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Summary

Description

Geoffry Lucas, circa 1917. Simple garden suburb picturesque brick-built rectory; 2 storeys with rear wing, door on E flank; 3-bay elevation to Annan Road with advanced inner bay, small-paned windows with timber mullions and transoms. Pair ridge stacks; piended slate roof.

Statement of Special Interest

This rectory, with its prominent chimney stacks, is a significant addition to the main street in Gretna village. The building is of red brick - an unusual residential building material in Scotland - and has some decorative features in the brick detailing above the windows and the advanced central bay. The top storey windows are set close to the roof line and this, together with the deep eaves also add to the architectural interest of the building. Gretna was designed along Garden City principles, which included the use of small groups of housing with accessible green space.

Built in 1916-18, the town of Gretna was constructed to provide housing and community facilities for the workers of the nearby munitions factory. The government was concerned during the course of the First World War that there was a lack of ammunition for the British troops, and it commissioned a large munitions factory to be built. This stretched for 9 miles along the banks of the Solway and produced Cordite explosives. Thousands of workers were brought in from around Britain and Ireland to work at the factory and temporary timber and more permanent brick housing was erected to accommodate the builders of the factory and its workers. The township was designed along Garden City lines, with green spaces surrounding the houses, with a wide, central street with shops and community facilities and other, curving streets. The chief designer, Raymond Unwin was appointed by the government, with Courtnay M Crickmer acting as the resident architect. As well as housing, the workers and their families required buildings to provide for leisure and the township included several churches, a dance hall, a school and a cinema. After the war, the factory was dismantled and only a few remnants of it remain.

Raymond Unwin (1863-1940) was one of the most important figures in early 20th century British town planning and was the overseeing architect for the development of Gretna and the neighbouring town of Eastriggs. He advocated high standards of design for social housing and informality of planning. He worked predominantly in England and is perhaps best known for his planning of Letchworth Garden City and Hampstead Garden Suburb.

C M Crickmer, (1879-1971) was a London based architect who was the architect in resident for the designing of Gretna township. He also worked with Unwin at Letchworth and Hampstead Garden Suburb.

Geoffry Lucas (1872-1947). His practice was based in Hichin, Hertfordshire and he worked predominantly in this area. He carried out some work for Hampstead Garden Suburb. All Saints Episcopal Church and Rectory are his only known buildings in Scotland.

Notes and References updated, 2012.

References

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