Hope Folly Demolition

Demolition of Hope Folly
Hilary Worboys nee Ridout
Demolition of Hope Folly
Hilary Worboys nee Ridout
Demolition of Hope Folly
Hilary Worboys nee Ridout
Bungalow at back of Hope Folly during demolition
Hilary Worboys nee Ridout

Hope Folly was finally demolished in late 1967 and a bungalow erected in the garden. Some of the hardcore for the bungalow came from the gas holder.  Luckily the builders remembered, just before plunging in a pick axe into it, that it might still have had some gas in it so took bits off carefully for fear of an explosion.

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  • The ‘Builders’ of the bungalow were the whole Ridout family – I think the only outside help we had was the architect, and he miscalculated the footings which ended up being strong enough to hold up a three storey house! When we were hunting out suitable hardcore, myself and John headed up to the top of the garden, armed with a pickaxe, to break up the ‘lump of bricks’ buried up there – then either Bill or Bob realised what we planned to do and said that it was a gas holder and there might still be gas in it from back in the gas works days. A spark from the pick hitting a brick could have been interesting!!! But all was well – no explosions!

    By Hilary (21/03/2024)

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