RECORDS OF R.A. LARKIN & BROS. LTD., BUILDERS, BEXHILL-ON-SEA

LAR

RECORDS OF R.A. LARKIN & BROS. LTD., BUILDERS, BEXHILL-ON-SEA

1922-1982

Contents

Introduction

Appendices

A Concordance of numbers of Larkin 'in-house' plans

B Concordance of numbers of Edgar Bunce/Bunce & Rider Plans

C Concordance of numbers of J E Maynard/R E G Harrison Plans

The Records

LAR/1 Account Books, etc

LAR/2 Estimate Books: R A Larkin

LAR/3 Estimate Books: Major Developments

LAR/4 Leasehold and Managed Properties

LAR/5 Various

LAR/6 Prints of plans

LAR/6/1-575 Bexhill (alphabetical by street)

LAR/6/576 Battle

LAR/6/577-8 Catsfield

LAR/6/579-80 Crowhurst

LAR/6/582-595 Ninfield

LAR/6/596-598 St Leonards

LAR/6/599 Willingdon

LAR/6/600 Kent: Tonbridge

LAR/7 Tracing Plans : Larkin 'In-House' Series

LAR/8 Tracing Plans : H D Hyde

LAR/9 Tracing Plans : Tubbs & Messer

Mr R A Larkin founded in Bexhill in 1924 the builder's firm which, until it was taken over by Prowtings in 1988, was responsible for the modern residential development of much of the town. In a lengthy interview for the Bexhill-on-Sea Observer in 1970 (LAR/5/9) Mr Larkin claimed to have built by then almost 2,000 homes: the pre-war ones he described mainly as 'nice little bungalows' (though he also worked on larger houses, especially in Cooden), with bigger properties after the 2nd World War for a clientele some 95% of whom came from the London area (often to retire). He was essentially a speculative builder, buying and developing sites to the extent of about 85% of his total business. As a trained draughtsman he planned his own developments and made the preliminary drawings for most of the buildings on them, which he then employed local architects to 'tidy up for submission to the Town Council', as he put it. Several local architects' work is thus represented here, though to what extent the surviving plans represent their own ideas as opposed to Mr Larkin's is not immediately evident. 'R.A.' took particular pride in varying the designs of individual houses, while aiming for the overall harmony of particular developments. He regarded Birk Dale as one of the most satisfying of his sites

Reginald A Larkin was born in Tonbridge, where he trained as a draughtsman, an occupation which he was able to continue with the Royal Naval Air Service during the First World War. For a time thereafter he found employment in Lancashire and Wales (cf.LAR/1/1 for his work in Warrington), before moving to Sussex in 1924 and setting up in business in Bexhill. His early years locally are illustrated by account books, and he was shortly joined in partnership by his brother John C ('Jack') Larkin. In 1933 he bought and established as his business headquarters Woodsgate Place, the former home of Lord Joicey. During the 1930's he began planning and developing major sites, beginning with Leasingham Gardens, and moving on to Walton Park, Woodsgate Park, Whitehouse Farm and parts of Cooden. Bancroft Road and the Readley Estate (part of Grange Court Drive) just preceded the war. Two interesting promotional brochures of 1933-4 survive to illustrate this period (LAR/5/6,7), and one of c.1937 (LAR/5/17)

Business was largely confined to military work during the war, after which council housing in Little Common and Sidley was the priority (though there was also some conversion of large houses in Dorset Road and elsewhere into flats). 'R.A.' was joined at this time by the third brother, Mr G J W ('Geoff') Larkin. Private housebuilding got under way again in c.1948/9, with developments from the 1950's including Grange Court Drive, the Highlands Estate, Ward Way, Broad View, the Collington Manor Estate, and Birk Dale (see Birk Dale brochure, LAR/5/8). The Barnhams, Gorseway and Hurchington followed in the 1960's, and in the late 1970's there were plans for a major development west of Ellerslie Lane. These late developments are sometimes best illustrated by estimate books in the LAR/3 series, rather than by plans

