Houses on New Road

Image: © Penny Mayes Taken: 18 Nov 2018

Use of coloured brick decoration is typical of Victorian buildings in Newtown and the surrounding area. There are several examples on New Road, some more elaborate than others. This decoration usually consists of patterns of yellow brick against a basically red brick building. The semi-detached in the centre, Park Villas (dated 1875 on the central cartouche) goes against this trend with a largely yellow brick facade decorated with red. I suspect the yellow bricks were more costly, if only because they had to be bought in from further away, so this building may have been a status symbol. The patterned chimneys are splendid. It's hard to tell in this shot but the southwest end is hung with slates to protect it from the worst of the weather. Not an uncommon practice here and also seen on the end of the next terrace on the right.

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