Apple Cottage

 

1948 plans for bungalow for C Baker in Button End - Apple Cottage

(CRO)

 

Advert for Apple Cottage, Button End Mar 2012

(Deacon)

 

Apple Cottage Button End 2015

(Griffin)

 

Mar 2017 land cleared to right of Apple cottage

(Roadley)

 

Orchard behind new Plymouth Brethren Hall looking to west; once Apple Cottage 2020

(Roadley)

 

Baker bench next to 22 Button End 2020

(Roadley)

Christopher Baker bought the site as an 8 acre orchard and then a hut was transported from Grantchester Meadows to serve as a house. Planning permission was granted in 1948 which allowed a cottage to be built in two stages whilst the hut remained on site. .The land on which “Serotina” and “Carefield” are situated  was originally part of the 8 acres around Apple Cottage.

Over the years there were numerous additions and extensions to the cottage which took its original area from 35m²  to 160m² plus outbuildings. The house was sold in 2012 and in 2014 planning permission was granted for demolition of buildings on the site and the construction of a three-bedroom house. click link here

The large area surrounding the house was given over to fruit and vegetable growing with apple orchards and glasshouses. Christopher sold organic vegetables in Mill Road from 1981 when he retired from agricultural research on chemicals and definitely up until 1999 and likely afterwards. Part of the orchard remains today (2020) and the outline of the glasshouses can be seen.

Christopher(D:2010), wife Mabel and family of eight children ( Barbara,  Peter, Tim, John, Lucy, Judith, Philip and foster brother David) lived there for many years.

A bench dedicated to Chris and Mabel’s son, Philip (“Sten”) stands on Button End near No 22.