CLARENDALE
The pictures above show the cricket field in about 1966 before and Clarendale was built. Just behind the large tree is a pond, which is under the 'green' now
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In 1966, land which had previously belonged to Stephen Ryder of Great Bradley Hall was sold in order that a mixed development of 40 homes could be built. By the time all these homes were occupied, the population of the village had increased by 50%, and it is probably of value today, when great concern is being expressed over the "dying'' villages of Suffolk, to consider the change brought about by the advent of such a development in a rural area. Woodland Park Estates developed Clarendale Estate (as it was initally called) over the mid to late 1960s on the field previously used as a cricket pitch. A pond in the field disappeared and is now under the green in Clarendale
Tony Mills sent us this in 2007, following an email from Dennis Boreham about the Great Bradley football team
Re: The football club. The football field was on a meadow behind Evergreen Lane houses which is now the Clarendale development. Yes they did lose most of the time - and lose by double figures! The teams used the pub called The Fox Inn (which is now a priate house) for their changing rooms before making their way up to Clarendale for the match. |
The 'Western' style
The 'Ditton' style
The 'Montcalm' style
The 'Kingston' Style
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Apart from a Clarendale Road in Exmouth and a Clarendle Street in London, this is the only Clarendale in the country.
The four basic designs of houses were named
Three bungalows were added to the plans (No.s 31 - 33). They were originally going to be the Western style houses The detailed drainage maps (see below) show which house is which style. Tony and Marie Knight recall moving into No. 7 Clarendale in April 1968 when only 12 of the 40 houses had been built. Their house in the mid price range, was bought for £4,050: Some of the 12 houses were rented to Americans from Lakenheath and Mildenhall bases. Development of the site was slow for, in the latter stages, a house was built only when a plot was sold. In the early stages the site presented several hazards for young children: there were uncovered drains and piles of rubble covered in weeds. This probably was the main reason for the formation of a residents' association. Alan, the brother of the builder Jimmy Miller, moved into No. 2 Clarendale. Residents of Clarendale quickly integrated into village life and, despite occupying the cricket pitch, received a friendly reception from long time village residents. Many of the properties were purchased at a reasonable price when compared to the market price of properties in the more heavily populated areas, particularly those in Cambridge. Whilst most people moving on to the estate originated from other areas of the country, young couples whose families had lived in the immediate area of the village for many years and who did not wish to leave their familiar environment but to remain within the village structure, were also accommodated. In other Suffolk villages where such development was not permitted, it is impossible, for economic reasons, for young people to purchase a property, and so a decline in population began. |
Clarendale Green in 2021
A new footbridge was added to cross the ditch at the end of Clarendale near number 10 in 2019
Bungalaows in Clarendale 2021
Then house numbering on Clarendale isn't always obvious
Early Maps of Clarendale
These are the earliest maps we have of Clarendale, showing the final lay out of the houses. (complete with sellotape!). Right-click to download
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More Maps of Clarendale
Detailed Maps
These maps are pretty detailed and even show the where the drains should be located. The letters D, K, W & M on the plans refer to the style of house (Ditton, Kingston, Western and Montcalm).
Click on the file to download it. 
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Planning Permission Maps
These maps were submitted with the planning permission to build Clarendale. A difference from the maps to the left is that three houses have been replaced by bunglaows (Nos. 31 - 33)
Click on the file to download it
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