ideas and zest for service, enthusiastically support this merger and earnestly hope that we shall continue to enjoy our cordial business relationship, but should you have any queries or personal views, we shall be pleased to hear from you. Assuring you of our continued personal attention and good service at all times." Feb 1965
Letter from Luton Building Co Ltd [Building Contractors (Luton) Ltd crossed out], Church Street, Luton to County Architect's Department: "Further to phone conversation of today with your Mr Aitkens, we return specifications for certain Decorating jobs which we have been unable to quote for, for reasons we have endeavoured to explain. We sincerely regret that circumstances, mainly regarding labour, have forced us into the present difficult position regarding tendering for more Decorating work during the next few weeks. We trust however, that we will overcome this position before too long, and are sorry that it should be so just now." 29 Apr 1965
Letter from Lillywhite's Garden Centre Ltd, Grange Avenue Nurseries, Leagrave, to Peter Moore, Architect's Department: "This is to confirm our appointment for Wed next, 10 Aug, at 11am when the question of landscaping can be discussed with you. We look forward to receiving your kind enquiries which will receive the writer's best attention at all times." 5 Aug 1966
Letter from London Brick Co Ltd: "Pending the outcome of the report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes, the Governemt has agreed that, where circumstances make an interim increase in brick prices necessary, manufacturers are free to advance the delivered price of their bricks by up to 3%. In our own case prices have been held since 1 Jul 1963 - a period of over four years - during which time substantial increases in wages, transport and other costs have been incurred and the stage has been reached where an interim increase in the price of bricks can no longer be avoided. As and from 1 Aug 1967, therefore, the existing prices of all types of brick will be increased by 4/- per thousand. This represents an advance of something less than 3% on the average delivered price of common bricks and of something less than 2% on facing bricks. In accordance with our Terms of Sale, all outstanding quotations are advanced and all deliveries will be charged at the prices ruling on the date of delivery. Your immediate kind acknowledgement of this letter in confirmation will assist in ensuring that no interruption occurs in continuity of supply." 21 Jul 1967
Further letter: "We must advise you of increases in the price of bricks in line with the recommendations of the National Board for Prices and Incomes and made with the approval of the Minister of Public Building and Works. As and from Mon 1 Jan the prices of common and keyed bricks are advanced by 6/- per thousand. In addition, as a result of increased road haulage charges, an extra charge will be applied with the approval of the Minister of Public Buildings and Works, to all types of bricks delivered by road. This charge will vary according to the radial mileage involved from the works or rail depot of supply and will be as follows: Up to and including 50 miles - 1/9 per thousand; Over 50 miles and up to and including 100 miles - 2/9 per thousand; Over 100 miles - 3/9 per thousand. Customers wishing to know the actual effect of these charges in their own case are requested to contact the Sales Office responsible for deliveries to them. In accordance with our Terms of Sale, all outstanding quotations are advanced and all deliveries will be charged at the prices ruling on the date of delivery. Your immediate kind acknowledgement of this letter in confirmation will assist in ensuring that no interruption occurs in continuity of supply." 21 Dec 1967
Letter from The Long Rake Spar Co Ltd [producers of Longrake Derbyshire Spar], Youlgrave, nr Bakewell, Derbyshire, to County Architect: "Whilst we have on numerous occasions been favoured with your enquiries for the 'Longrake' Derbyshire Spar, we have not, so far, been favoured with any orders you may have had to place for this material. We trust we are not being overlooked as, with the wide range of sizes and qualities we can offer all of which, with the exception of Grade 'A', we can supply within a day or two of receipt of order, we feel sure we can satisfy your requirements, whatever they may be. We shall be pleased to send you our current price list and a range of samples if you would like to have them by you for reference and we trust that, if at any time you feel we might be of service to you, you will get in touvh with us. As a result of the present difficult times through which the building industry in particular is passing, we realise your requirements may only be very limited but, whether large or small, we can assure you they will at all times have our usual prompt and careful attention. We hope shortly to be of service to you." 23 Jan 1968
Letter from London Brick Co Ltd: "For some time we have felt the need to provide our customers in your area with a closer and improved service, more suited to the local requirements of the building industry. A new District Sales Office is, therefore, being opened at Aylesbury. This new office, which will cover the counties of Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, will in future be responsible for our service to you. As from the opening dated 4 Mar 1968, all outstanding quotations, orders and registrations which have been administered by this office will be transferred to Aylesbury, and from that date all communications should be directed to our Aylesbury District Office: Lincoln House, 6 Church Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Brick supplies to you will not be affected by the change-over and all existing delivery arrangements will be honoured by the new office. Accounts will continue to be submitted from our Head Office, Africa House, Kingsway, London WC2, and, as in the past, remittances should be sent to our Head Office. Mr J E King has been appointed District Manager of Aylesbury District Office and he is most anxious that the cordial relationship that exists between us should in no way be affected by these new arrangements, which are designed for your benefit." 19 Feb 1968
Letter from Lovell Housing Ltd, High Street, Marlow, Buckinghamshire to County Architect: "Next week Lovell will launch a brand new low-rise timber-frame housing system that is fast, flexible and really cost-conscious. The system has been approved by the NBA, meets Parker-Morris recommendations, and all plan types have been approved by the Ministry of Housing. Like to know more? There is no need to write. Simply return this letter in the stamped envelope provided and we will supply you with further information." 20 Mar 1968