On 18th May 1954 the firm was incorporated as R A Larkin & Bros Ltd, and in 1977 it took over the Sand & Beach Supply Co Ltd (incorporated 1937), of which however no records are available here. It is evident from these records that from the 1960's at least Larkin Holdings Ltd owned and leased out flats and garages, while the parent firm managed other properties over the same period which were owned by Daresbury Holdings Ltd

Associated Architects

The 'in-house' Larkin plans series is numbered up to no.655 (May 1940), of which none survive before no.99 (April 1936). Of these about 140 survive as prints (LAR/6 series) and 277 on tracing paper (LAR/7 series). For a concordance, see Appendix A. From 1938 many plans bear the initials or name of Hubert A Hambling, architect, who probably worked earlier with Tubbs and Messer (below)

It was Tubbs and Messer (Cyril B Tubbs and A A Messer) of Endwell Chambers, Bexhill, and Westminster, who probably undertook much of Larkin's architectural work before 1936. Their 78 printed plans here are unnumbered, and more often than not undated, but they are most probably all of 1930-6, though the firm is listed later in directories. (See also some tracings, LAR/9 series). Their work is featured in the Larkin brochures of 1933-4 (LAR/5/6,7). Presumably Tubbs & Messer were succeeded or represented by Hubert Hambling, who gives the same address on plans in the Larkin series of 1938-40, though by 1943 he is described as of Catsfield. Tubbs & Messer were responsible especially for some of the larger houses in Cooden, and for developments in Leasingham Gardens (c.1933) and on the Walton Park Estate (1933-4)

Another architect who designed many houses built by Larkins was John E Maynard of 1 Collington Avenue, Bexhill. He was succeeded in 1953/4 by Roy E G Harrison of the same address, and there are 85 Maynard/Harrison plans here, of 1929-1960, in the 1024 - 3835 range of their plan numbers (for concordance, see Appendix C). Maynard's work is fairly well scattered geographically in Bexhill, though he did originally lay out the Whitehouse Farm Estate for Larkins in 1933-6. He designed some particularly ambitious houses in South Cliff

The other architect principally represented in the 1930's is Edgar Bunce of 25 Sea Road, Bexhill, who in c.1950 was to go into partnership with Lionel S Rider as Bunce & Rider. Bunce was probably originally associated with the earlier well-known Bexhill firm of Riches & Gray of the same address (see ACC 5139 for a set of plans) and was agent to the De La Warr Estate. He is represented by 78 plans here, of 1930-1956, in the firm's 294-1196 range of plan numbers (for concordance, see Appendix B). As with Maynard, Bunce's work is scattered around Bexhill, but in later years he designed much of the post-war part of Grange Court Drive (1948-1953, see Readley Estate), and Ward Way (1954-1956)

At a slightly later date the firm of Lionel Heather & Evenden of 17 & 19 Devonshire Road, Bexhill, is well represented (65 plans, dated 1948-1971). Lionel Heather had, however, been in practice for some years prior to 1949, and there is also here one stray plan of 1927 (LAR/6/267) representing the then firm of Virley & Heather. Major groups of the firm's plans here include the Highlands Estate, 1954-7, and The Barnhams, 1964-6. Probably it was the same firm, renamed LHE of Battle, which designed much of the proposed development west of Ellerslie Lane in 1977-82. Plans of this firm are numbered, but not chronologically

The other architect to be substantially represented is H D Hyde of 14 Sea Road, Bexhill, whose 47 tracing plans (undated and unnumbered, but probably of the mid-1950's) are listed here in a separate series (LAR/8/1-47). Hyde was responsible for many houses on the Collington Manor Estate. There are occasional plans by other local architects, including J H Lye in the 1930's, and Kenneth G Higgs in the 1950's

APPENDIX A

Concordance of Larkin 'In-House' Plans, comprising original plan no; reference to tracing; reference to print

