IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Victory Drive, MORPETH, NE65 9PA

As far as I know there are only two of these houses with mansard roofs in Swarland. They date from the 1930's when the Swarland Settlement was built by the Vyner family of Fountains Hall near Ripon. The Vyner's philanthropic scheme saw the construction of dwellings of different sizes, each with a generous 1.5 acres of land, and with encouragement to be at least partly self sufficient. The incomers were unemployed workers from the industrial north east, and apart from the smallholdings there was also the prospect of work in a local brickworks, a sawmill and a weaving mill - all provided by the Vyner family. The scheme didn't last long as many of the inhabitants were tempted back to Tyneside etc to work in industry or the mines once the second world war began. Nowadays the large plots have been sold off and divided into individual house plots with a real mixture of housing from the 1970's to the present day. This is an interesting site, but it is best to walk around with a local person who knows what to look for.

I believe there are only one or two of these flat roofed bungalows left undeveloped in Swarland. This is an example of the smallest type of property constructed by the Vyner family of Fountains Hall near Ripon for unemployed workers and their families from the industrial north east during the 1930's. The properties came with a generous amount of land [1.5 acres] with the possible addition of apple trees and livestock in the form of pigs. Apart from the smallholdings, work was provided locally. Other bungalows were larger and with pitched roofs. Several of these survive, but most have been added to.

One of the few references of the Vyners left in Swarland. The park is named after the Vyner family of Fountains Hall near Ripon who established a settlement here in the 1930's. The philanthropic scheme lasted from the 1930's until 1947 when the Fountains Northumberland Trust offered settlement house for sale, whilst since 1970 the smallholdings in which the houses stood have been divided and built on. See other photos in this square and in NU1602 of original settlement houses.

And new sports pavilion in far distance in front of the trees.

A recreation ground in Swarland.

Looking south east at the junction.

The new sports pavilion at Swarland, part of a well used new facility in the village.

Situated in The Square, Swarland.

The old hub of the now much dispersed Swarland.

With newly surfaced pavement and refurbished verge. Approaching Swarland County First School.