Letter from Lord's Tree Services Ltd, 32 High Street, Great Barford, to County Architect: "We are a firm specialising in tree work of every description, and we feel that we may be of some service to you. Our main occupation is in the field of tree felling, root removing, hedge grubbing etc., This normally for site clearance for building, road widening, etc., Tree planting and maintenance also comes within the sphere of our activities. We are Approved Contractors to Electricity Boards, British Railways, County Councils and various Local Authorities in the area, from whom recommendations or references could always be obtained. We carry a permanent Public Liability Insurance Policy covering us for anything up to £100,000 for any one accident, a copy of which could be seen on request. If you feel we might be of some service to you I eould be only too happy to come and see you to explain our services in greater detail. Should you have any work which might be of interest to us, we would be pleased to look at it and supply you with quotations etc., free of cost or obligation. We look foward to being of service to you and assure you of our best attention at all times." 19 Aug 1969
Letter from Lea Heating Merchants Ltd [A member of the Flitwick Holdings Group]: Head Office: Chantry Industrial Estate, Kempston; Accounts: Kings Road, Flitwick: "We wish to advise you of some Senior Staff changes which will take place with effect from 1 Feb 1970. For personal reasons our Sales Manager Mr P J Chambers is leaving the Heating Trade. Mr A Dawson will continue to be responsible for all the day to day operations and administration of the Company, but Mr R B Kentfield will assume the position of Sales Office Manager with responsibility for all matters pertaining to sales and liaison with Customers. Therefore from 1 Feb onwards your normal contact should be with our outside Sales Representative or Telephone Sales Assistants as at present or in cases when either one of these people cannot deal with your requirements, with Mr Kentfield. We are sure that those of you who know Peter Chambers will join us in wishing him the very best of success in the future and we trust that our reorganisation will cause you the minimum of inconvenience. If during the early period of the new arrangement you have any cause for dissatisfaction please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned [R A G Whipp]." Dec 1969
List of surplus stock due to rationalisation of range - offered subject to prior sale: Boilers, Heaters, Radiators etc., with prices; 1 Dec 1969
Letter from F H Such, Engineer and Surveyor, Letchworth Urban District Council, Town Lodge, Gernon Road, Letchworth: "The Council are considering the inclustion of Grass-Soil Ltd of Haynes, Bedfordshire, on a list of selected Contractors for the construction of Jackmans Estate Playing Field. It is envisaged that the scheme will be based on a lump sum tender with no detailed quantities but the outline requirements given. The works comprise the provision of two football pitches, a cricket table, hard playing area for netball/five a side football, car park and pavilion covering an area of approximately 7 acres. The firm has stated that they have constructed cricket tables, tennis courts etc., at Caddington CSM School under your supervision and I should be pleased if you would return one copy of the enclosed questionnaire, which is in duplicate, and return it to me in the attached pre-paid envelope. Thanking you in anticipation of your assistance in this matter." 30 Dec 1969
Questionnaire:
1) Did the Contract include Civil Engineering/Building operations in car parks, pavilions etc? [No]
2) Was the scheme designed by [Local Authority]
3) What quantities were quoted [None]
4) Was Contractor's supervision [Average]
5) Was adequate and experienced labour employed? [No]
6) Was adequate plant used? [Yes]
7) Was the standard of workmanship [Average]
8) Was the Contract completed on time [No]
9) If NO was the delay due to [Contractor/Weather]
10) Were there difficulties in agreement of accounts? [No]
11) Were details of pavilion prepared and submitted by [Not Applicable]
Signed Peter J Moore, 6 Jan 1970
Letter from County Architect to London Brick Co Ltd: "For some years now I have pre-ordered the common bricks for use on County Council projects and on receipt of your invoices for these bricks the accounts have been paid direct to you by this Authority. Contractual difficulties have arisen because of this procedure and I would like to alter this in respect of all outstanding and future orders. I will continue to pre-order the bricks as hitherto but on signing the Contract for the Works with the Main Contractor, I will assign the rights and obligations of the County Council with yourselves to the Main Contractor. The Main Contractor will then be responsible to you for the payment of all the bricks delivered to the site. You will be notified in each case of the date of the assignment and the name and address of the Contractor. All Contractors who carry out work for this Authority are on the County Council Approved List of Contractors and their financial position is closely examined before being admitted to the Approved List. I would be glad of your agreement to this procedure, which will apply both to the orders placed with yourselves and also to the Marston Valley Brick Company." 13 Jan 1970
Reply from Lincoln House, 6 Church Street, Aylesbury: "We cannot see any undue difficulty in dealing with your orders along the lines suggested as this is in fact in line with the Registration Scheme we operate which is utilised by many of the larger Authorities. This system works quite simply and has proved very effective; on receipt of your advance order or 'Registration' we will acknowledge to you on the prescribed form as per copy attached, it will then only be necessary for the Appointed Contractor to let us have his covering order which should quote the date and reference of our acknowledgement and the site address should indicate 'For County of Bedford'. We must reserve the right to deal with the order from the Contractor under our own terms and conditions and where we feel it applicable these would be Cash with Order unless the contractor already has an established Credit Account with us. This procedure will be put in hand immediately and during the course of the next few days we shall be sending you Registration Acknowledgements in respect of all outstanding Orders with this Company and our associates, Marston Valley Brick Co Ltd." 16 Jan 1970
Copy form as mentioned above: "We thank you for your letter dated [ ] and as requested have pleasure in registering the following quantities for this work: [ ]. It will be necessary for you, in due course, to advise the successful Contractor that your work is covered by a 'Registration' and for the Contractor to make reference to this and state the date of the 'Registration' when placing his order. It would also be helpful if you would advise us of the name of the Contractor in order to ensure that there is no delay before the order is placed. In due course the date of your Registration will be applied to the order received from the Contractor. If an order covered by a 'Registration' is placed with us through a Builders' Merchant, it will only be possible to give some special assistance in delivery if the Merchant concerned is in agreement. You will understand that such arrangements as we would make would be subject to acceptance of orders on our usual terms and conditions of sale, and also that prices charged would be those current at the time of delivery. Our Representative wil lkeep in touch with you and will be pleased to supply any further information you may require."