99; LAR/7/1; LAR/6/492

100; LAR/7/2; LAR/6/461

104; LAR/7/3,4; LAR/6/493

105; LAR/7/5-7; LAR/6/89

107; LAR/7/8; -

109; LAR/7/9; LAR/6/494

111; LAR/7/10; LAR/6/58

112; LAR/7/11,12; LAR/6/59

113; LAR/7/13; -

114; LAR/7/14; -

118; LAR/7/15; -

119; LAR/7/16,17; LAR/6/511

120; LAR/7/18; -

121; LAR/7/19,20; LAR/6/367

123; LAR/7/21; -

125; LAR/7/22; -

129; LAR/7/23,24; -

130; LAR/7/25; LAR/6/496

131; LAR/7/26; LAR/6/512

132; LAR/7/27; LAR/6/60

134; LAR/7/29; LAR/6/462

135; LAR/7/30; -

136; LAR/7/31,32; -

138; LAR/7/33,34; LAR/6/279

141; LAR/7/35,36; LAR/6/290

142; LAR/7/37,38; -

143; LAR/7/39; LAR/6/208

144; LAR/7/40; LAR/6/495

145; LAR/7/41,42,43; LAR/6/463

146; LAR/7/44,45; -

147; LAR/7/46; -

149; LAR/7/47; -

153; LAR/7/48; -

154; LAR/7/48,49; -

157; LAR/7/50; -

158; LAR/7/51; -

161; LAR/7/52; LAR/6/497

162; LAR/7/53,54; -

164; LAR/7/55; -

165; LAR/7/56; -

166; LAR/7/57,58; -

168; LAR/7/59; -

169; LAR/7/60,61; -

170; LAR/7/62; LAR/6/294

173; LAR/7/63,64; LAR/6/464

178; LAR/7/65-67; LAR/6/513

187; LAR/7/68; LAR/6/514

189; LAR/7/69-71; -

191; LAR/7/72; -

194; LAR/7/73; LAR/6/498

197; LAR/7/74,75; LAR/6/211

198; LAR/7/76; -

199; LAR/7/77; -

200; LAR/7/78,79; LAR/6/465

201; LAR/7/80; LAR/6/466

206; LAR/7/81,82; LAR/6/1

211; LAR/7/83; LAR/6/418

214; LAR/7/84; LAR/6/94

219; LAR/7/85; -

223; LAR/7/86; LAR/6/3

228; LAR/7/87,88; LAR/6/515

229; LAR/7/89,90; LAR/6/363

230; LAR/7/91; -

235; LAR/7/92; LAR/6/291

236; LAR/7/93; -

237; LAR/7/94; -

243; LAR/7/95; -

244; LAR/7/96; -

248; LAR/7/97; -

249; LAR/7/98; LAR/6/467

250; LAR/7/99,100; -

251; LAR/7/101; LAR/6/4

256; LAR/7/102,103; LAR/6/517

257; LAR/7/104-106; -

259; LAR/7/107; LAR/6/372

260; LAR/7/108; LAR/6/373

263; LAR/7/109; LAR/6/151

264; -; LAR/6/579

265; LAR/7/110; LAR/6/468

266; -; -

267; LAR/7/111; -

268; LAR/7/112; LAR/6/5

272; LAR/7/113,114; LAR/6/6

274; LAR/7/115,116; LAR/6/419

275; LAR/7/117; -

276; -; LAR/6/469

277; LAR/7/118,119; LAR/6/7

285; LAR/7/120,121; LAR/6/61

286; LAR/7/122,123; LAR/6/219

287; -; LAR/6/470

288; LAR/7/125; LAR/6/220

289; -; LAR/6/8

295; LAR/7/126,127; LAR/6/209

296; -; LAR/6/518

297; LAR/7/128,129; LAR/6/500

298; LAR/7/130,131; -

299; LAR/7/132,133; LAR/6/9

304; LAR/7/134,135; LAR/6/471

306; -; LAR/6/10

307; LAR/7/136; -

310; LAR/7/137,138; LAR/6/11

311; LAR/7/139; LAR/6/472

313; LAR/7/140; LAR/6/12

314; LAR/7/141; LAR/6/473

315; LAR/7/142; LAR/6/474

316; LAR/7/143; LAR/6/475

318; LAR/7/144; -

319; LAR/7/145,146; LAR/6/118

320; LAR/7/147,148; LAR/6/519

321; LAR/7/149; -

322; LAR/7/150; -

