The History of the Elmesthorpe Private Road Association

The Elmesthorpe Private Road Association is a community, formed in the 1930s. Originally known as the Elmesthorpe Land Settlement Association, it was split into holdings, which were sold off to the first residents and farmed by them to provide more farm land and fresh produce production as a way to battle shortages due to war and the economic depression. LSAs across the country were formed to help unemployed miners from Wales and the North East.

The Elmesthorpe scheme was part of a broader government initiative started in 1934 under the Land Settlement Association, intended to address unemployment caused by the Great Depression, particularly among industrial workers.

Families who settled were not only provided holdings but also received agricultural training and mentorship, ensuring they could transition from industrial to rural life successfully.

The overall land settlement was split into 44 holdings. The 44th holding was later pulled down around 1969–1970 to make way for the sewers to be installed, helping to modernise the area and bringing it closer to the luxury location it is considered to be today.

The holdings were allocated to families of the unemployed miners, who were trained in and made responsible for various aspects of farming. Farming of the land included fruits, vegetables, pigs, fish and more. These families farmed the land, becoming self-sufficient and contributing to the war efforts with their produce.

Church Farm served as the administrative and logistical heart of the Elmesthorpe LSA, where supplies were distributed and farming outputs were centrally collected, weighed, and sold.

As an LSA, all produce was expected to go through the central farm office, located at Church Farm for distribution to wholesale markets, making the LSA financially viable and overall profitable, allowing for future growth and continuous farming for years to come.

1940s

Throughout the 1940s, the LSA focused on establishing a sustainable agricultural community. Residents cultivated crops, raised livestock, and utilised greenhouses to maximise food production. The community spirit flourished, with social events and gatherings becoming a vital part of life in Elmesthorpe. The establishment of the Sunday School provided educational and social opportunities for the children of the LSA and the greater village.

1950s

The 1950s marked a period of growth for the Elmesthorpe community. In 1952, residents came together and celebrated the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, demonstrating the tight-knit bond amongst the community, where everyone knew everyone.

The Sunday School also continued to play a crucial role in community life, providing educational resources and social activities for children and families in the area, helping to contribute to the relationship amongst the community and connecting families of the LSA with the wider Elmesthorpe community.

1957 saw the arrival of the new manager, Mr Carr. Mr Carr had plans to push for the LSA to go fully horticultural, growing produce including cauliflower, celery, tomatoes and more. This changed the focus of the LSA, increasing the growth of fresh produce.

1960s

The 1960s unfortunately saw changes in the LSA. The poplar trees that lined the road into the settlement (Bridlepath Road) were felled due to disease. Some residents left and many new residents arrived as the country began to urbanise at a faster pace, pushing more and more people, including residents of the LSA to seek careers in towns and cities, such as Hinckley, Nuneaton and Leicester. The UK economy had shifted and agriculture was no longer such a strong focus as more and more produce was imported from other countries.

1960s to 1983

At some stage between the 1960s and 1983 (specific dates are unfortunately unknown) Historian Leo Sutton travelled to the Elmesthorpe LSA, capturing archival imagery of various things taking place on the site and the holdings themselves. Images were captured and archived of things including weed control methods, soil sheds, offices, crops and more, freezing the LSA in time forever in history.

The archival images captured by Sutton can be found stored here in the Museum of English Rural Life: https://rdg.ent.sirsidynix.net.uk/client/en_GB/special/search/results?qu=Elmsthorpe&te=&lm=MERL2

These images exist as part of a wider archive of LSAs across the country, managed by the University of Reading and the Museum of English Rural Life.

1970s

The 1970s saw further development to the area. The 44th holding was pulled down at the end of the 1960s into the early 1970s, making way for sewers to be put in, connecting the houses in the area to the greater network.

This development drove the LSA to growth and modernisation, bringing it towards the community it is today, with large, well-built, high-value dwellings lining the roads, operating as its own community.

2000s

Onwards of the 2000s, the LSA was privatised and rebranded as the Elmesthorpe Private Road Association, agricultural use now forming a minority of the use of the holdings which now are used as full time residential dwellings.

Over time, smallholdings were consolidated, greenhouses removed, and outbuildings repurposed or demolished. Residential development gradually replaced intensive horticulture.

Today, while farming is no longer the focus, the community maintains a unique identity through the Elmesthorpe Private Road Association, preserving elements of its agricultural past while stewarding the area for current and future residents.

Moving forwards, this online archive of the Elmesthorpe Private Road Association is designed to capture and collate the history of the association for future generations, preserving history as it happens.