Small printed card: "Lord's Tree Services Ltd would like to advise their Customers that owing to further expansion they are moving their offices to 75 Harpur Street, Bedford as from 30 Jun 1970. The After Hours number remains the same." [Great Barford]; received 2 Jul 1970
Letter from London Brick Co Ltd: "In the printed information slip entitled 'Phorpres Metric Bricks' which was circulated to customers in Mar of this year, we stated 'As the demand for metric bricks for buildings designed on metric dimensions grows, so other Works within the Group will be converted to metric production. Customers will be kept fully informed of our programme of change by the District Sales Office concerned'. The situation has now been reached where it is considered timely for the bulk of the Company's production to be changed over to metric bricks and the attached document sets out information relating to our intentions in this respect. We trust it will be of material assistance to customers when planning their site arrangements." Sep 1970
'Phorpres Metric Bricks': mentions "In Mar of this year, customers were sent a printed information slip on the change to metric bricks. This referred to the publication of the British Metric Standard for Bricks and to the situation whereby, approximately six months from the date of publication of the Metric Standard, the Imperial Standard would be withdrawn. This, in effect, has now been done and from 1 Jul 1970 the ruling British Standard for Bricks is BS.3921: Part 2: 1969 Metric Units ...Production of Phorpres metric bricks which has previously been limited to Stewartby Works will now be extended to all other Works in the Company. In order to cause the least possible inconvenience to customers, the change will be effected at each individual works as speedily as possible in the following sequence: Bletchley Works; Calvert Works; Peterborough Group of Works (Fletton & Dogsthorpe, Northam, Whittlesey)"
Letter from Laurence E Evans, Information Officer, The Local Government Information Office for England and Wales, 36 Old Queen Street, Westminster, London SW1; 'Confidential until noon Tue 1 Dec': "I am pleased to announce the publication of: 'The recommended guidance on the issue of information by councils to the press and other media'. The document has been prepared jointly by the Local Government Information Office and the Institute of Journalists and has been endorsed by the Association of Municipal Councils, the County Councils Association, the Rural District Councils Association and the Urban District Councils Association. The Institute, it should be noted, also represents the National Union of Journalists in professional matters of this kind. The Guild of British Newspaper Editors has received the document and has agreed to circulate it to all members for information. The document is merely persuasive in its intention and is presented in a spirit of 'give and take'. I appreciate that many excellent press/council relationships exist. One complimentary copy is being sent to every local authority and every newspaper in the country. I anticipate that you would wish your members and officers to read the document, and quantities can be purchased through this office at the prices outlined below. A press conference to introduce the recommended guidance is being held in London on Tue 1 Dec, and you may also care to discuss it with your local newspapers, and other media, on and after that date. The information is confidential until then. I would like to add that our co-operation with the Institute of Journalists has been excellent. Both this office and the Institute hope that the document will be widely read." Prices: 1 copy 1/6 (9p); 10 copies 10/- (50p); 100 copies £4..10s (£4.50); 24 Nov 1970
With photocopy of Recommended Guidance
Letter from L N Britton, Secretary and Accountant, Luton Water Company, Crescent Road, Luton, to George Brewis: "I am directed to inform you, in your dual capacity as Clerk to the Bedfordshire County Council and Clerk to the Great Ouse Water Authority, that the Luton Water Company and the Lee Valley Water Company have recently discussed the desirability of an amalgamation of the two undertakings. No negotiations have so far taken place and the Local Authorities will be kept fully informed." 26 Jan 1971
Letter from County Architect to Lew Keay & Sons, 32 Hazelwood Lane, Ampthill: "Further to the recent telephone conversation between Mr Lew Keay and my Mr Fred Smith, relating to the fault which has developed in one of the lighting columns at Leighton Buzzard Youth Club, and which you are in the process of repairing, I now feel that it is absolutely essential that ALL the columns in the County are inspected. As all except six of these columns (at Arlesey Community Centre) are, I understand, of your manufacture I am asking you to inspect and test these columns and make a written report to me on their condition as quickly as possible. I give below a list of establishments that I know have these columns installed and would suggest that if you know of any additional premises where these have been used they should be included in your inspection: Stratton School, Biggleswade; Lealands School, Sundon Park; Youth Centre, Leighton Buzzard; Youth Centre, Redborne School, Ampthill; County Secondary School, Sandy; Fulbrook School, Aspley Heath; Fire Station, Barkers Lane, Bedford; Community Centre, Arlesey; Westfield School, Bedford; Social Centre, Leighton Buzzard. I feel that it is necessary to repeat that this matter is most urgent." 24 May 1971
Memo from Clerk of the County Council to County Architect regarding Land Charges Act 1925, Search No. 7098/72, Land at Leighton Buzzard: "Will you please let me know if the County Council intend to acquire any interest in the land edged red on the plan attached [not here] within five years or has the Council been notified by any Public Authority possessing Compulsory Purchase powers of a proposal of that Authority to acquire any such interest." 21 Jul 1972
Reply: "I now write to let you know that a site will possibly be required for a new Lower School within a proposed 100 acre development area, although as yet no definite site has been defined. The land which is the subject of your search might be in the vicinity of this future School, but I am unable to say at this very early stage whether this particular parcel will be required or not." 27 Jul 1972
Letter from The Albion Sports and Social Club [Luton/Dunstable] to Secretary, Smallholdings Committee: "On behalf of the above club, I am approaching you in connection with a new venture which is being developed. After a recent meeting with Sidney Morris of the Bedfordshire Playing Fields Association, it was decided to approach you in connection with trying to obtain a piece of land for us to prepare a football pitch on, and at a later date, a clubhouse. We are on the lookout for land in the Luton and Dunstable area and would like to know if there is any available for this purpose. If further information is required the committee and myself would be very willing to meet you and discuss the matter further." 5 Aug 1972