324; LAR/7/151; LAR/6/2

325; LAR/7/152; -

327; LAR/7/153; -

330; LAR/7/154,155; LAR/6/520

331; LAR/7/156,157; LAR/6/351

332; LAR/7/158; -

333; LAR/7/159; LAR/6/95

334; LAR/7/160; -

335; LAR/7/161; LAR/6/13

336; LAR/7/162,163; LAR/6/500

337; LAR/7/164,165; LAR/6/476

338; LAR/7/166; -

339; LAR/7/167; LAR/6/477

340; LAR/7/168; LAR/6/14

342; LAR/7/169; -

344; LAR/7/170; -

345; LAR/7/171; -

346; LAR/7/172; -

347; LAR/7/173,174; LAR/6/286

349; LAR/7/175-178; LAR/6/521

350; LAR/7/179,180; -

351; LAR/7/181; LAR/6/478

352; LAR/7/182; LAR/6/479

353; -; LAR/6/480

354; LAR/7/183-185; LAR/6/522

355; LAR/7/186,187; LAR/6/420

356; LAR/7/188; -

357; LAR/7/189; -

358; LAR/7/190; LAR/6/47

359; LAR/7/191,192; -

360; LAR/7/193,194; LAR/6/524

361; LAR/7/195-197; LAR/6/228

363; LAR/7/198; -

364; LAR/7/199,200; LAR/6/516,532

365; LAR/7/201,202; LAR/6/295,296

366; LAR/7/203,204; LAR/6/525

368; LAR/7/205-207; LAR/6/365,366

369; LAR/7/208; LAR/6/96

370; LAR/7/209; -

371; LAR/7/210,211; -

372; LAR/7/212; -

375; LAR/7/213; -

376; LAR/7/214-216; LAR/6/352

377; LAR/7/217,218; LAR/6/163

378; LAR/7/219; -

381; LAR/7/220; LAR/6/236

382; LAR/7/221; -

387; LAR/7/222; -

385; LAR/7/223; LAR/6/164

388; LAR/7/224; -

389; LAR/7/225; LAR/6/526

395; LAR/7/226,227; LAR/6/504

400; LAR/7/228; LAR/6/482

401; LAR/7/229,230; LAR/6/527

403; LAR/7/231,232; -

406; LAR/7/233,234; LAR/6/528

407; LAR/7/235; -

408; LAR/7/236,237; LAR/6/529

409; LAR/7/238,239; LAR/6/530

411; -; LAR/6/15,80

413; LAR/7/240; LAR/6/531

414; LAR/7/241,242; -

415; LAR/7/243; -

416; LAR/7/244; LAR/6/483

417; LAR/7/245,246; LAR/6/152

456; LAR/7/247; LAR/6/281

485; LAR/7/248,249; -

486; LAR/7/250; LAR/6/288

487; LAR/7/251; -

491; -; LAR/6/580

493; -; LAR/6/97

495; -; LAR/6/98

497; -; LAR/6/99

499; -; LAR/6/292

501; -; LAR/6/153

502; LAR/7/252; -

503; -; LAR/6/154

508; LAR/7/253; -

520; LAR/7/254; -

523; -; LAR/6/119

525; -; LAR/6/533

531; -; LAR/6/313

532; -; LAR/6/120

533; -; LAR/6/534

537; -; LAR/6/535

538; -; LAR/6/484

545; LAR/7/255; -

552; LAR/7/256; LAR/6/100

554; -; LAR/6/330

555; -; LAR/6/331

560; -; -

561; LAR/7/257; -

562; -; LAR/6/577

571; LAR/7/258; LAR/6/536

584; -; LAR/6/333

590; -; LAR/6/334

592; -; LAR/6/327

593; -; LAR/6/329

594; -; LAR/6/335

597; -; LAR/6/332

608; -; LAR/6/336

609; LAR/7/259; -

614; LAR/7/260; -

615; LAR/7/261; -

628; LAR/7/262; LAR/6/90

629; LAR/263; -

633; LAR/7/264; -

655; LAR/7/265; -

APPENDIX B

Concordance of Bunce/Bunce & Rider Plans, comprising original plan no.; reference to print

