RYELANDS ESTATE THE HISTORY

Long before there was any buildings on the area we now know as Ryelands,going as far back as 1796,the land was then known as High Bland Field. There were farms on either side of this field on one side the Vale Farm on the other side Scalehall farm although at the time they may have had different names,and I do not know if the High Bland Field belonged to either of them. And when Ryelands House was first built the owner was twice mayor of Lancaster ,Jonathan Dunn. It was built in 1836.

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In 1874 the house was purchased by James Williamson who later became Lord Ashton. He lived there until his death in 1930,he died without leaving a will so his lands and properties were sold at auction. Towards the end of January 1931,a big stride was made by the Lancaster Corporation by the purchase of Ryelands for the sum of thirty eight thousand pounds. It was in 1931 that there was a large increase in the population in the Skerton area,and Councillor James Hodkinson J.P. who was chairman of the Health committee was pleased with the quicker housing process now that Ryelands had been purchased.

26th February 1932 Lancaster Guardian:

The go ahead in principle to the building of a mixed secondary school to accomodate 320 pupils. If necessary it would be capable of extending to accomadate 640 pupils.With this scheme they provided for the new population increase of Skerton. However they were told by the Education Authority to build for their present needs and not for the estimate that would be required when the houses on the Ryelands Estate are built.\line They said a school for 320 pupils would meet the immediate needs and suggest using the house at Ryelands for use as a girl's school and to build only what is required for boy's.

29th April 1932 Lancaster Guardian:

At the outset Councillor Dirkin asked if any stipulation for LANCASTER labour had been included in the contract for the Ryelands Estate.

29th April 1932 Lancaster Guardian:

The go ahead to build the Skerton school was given to accomodate 420 pupils.

From the Lancaster Guardian Friday 27th May 1932

The tenants were vetted for the 50 houses on Ryelands in order of thier need,and there was some controversy about the lettings procedure.The original list had been 1,600 which had been lowered down to 188 on the list;councillor Clark demanded that another 100 houses should be built.

1st July 1932 Lancaster Guardian:

Councillor Mrs Hulme in moving the adaption of the minutes of the Health Committee,asked for permission to withdraw the minutes referring to claims for compensation in the respect of the removal of greenhouses on the allotments on the Ryelands Estate;it was carried. A call for a further hundred houses on Ryelands was repeated.

3rd September 1932 Lancaster Guardian:

The official stone laying ceremony at the Skerton School site, the Mayor of Lancaster W.Proctor J.P. laid the ceremonial stone. For the whole School project the cost was seventeen thousand and five hundred pounds.

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Rent amounts

Rents on the Ryelands Estate from April 1933 were six shillings a week for a three bedroomed house and six shillings and seven pence a week for four bedrooms.Elsewhere rents could rise to seven shillings and six pence a week.It doesn't sound a lot but remember average working class wages were only about three pounds at the time. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Lancaster Corporations Minutes suggest Lancaster's first council houses were advertised to prospective tenants.Later schemes were involved with slum clearences,properties were allocated to families cleared from demolished streets.Council housing is now allocated using a points system based on need.

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