Reply from J B Purser, County Land Agent: "There is no land surplus to requirements on the County Council's smallholdings estate at the present time. I am passing your enquiry on to the County Architect who will communicate with you direct if he knows of anything likely to interest you." 8 Aug 1972
Reply from County Architect: "Unfortunately there is no land in the Dunstable or Luton area surplus to the requirements of the County Council at the present time. I am sorry that I am unable to help you in this matter." 15 Sep 1972
Letter from County Architect to County Planner regarding proposed office development for the Energy Group, Leighton Buzzard: "I have examined the revised palns and elevations which you sent to me and I think they do show a distinct improvement on the previous scheme submission. It remains an undistinguished building which one might find in almost any town development, and I still do not think that in quality it is up to the standard of this most important site. Having listened to the discussion at the recent meeting with the developers I do not think that you are going to be able to achieve much improvement on the present proposals and it seems to me that the success or failure will now largely depend upon the quality of the materials and their detailing. The very limited recession illustrated on the elevations for the ground floor will not in my view read very well and great care will have to be taken with the selection of the materials in this particular area. No doubt when you have been informed of the developers proposals for materials we can have a further discussion." 28 Sep 1972
Letter from Frederick C Levitt and Partners: "As from 1 Apr next I shall be withdrawing as senior partner and becoming Consultant to the firm, thus taking a less active part in the Practice. I shall continue to attend the office regularly and shall be available to Clients as before. You may be aware that John Burnett joined me in partnership in 1964 and Dennis Francis in 1969, each having spent some time with me as senior assistants. I am well content to leave the greater part of the work in their hands and have every confidence in their ability to serve our Clients with efficiency. May I take this opportunity of expressing my thanks for past commissions. The name of the firm will remain unchanged." signed Fred C Levitt; Mar 1973
Memo from County Architect to Director of Social Services: "Mr William Laud (deceased) formerly residing at 29 High Street, Gravenhurst, is being admitted into a County Council Home. The property 29 High Street has been inspected and the value of this property with vacant possession as at 22 May 1972 is £3,500." 12 Jun 1973
Letter from Brian Green, Chartered Quantity Surveyor, 50 Washway Road, Sale, Cheshire, to Clerk of the County Council and County Architect: "As I believe you are aware, I was instructed by Commercial Union Assurance Co Ltd in the matter of the Bond provided for Lindum (Lincoln) Ltd's contract for the Aged Persons Home at Leighton Buzzard, and since receiving those instructions I have been in correspondence with the County Architect concerning the accounts.
At a meeting held in the Chief Quantity Surveyor's office yesterday [mentions meetings with Mr Bebbington and Mr Lucas] I was surprised to discover that during May 1973 the County Architect had written to the Liquidator of Lindum (Lincoln) Ltd setting out the position on six contracts for which my client had not provided Bonds, and after allowing for set off had arrived at a figure of approximately £4,919 which it was proposed to pay to the Liquidator. I understand that a payment may since have been made. There seems to be no good reason why your alleged loss on the contract for which my client provided a Bond should not have been taken into account in this calculation. I assume that you will now be seeking to recover any payment which has been erroneously made to the Liquidator.
There are a number of items of principle, quantity and rate in the accounts which appear to my client and I to need explanation or correction, but I understand from my interview with Mr Lucas of the County Architect's Department that the County Architect has no intention, in his dealings with the Surety, of amending either of the accounts in respect of either quantity or rate. You will appreciate that in considering my client's liability under the Bond I have a duty to satisfy myself that the accounts provide the totals upon which the calculation of any claim under the Bond should be based. It may be that we are wrong in our assumption that some of the items need amending, but unless we can receive satisfactory explanations, we shall require their amendment.
In a letter which the County Architect addressed to my client on 19 Apr 1972 there were included in the statement of the Council's additional costs of carrying out the work, a sum approximating to £1,000 which was paid to a nominated subcontractor for work carried out before the Receiver's appointment and a sum of £680.25 which is referred to as 'Retention to be paid direct to nominated subcontractors'. I am sure you will appreciate that I cannot agree to the inclusion of such sums in the calculation of a claim under a Contract Guarantee Bond.
Taking into account the payments made or to be made to the Liquidators, the payment made to a nominated subcontractor for work carried out before the Receiver's appointment, the monies the County Architect proposed to pay to nominated subcontractors and setting these against the claim stated in the County Architect's letter of 19 Apr 1972, there remains a sum of less than £500. From my examination of the accounts, and the one or two items which I looked at with Mr Lucas yesterday, it seems clear that the County Architect is likely to agree to adjustments in the accounts which will exceed £500, and it will then have been shown that the Council has suffered no necessary loss in this case.
I look forward to hearing from you that the Council will not proceed with its claim and will return the Bond document for cancellation." 11 Jul 1973
Letter from F Haynes, Secretary, London Brick Co Ltd: "On 15 Oct 1973, the Head Office and Registered Office of London Brick Co Ltd will be moving from Africa House to the following new address: London Brick House, 12 York Gate, Regent's Park, London NW1 4QL. Accounting procedures hitherto dealt with at our Head Office at Africa House will be transferred to the new Head Office at York Gate. Accordingly, all accounts correspondence and other associated matters and cheque remittances should be forwarded to the new address. As at present, routine enquiries to our Sales Accounts, Purchase Accounts and Haulage Accounts Sections should continue to be addressed to London Brick Co Ltd, Stewart House, 69-71 Bromham Road, Bedford MK40 2BL.