- (1930); LAR/6/125

- (1934); LAR/6/146

- (1935); LAR/6/126

294; LAR/6/179

380; LAR/6/442

517; LAR/6/230

529; LAR/6/185

535; LAR/6/585-7

538; LAR/6/353

546; LAR/6/347

565; LAR/6/588

601; LAR/6/591

603; LAR/6/385

611; LAR/6/222,223

621; LAR/6/568-670

648; LAR/6/338

675; LAR/6/453

698; LAR/6/188

701; LAR/6/592

732; LAR/6/593

748; LAR/6/355

809; LAR/6/339-344

812; LAR/6/178

816; LAR/6/86

817; LAR/6/85

840; LAR/6/49

852; LAR/6/541

853; LAR/6/542

855; LAR/6/543

867; LAR/6/55

870; LAR/6/189

890; LAR/345

905; LAR/6/421

906; LAR/6/213

910; LAR/6/314

917; LAR/6/315

918; LAR/6/545-549

919; LAR/6/104

951; LAR/6/284

967; LAR/6/429

970; LAR/6/70,71

971; LAR/6/72

977; LAR/6/124

978; LAR/6/73,74,424,427

983; LAR/6/75

994; LAR/6/50

999; LAR/6/52

1046; LAR/6/430

1048; LAR/6/53

1057; LAR/6/431

1080; LAR/6/433

1098; LAR/6/311

1136; LAR/6/434

1139; LAR/6/435

1168; LAR/6/426

1196; LAR/6/436

APPENDIX C

Concordance of Maynard/Harrison Plans, comprising original plan no.; reference to print

- (1929); LAR/6/378

- (1930); LAR/6/91

- (1930); LAR/6/44

- (1930); LAR/6/175

- (1930); LAR/6/216

- (1931); LAR/6/381

- (1932); LAR/6/320

- (1936); LAR/6/460

- (n.d.); LAR/6/160

1024 (1931); LAR/6/217

1136a; LAR/6/539

1147; LAR/6/280

1159; LAR/6/444

1183; LAR/6/438

1186; LAR/6/266

1188; LAR/6/382

1221; LAR/6/144

1291; LAR/6/455

1295; LAR/6/383

1335; LAR/6/321

1425; LAR/6/456

1430; LAR/6/457

1444; LAR/6/458

1482; LAR/6/56

1519; LAR/6/92

1573; LAR/6/349

1579; LAR/6/439

1580; LAR/6/207

1584; LAR/6/392

1585; LAR/6/393

1640; LAR/6/312

1664; LAR/6/147

1704; LAR/6/384

1708; LAR/6/309

1723; LAR/6/359

1730; LAR/6/360

1737; LAR/6/148

1739; LAR/6/93

1742; LAR/6/149

1744; LAR/6/310

1750; LAR/6/79

1810; LAR/6/361

1820; LAR/6/440

1885; LAR/6/57

1894; LAR/6/488

1899; LAR/6/489

1916; LAR/6/490

1935; LAR/6/491

1951; LAR/6/218

1954; LAR/6/210

2004; LAR/6/561

2025; LAR/6/510

2059; LAR/6/459

2194; LAR/6/451

2477; LAR/6/364

2892; LAR/6/370

2915; LAR/6/326

3073; LAR/6/538

3093; LAR/6/354

3095; LAR/6/582

3096; LAR/6/583

3097; LAR/6/584

3119; LAR/6/183,184

3167; LAR/6/303

3169; LAR/6/87

3201; LAR/6/235

3265; LAR/6/446-8

3270; LAR/6/186

3459; LAR/6/386

3476; LAR/6/231

3516; LAR/6/594

3550; LAR/6/161

3577; LAR/6/380

3588; LAR/6/168

3599; LAR/6/169

3600; LAR/6/170

3602; LAR/6/171

3657; LAR/6/348

3764; LAR/6/165

3790; LAR/6/66

3835; LAR/6/379

English

9 Series

Records less than 30 years old are subject to restricted access

Deposited on 27th April 1988 by Mr G.J.W. Larkin (Acc 5023, with a further instalment transferred from Bexhill Museum on 7th October 1988 (Acc 5141), and LAR/5/17 deposited March 1989