Cotswold Village To be Modernised

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 41, 18 February 1938, Page 11

Cotswold Village To be Modernised

AMERICAN BRIDE’S GIFT. Because the American bridle of a British general’s son fell in love with the beauty of a Cotswold village, its 65 inhabitants are to have their 16thcentury cottages completely reconstructed. There will be no marring of the village’s ancient beauty. Beams and leaded windows will be preserved, but each cottage will be provided with a bathroom, main drainage, electricity and running water. The Lady Bountiful of the scheme is Mrs Anthony Gillson, formerly Miss Priscilla Ogden Dickerson, of New York, who married the younger son of Brigadier-General Godfrey Gillson in November, 1934. She and her husband recently bought the old Manor House, between Chipping Norton and Stow-on-Wold, on whose grounds the village of Cornwell stands.

Mr Clough Williams-Ellis, the architect who is carrying out the scheme, said that when Mr and Mrs Gillson bought the manor they decided to have it completely 1 ‘ done over. ’ ’ Then Mrs Gillson, who was greatly charmedby the village when first she saw it, determined that the village, too, should have its modern comforts. The villagers are delighted at the prospect, especially as these amenities will probably not add anything to the rents of their cottages, which at pre3nt range from 2s 6d to 3s 6d a week.