The Marketing Headquarters of the Company at present located at Africa House will move to York Gate, but the transfer will in no way affect the functions or responsibilities of the nine District Sales Offices located throughout the British Isles. These Offices will remain the primary point of contact with our customers and will continue to provide an efficient locally based service.
Whilst re-locating our London Office the opportunity has been taken to transfer the purchasing activities at present carried out at Africa House to the London Brick Purchasing Department at Stewartby. Accordingly, as and from 17 Sep all routine correspondence and enquiries relating to purchasing matters should be directed to: London Brick Co Ltd, Purchasing Department, Stewartby Works, Bedford MK43 9LZ. The Director in charge of Purchasing Department, Mr A Neville Meier, will continue to be based in London and after 15 Oct correspondence addressed to him personally should be directed to the new Head Office.
London Brick have been at Africa House for fifty years and the habits of a lifetime are hard to break. Will you therefore please make sure that all those staff who have to contact us are aware of the revised arrangements and in particular that after 15 Oct our Head Office address and telephone number will change. If we can have your assistance in this, then correspondence and telephone calls can continue to be dealt with promptly." Sep 1973
Letter from B K Jones, Department of Building, Luton College of Technology, Park Square, LU1 3JU: "You will know that a part of the ONC and HNC schemes is spent on the student's own project work. It is the policy of this department to base as many projects as possible on actual metric buildign schemes. Unfortunately it is extremely difficult for us to obtain suitable negative copies of project drawings from which we can make paper prints.
We are therefore appealing to the firms that send students to the College for any negative drawings of suitable schemes. The types of schemes we have in mind are fairly wide ranging varying from residential accommodation, schools, offices, hospitals, flats, shops and interesting or unusual projects, etc.,
Sets of drawings showing site plans, elevations, sections and plan views which are contained within a reasonable number of drawings are what is required. You will understand it becomes expensive to issue students with a full set of drawings if that set contains, say ten or more drawings, whereas a set containing one to five key drawings is ideal." 3 Oct 1973
Memo from Deputy County Architect 2 to All Principal Architects: "Perhaps you could kindly select one or perhaps two smaller jobs for the College and select the appropriate negatives. To help, Marion will arrange to get the copy negatives." 12 Oct 1973
Letter from Borough Architect, Luton to County Architect: "I have recently received a memo from our Borough Valuer in respect of Rating Procedure Plans for Local Authority, confirming that in the past, it has been the practice in respect of Local Authority projects for him to be sent two copies of the plans for building works, extensions etc., and to be advised when the works had been completed. Now that a large number of such projects with the Luton Borough Council boundaries will be carried out by the Bedfordshire County Council, he has requested that this service be continued." 24 May 1974
Letter from C R Buckley, Managing Director, London Country Bus Services Ltd, Bell Street, Reigate, to Chief Executive, Luton Borough Council: "As you will know this Company at present operates certain of its services from Luton Bus Garage, situated in Park Street. The total number of vehicles housed there is relatively small (some 20 buses and Green Line coaches) and these are employed partly in running the local service 360 between Luton and Caddington, but mainly on longer distance inter-urban services, i.e. Route 321 from Luton to Uxbridge, Route 366 from Luton to Welwyn Garden City and Route 714 from Luton to Dorking.
You will also be aware that the present garage owned by the Company is a very old building surrounded by a number of condemned buildings owned by a brewery and forming part of the area designated for redevelopment.
In the circumstances, and after consideration of the various factors involved, it has been decided to close the Company's garage in Luton and to transfer the operation of the services concerned to the Company's garages at St Albans, Hatfield and Garston. The provisional date of the closure is Sat 26 Oct 1974.
We are, of course, giving our staff employed at Luton garage the opportunity of transferring to any of these garages and we are hopeful that most of them will accept. It is by no means unusual in bus operation for services in a particular area to be worked by buses and crews from garages situated elsewhere, and this factor does not of itself influence the regularity or reliability of the services. The transfer of the Company's services from Luton Garage to neighbouring garages should not, therefore, preclude the maintenance of the existing standard of the Company' s operations in the Luton area." 9 May 1974 [received by Borough Secretary 17 May]
Reply from Borough Secretary: "The points raised in your earlier letter of 21 May [not here] are still under consideration by Officers of the County Council and I hope to be in a position to write to you again shortly. However, I have since received a copy of your letter dated 9 May addressed to the Chief Executive to the Luton Borough Council, and I am having some difficulty in reconciling its contents with those of your second letter to myself. I should accordingly be grateful if you would let me have some clarification of the position, particularly with regard to the closure of the Luton Garage and the future of your Company in Luton. I should also be interested to learn of any developments which have taken place between the dates of your two letters and which have apparently led to a change of decision as to the closure of the garage." 5 Jun 1974
Memo from County Valuer & Estates Officer to County Architect: "The County Council own 10 Castle Street Luton which has received damage to the fascia due to being struck by a lorry. The Building Surveyor of Luton District Council has inspected the property and in his opinion it is in no danger of collapse. I should be obliged however if you would arrange for repair work to be carried out and the costs submitted to the County Secretary so that he may reclaim them from the lorry driver's insurers." 25 Jun 1974
Newsletter from Lockhard Bennett Ltd; change of telephone number, offers, promotions, Christmas opening and large list of increased prices imposed by manufacturers dating from Oct 1974 (builders/decorators materials, prices not given); Dec 1974
Promotional leaflet from Lockhard Bennett Ltd, PO Box 9, Beale Street, Dunstable, LU6 1NA: "For the months of Jan, Feb, Mar and Apr 1975 we are offering free membership to all customers to three clubs, namely: The 1000 Club, The 400 Club, The 200 Club.
