Sowing seeds of green living

Coffee break 2

QUESTION

What is the story of the Garden City movement? The Garden City was the dream of the Victorian social reformer ebenezer howard, described in To-Morrow: A Peaceful Path To Real Reform in 1898 and Garden Cities Of To-Morrow in 1902.

It was his solution to the overcrowding and industrial pollution that blighted Victorian cities.

he believed that ‘human society and the beauty of nature are meant to be enjoyed together. Town and country must be married and out of this joyous union will spring a new hope, a new life, a new civilisation’.

A Garden City was to be 1,000 acres set within a 5,000- acre girdle of agricultural land.

At the centre would be a large public garden, with six tree-lined boulevards radiating out, thus dividing the city into districts.

Factories and warehouses would be on the edge of the city, with sidings connecting to the railway line running through the estate. Fundamental to the plan was howard’s socialist view that every citizen would be a shareholder, with profits ploughed back into civic facilities, rather than being paid to absent landlords or speculative investors.

Letchworth and Welwyn, both in herts, were the first garden cities. With their low- density planning, attractive houses and proximity to London, they are highly desirable today — and not as affordable as howard planned.

Abi Jordan, Bedford.

QUESTION

Was racing driver Tom Delaney still competing at 95? FURTheR to the earlier answer, Delaney Gallay made more than vehicle and aircraft heating and cooling systems. I fitted one of its full harness safety belts in my racing car in the mid-Sixties.

Evan Portlock, Tonbridge, Kent.