Background

20 West Street, Wilton – The Property

The property at West Street is itself interesting in that it was originally built in the mid 1300’s at which time it had a mud floor and thatched roofing. The dating of the property was discovered by the Historical Society from one of the series of roof trusses. In the early days there was a fire in the centre of the floor and the family congregated around it.

By the end of the 18th Century, the property had become a Coopers and we know from the fire mark which exists on the property (hence the name Old Mar House) that the property was insured by the Sun Insurance for just over £200 and we do have a copy of that policy of insurance.

A number of additions were made to the property, and the central chimney was put up in the 1700’s.

The road outside the property is actually the A30 which used to be part of the main road which led to the west. The level of the road is approximately 2 feet above the original floor level of West Street and it was explained to us that this had developed during the First World War. At the outbreak of the war the road was no more than a track. With the invention of tanks, considerable rubble was thrown on to the road to enable them to grip the road on their way to provide equipment for the forces in France. At the end of the war, no attempt was made to clear the rubble and the structure of the road was simply laid on top of the many tons of rubble. For this reason it is impossible to use the fireplace which exists on the ground floor of 20 West Street.

The property is made from old ships timbers with the wooden dowel joints and there are a number of historical features of interest within the property which is a Grade II listed building.

At the time of making changes to the building in approximately 1994, it was hoped to move what had been the office car park to what is now a walled garden behind the offices. Previously the car park had been in a location in which another property has subsequently been built. However, the Historical Preservation Society were not prepared to agree with their opposite members who are planners, and allow the car park to develop because of a wall that runs alongside Crow Lane. It does look precarious, but we understand it is one of the oldest walls of its type in the area.

Bryan Little