The qualifications are that purchases from Lockhard Bennett Ltd for each of these four months are £1,000, £400 or £200 respectively and that accounts are maintained to our normal conditions, the lower figure will be taken in any month to designate the club membership. In May the name of every customer qualifying will then be entered into the draw and the following prizes can be won: 1000 Club - 22" Colour TV; 400 Club - Stereo Radio/Record Player; 200 Club - Radio/Cassette Tape Recorder; received 17 Dec 1974
Letter from Borough Engineer, Luton, to County Secretary: "Liverpool Road Staff Car Park site has been transferred to the County and to the Health Authority and staff in Luton who are working for these Authorities have also been transferred onto this car park. The site is in need of attention as the surface is very poor, fencing almost non-existent, and rubbish and weeds abound. I have received a complaining memo from Library staff, three of whom have had cars damaged while they were parked there. Will you please liaise with the Health Authority to put in hand the necessary remedial work." 11 Oct 1974
Memo from County Valuer & Estates Officer to County Architect: "The land shown edged red on the attached plan [not here] has been transferred to the Bedfordshire County Council and I would be grateful if you would ensure that the necessary remedial works are carried out." 6 Jan 1975
Memo from J W Wilson, Senior Building Surveyor, Luton, to G Mathers, Chief Building Surveyor: "The car park belonging to this Authority, marked 'B' on plan attached [not here] measures approximately 22m x 26m. It is surrounded on two sides with a 1.2m high cleft chestnut fence, and on one boundary by a part cleft chestnut fence as above and part brick wall. The other boundary which adjoins the Health Authority car park consists of a 0.6m high retaining wall to counteract the difference in levels. There appears to be no advantage in fencing above the retaining wall unless gates are also provided and this would cost in the region of £160. The car park surface comprises gravel, and is clean and tidy. I can only assume that the remarks made by the Borough Engineer, Luton District Council, refers mainly to the Health Authority car park, which is in the condition he states, and is not under my control." 3 Feb 1975
Same memo as above from County Architect to County Valuer & Estates Officer; 11 Feb 1975
Memo from Deputy County Architect to T Wall, H Hartley, B Dickinson, I C Hill: "A visit has been arranged to London Brick Co on Thu 29 May at 11am and I should be glad if you would ask your 1st and 2nd year Architectural Trainees if they wish to join in - and if so to inform Mrs Margaret Davies." 26 Mar 1975
Letter from Mrs Suzanne Dix, Assistant to the Public Relations Officer, London Brick Co Ltd, to County Architect: "The visit will commence at 11am. Colonel Harvey, Public Relations Officer, will give a coloured slide lecture on brickmaking, and in particular the brick making process at LBC, also covering various other aspects within the Company, followed by lunch. After lunch there will be a tour of the Works and laboratories, finishing at about 3.30pm. I look forward to receiving approximate numbers for the visit." 23 Apr 1975
Letter from R W Laughton, 19 Queens Crescent, Clapham, Bedford, to Mr Allaway, Architect's Department: "I wish to inform you that the partnership of Laughton & Howe has now been dissolved and that Mr R Rowe of 7 Ivel Close, North Brickhill, will now carry out the work previously done by the partnership. I should like to thank you personally for the business that you have given us over the last five years which has contributed in no small way to the success we have had. I Feel confident that Mr Rowe will give you the same high standard of service in the years to come." 30 Apr 1975
Letter from Michael Drown, Marketing Director, London Brick Co Ltd, to Architect's Department: "Mr J E King, who has been District Manager of our Aylesbury District Sales Office since its inception in Mar 1968, will be retiring from the Company on 31 Oct 1975. We are pleased to announce that Mr T E Carron, whom customers in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire will already know, will be taking over as District Manager from this date. Mr Carron looks forward to continuing the cordial relationship that exists between our Aylesbury District Sales Office and the many customers it serves." 30 Oct 1975
Letter from E Spencer, Sales Manager, Lockhart Bennett Ltd, to J C Barker, County Architect: "It is with much pleasure that we extend an invitation to the preview of a Building Exhibition to be held in the Queensway Hall, Dunstable, on Tue 13 Apr 1976 from 7.30pm to 10pm. Over 50 National manufacturers will be displaying their products, the Exhibition will be open to the trade and public generally on the folowing two days. However, Preview Night is reserved for Architects, Local Authorities and selected guests, admission is by programme only. We sincerely hope that you will be able to join us for the evening. Light refreshments and a bar will be provided and it will greatly assist us in catering if you wil advise us if you intend to be present." 11 Mar 1976
Programme for the above mentions Depots at Beale Street, off Chiltern Road, Dunstable; 96a Kingsway, Luton; Collingdon Street, Luton; Leighton Road, Leighton Buzzard. Associated Companies: Tylers Timber Ltd, Leighton Road, Leighton Buzzard; Charles Bird & Sons Lts, 96a Kingsway, Luton; Lockharts Service Depot Ltd, Chiltern Road, Dunstable. With list of 59 exhibitors
Letter from Michael Drown, Marketing Director, London Brick Co Ltd: "When on 8 Dec we wrote to inform you of a reduction in prices, we indicated our view that the cumulative effect of cost increases, including those for road haulage, would make it unlikely that the price reduction could be maintained beyond the Spring of 1976. In the event, that assessment has proved correct and the cost of both manufacturing and distribution has continued to increase to the extent that an advance in both the ex-Works price of our bricks and in delivery charges has now become unavoidable. Our intention to increase prices has been notified to the Price Commission to whom all the relevant information has been supplied. The increases in ex-Works prices and delivery charges listed below are within the limits established by our application to the Price Commission and conform to the present Statutory Price Control regulations.
1) Ex Works Prices: As and from Thu 22 Apr 1976, the following increases in the ex-Works price of LBC bricks will apply: All Bricks (including Mixed Seconds) £1.11 per thousand; Calculon Bricks £2 per thousand
2) Delivery Charges: As and from the same date as the advance in ex-Works prices, an additional charge will be made for the delivery of all types of Brick. This will reflect the increase in the cost of distribution which we are now having to bear, and will vary with the distance from our Works. The increase is based on a 5-tier system as follows: 0-15 miles radius from Works or railhead - plus 29p per thousand; 16-35 miles - plus 44p per thousand; 36-75 miles - plus 74p per thousand; 76-105 miles - plus £1.12 per thousand; 106 miles and over - plus £1.37 per thousand
Following notification of these increases in prices and delivery charges, and in accordance with our Terms of Sale, all outstanding Quotations are advanced and all deliveries and collections ex=Works will be charged at the price ruling on the date of delivery or collection. Detailed information or clarification relating to the foregoing can be obtained from the LBC District Sales Office with whom you normally deal. They will be pleased to be of assistance. Unless they are notified to the contrary before Thu 22 Apr 1976 it will be assumed that you do not wish to cancel any orders or delivery instructions that you may have placed with us, and we shall continue with deliveries that we are scheduled to make on your behalf. It would be appreciated if you would bring this letter to the notice of all departments and/or individuals in your Company who should know of its contents. We thank you for your valued custom which we trust we shall continue to receive." 14 Apr 1976
Letter from R Robilliard, Contracts Director, London Demolition (UK) Ltd, 575-577 London Road, Isleworth, to P Raven: "We confirm our telephone conversation yesterday when it was decided that the large base which appeared to be some 3ft in thickness could be either a massive ring beam or the top of an underground structure. Your instructions were to leave this intact and fill be incorporated to the edge in such a manner as to raise the general ground level so as to form ramps in the immediate vicinity and avoid danger to children, pedestrians or other persons. We take this as an instruction and have acted accordingly." [no mention of project or location] 18 May 1976
Letter from J W Milne, General Manager, Lee Valley Water Co, Bishops Rise, Hatfield, to Secretary, Bedfordshire County Council: "For your information I enclose a copy of a notice which was published recently in the local newspapers. I have been approached by members of the public complaining that while they are being asked to economise in their use of water, they notice that large quantities are being used by the Local Authorities for watering grass and similar uses. I am sure I can rely on your co-operation in ensuring that water is used carefully and for the essential purposes only of your Authority." 24 Jun 1976
Notice to All Consumers: "During the past twelve months rainfall has been the lowest since records began over 200 years ago. The lack of winter rainfall, on which sources of water supply depend for replenishment, is particularly serious. Although the effect is less serious in this part of the country than in some other areas the position is being watched carefully. There is at present no restriction on any authorised normal usage of water, but the following request is made to all consumers: Please use water carefully now and help to reduce the risk of restricted supplies later in the year." 26 May 1976
Letter from County Architect to Miss J G Lavis, 36 Lewsey Road, Luton: "Your letter addressed to the Home Improvements Department, Bedford County Council, has been received by me and I am sorry to have to advise you that the County Council do not administer a Home Improvement scheme for private houses. This is left for the District Councils to operate and in your case it would be the Luton Borough Council, Town Hall, Luton. I am sorry therefore that there is nothing I can do to help you. I thought you would like your letter back, possibly to have another try with the Luton Council." 20 Dec 1976
Letter from Mr P Linton, 29 High Street, Westoning: "Regarding the letter I wrote to you on 14 Dec 1976 [not here] to which I have had no reply. If there is no action taken on the said properties [25-27 High Street] within the next seven days you will leave me with no alternative but to get in touch with my Solicitor with a view to taking action against you to make the properties safe as it doesn't seem you are interested until someone gets killed or injured and I don't wish that person to be me." 18 Jan 1977
Letter from Richard Kee, Logica Ltd, 64 Newman Street, London W1A, to County Architect: "We are writing to seek your assistance in providing data for research in which we are currently engaged. We are a management and computing consultancy and have been commissioned by the Saudi Arabian Government to undertake a programme of research and development of cost models for construction and urban development work. The objective is to develop methods of estimating construction costs and resource needs for a wide range of building and civil engineering projects. Estimates are required for budget allocation at the inception of the project, prior to any design activity, and so will be based on parametric and statistical techniques rather than on Quantity Surveying practice. As part of our initial programme of research we intend to build various models of school construction costs. In order to construct and calibrate these models it will be necessary to collect a large quantity of data. However, because of the difficulties of obtaining data in the Middle East we are attempting to collect construction data of schools built during the last 15 years in the UK. The figures will then be adjusted to take account of the various differences between the UK and Saudi Arabia. We are therefore hoping that Local Education Authorities will be able to provide us with data from their own school building programmes. We would be extremely grateful for access to any cost information on schools which have been constructed by your authority during this period. We are interested in data analysed in accordance with the BCIS standard form of cost analysis, but we would also be very pleased to be able to analyse any raw unstructured data which may be available in the form of Bills of Quantities, etc., Any data which might yield the resource (labour, material, plant etc.,) breakdown of the total costs would be particularly useful. We shall also be writing to your Council's Chief Education Officer, Mr D Browning, regarding this matter. If you feel that you could be of some assistance we would appreciate a prompt reply as we are currently in the first stages of model building. Also if you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you." 8 Jun 1977
Reply: "I am enclosing copies of the analyses of ten differing types of school buildings [not here] and trust these will be of some value to you in your research. If I can be of further help please let me know." 22 Jun 1977
Letter from Laurence Gerrard & Co, Chartered Accountants, Adam House, 14 New Burlington Street, London W1X, to County Architect regarding S T Harvey & Co Ltd (in Liquidation): "I refer to your letter of 6 Jul, which reached us considerably later due to our change of office to the above address. You will have spoken in the interim to various parties representing me, but I felt compelled to write directly to you because of the terms of your letter. At present a Contractor is back on all the three sites referred to, finishing the work concerned, but I would add that I am a Chartered Accountant, acting as Liquidator for a Company, not a builder, and only agreed to undertake the work and finish these sites to benefit the Creditors of this Company and your good selves after you agreed to pay promptly. You gave my representative Mr Henry Guest a categorical assurance that if we agreed to finish the work you would pay. Meanwhile through your Architects many of thousands of pounds remain unpaid both for work done prior to the date of my appointment and subsequently. The extent of the sums that you owe are so large that my firm have had to outlay and take responsibility for thousands of pounds to ensure that the work would be completed. The reason for any possible delays can be laid squarely at your door through your Architects apparent refusal to release large sums due to me, which has meant that parties employed by me to complete the work at your request could not continue to work without payment. Perhaps I in turn can have your assurance that all sums due will be released without further prevarication and that your Architects be instructed to co-operate with my representatives Mr Henry Guest of this firm and John Bugden and Associates without prevarication and any further delay. There is little encouragement for professional Insolvency Accountants to complete works as the experience with the Employers is too often that which I seem to be experiencing on your jobs." 29 Jul 1977
Letter from Mr S J Luff: "I am a first year student studying architecture at Kingston Polytechnic and at present we are beginning a building study on a personally chosen building. I have chosen the Queensway Civic Hall, Dunstable, and therefore require a substantial amount of information on it. Most importantly I require a set of plans of the building, details of ventilation, heating, insulation, acoustics, construction details, materials and so on. I would, therefore, be very grateful indeed for any information, whatsoever you are able to let me have and perhaps, any other sources of information on the building." received 4 Jan 1979
Reply from County Architect: "I am very sorry that I cannot help you with this as the building was not the responsibility of the County Council and I therefore had no part in the design. I am sure the building was originally designed under the direction of the former Dunstable Corporation which in 1974, on Local Government reorganisation, became part of the area of the South Bedfordshire District Council. I suggest you write to their Development and Works Executive whose address is Sundon Road, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, as no doubt he will have the plans and records of the former Dunstable Corporation. I thought, rather than forward your letter to him, you would prefer to make a fresh direct approach." 12 Jan 1979
Letter from G & G Leach Bros, General Builders, to Mr Whitmore, County Architect's Department: "I am writing to inform you that as from 1 Mar 1979, G & G Leach Bros will then trade under the name of VicPly Ltd. I apologise for the lateness of this notification, but this was due to an error by the Registrar of Companies." [Directors: Mr G R Leach, Mr G A Leach; Company Secretary: Mr G R Leach] 22 Feb 1979
Letter from Mrs R M Webb, Langford, to Bedfordshire County Council: "I write to enquire after a piece of derelict land in High Street, Leagrave, opposite 'Strangers Way' and I believe next to No. 152 High Street. The reason for writing is that for quite a few years now this has remained undeveloped, and was for some years in the possession of a Mr Lionel Hull (now deceased), and my Mother, Mrs Ada Mary Sharpe, nee Hull, is under the impression that this could not have been sold, and therefore, could be her property. Is there any way you could clarify this? If I have not sent this letter to the appropriate authority, perhaps you would let me know the alternative." 3 Mar 1980
Reply from County Architect: "I regret that I cannot give you very much help in tracing the owner of the land, other than to confirm that it is not in the ownership of the County Council, but you might like to approach the Valuer's Department at Luton Borough Council to see whether they have any local knowledge about the land. Alternatively, you could try HM Land Registry at Brickdale House, Danestrete, Stevenage, although I personally think you may be more successful with the Luton Borough Council approach." 6 Mar 1980
Letter from M Hooft, Company Secretary, Lillywhite Landscape 1976, 10 Vincent Road, Leagrave, to Bedfordshire County Council: "Would you please note that as from 26 May 1980 the Registered Office of Hawkfinch Ltd trading as Lillywhite Landscape 1976, was changed from 28 Nappsbury Road, Luton LU4 9AL, to 37 Vincent Road, Luton LU4 9AW. Would you please amend your records accordingly and acknowledge receipt of this notification." 30 May 1980
Letter from P A Kreamer, Marketing Director, Lesser Design and Build Ltd, The Lesser Building, Staines Road, Hounslow, to Chief Executive, Bedfordshire County Council: "By Apr next year, if the legislation, which has already passed through parliament, reaches the statute book, you will not be able to build the new offices you need. This is because such significant capital expenditure will then be controlled by Central Government. If, however, you make a start before Apr 1981, all will be well. We are advised that contracts let and funded on what is best described as a hire purchase basis cannot be retrospectively legislated against. We can design, price and begin construction on whatever you want by then. And we can fund it through a reputable merchant bank. But there is not a lot of time left for us to arrange it." 24 Oct 1980