- Historical Context: The Garden Village
- The Creation of the Memorial Gardens
- Recognition for Silver End
- Heritage Value and Significance
- Interpretation Plan

______________________________________________________________________________

Historical Context: The Garden Village:

`Metal Window Kingdom of Happiness`, A Village of Straight Lines`, `Silver End City of 2000AD`, or less flattering, `Communism in Essex Village`.

These were just a few of the headlines from the popular press of the 1920s and early 1930s, which described the first garden village in Essex and the last model village created by an industrialist.

Built between 1926 and 1932, Silver End was a practical response by the metal window frame manufacturer, Francis H Crittall, to the circumstances of its time with ever increasing problems of housing shortages and slums, unemployment and unrest and the unresolved problem of disabled ex-service men.  It also provided a solution to the particular problems of housing the increasing size in workforce of his company, which could no longer be accommodated within Braintree.

The new community at Silver End was to be a twentieth century utopia and was the perfect way to express Crittall’s theory that decent living conditions far from harming company profits would actually increase productivity. At the very heart of the village, space was allocated for an open space which is today occupied by Silver End Memorial Gardens. 

<Back to top>
______________________________________________________________________________

The Creation of the Memorial Gardens:

In the original design of the village, the area of open space in front of the `Manors`, Francis Crittall’s home on Francis Way, was designed primarily for recreational purposes.  Originally, this area included only a bowling green, putting green and tennis courts.  Memories of local residents, recollect the time when people use to come from outside the village to enjoy the refreshments at the Tea House, followed by a pleasant game of tennis or a game of mini-golf on the nine hole putting course.  At this time the recreation area was not enclosed and a main pedestrian road was carved out across the site of the park between the `Manors` and the centre of the village, which Crittall used as a short cut to the shops and factory.  Sections of the original concrete road can still be seen at the entrances to the park.

It was not until after the war that the Memorial Gardens took on its present design.  A village committee was formed in 1948 made up of younger members of the Crittall firm and elected villagers, with one of its first assignments to establish an attractive garden in memory of Francis Crittall and his wife Ellen as well as to mark the centenary of the firm.  Extracts from the Silver End Community Council minutes show progress updates on the park through its construction period.  The garden was constructed in phases with some work starting in 1948. The major ground formation and tree planting would probably have been undertaken first but it appears that the Japanese Garden was the first element of the gardens to be finished, as indicated by an inscription on a nearby plaque:

“Walter Francis Crittall designed this garden in memory of his parents Ellen Laura and Francis Henry Crittall.  It was opened 6th May 1950”.

Two original design plans dated 4th July 1951 of slightly differing designs survive and although neither was implemented exactly, it can be noted that the final layout closely resembles that which was conceived by the designer.

- Interpretation Plan

The opening ceremony of the Memorial Gardens took place outside the Memorial Gates in 1952, attended by Lord Braintree (Valentine Crittall), the Crittall family and local village residents.  These gates were machine-made and built from sections of metal window frames which were produced at the Silver End Factory.  The inscription on the gates read as follows:

“These Gardens are dedicated to the memory of Francis Henry Crittall founder of Silver End"

"These gates and lamps were made by the voluntary labour past and present in grateful memory of the Guv’nor and his wife”.

This more than anything else in the village, gives a clear indication of the respect and affection felt by the families who came from all over the country to work for Francis H Crittall.

A second set of gates were dedicated to the memory of `Pink` Crittall who designed the gardens.  These were opened in 1956 and the inscription reads:

"1887-1956 These gates and railings were made and presented by the Crittall employees in memory of Walter Francis Crittall `Mr Pink`".

The gardens were designed by W.F `Pink` Crittall, one of Francis Crittall's sons.  The gardens were laid out with a variety of features including a central avenue of trees, double herbaceous borders, a sunken rose garden, a wisteria covered pergola and a children’s play area.  Recollections of some residents, indicated that the park was originally divided into two sections, by a fence with a play area for children and the formal gardens for the peaceful enjoyment by adults.  Children were only allowed here if accompanied by an adult.  There is no record of when this fence was removed, but there are no plans to re-erect this fence.

The main feature of this garden and one which makes it stand out from most public gardens, is the Japanese Garden embodying much of the Eastern design that Francis Crittall and his son "Pink" so admired.  The Crittalls often brought back artefacts from their frequent trips abroad, including giant oriental jars which they placed outside the Silver End Hotel and in their own garden.

Originally the Japanese Garden was entered via stepping stones (which still exist) through a Torii arch (which has been lost.) This is a traditional symbol of Japan, providing an entrance to the garden along the stepping stones.  The Torii Gate is a sacred Shinto structure and denotes that space beyond is both pure and revered.  At the heart of the Japanese Garden lies a pond bisected by a "zig zag" concrete bridge.

The staggered form of the bridge is based on an early bridge design of flat stones supported by rock piers.  The path of the bridge was staggered to prevent a person being chased by devils, as they could only walk in straight lines!  The design of the Japanese Garden followed traditional designs as planting was minimalist with features including bamboo and a willow tree planted amongst boulders set in turf.  During the clearing of the pond, the remains of a waterfall and bog feature were discovered.  Upright logs were used to form the edge of the pool.

There is also photographic evidence showing a `Yukimi-gata` or snow-viewing lantern, recognisable by the broad hat and no shaft and just 3 or 4 legs under the base of the lamp housing. 

Another feature of the Gardens is the heather garden set amongst large boulders on the mound behind the pond.

There used to be a shelter in the Gardens, near the main gates; the site is now occupied by the memorial stone dedicated to Lord Braintree (Valentine Crittall).

The Japanese Garden at Silver End is one of very few gardens of its type which are open to the public.  Tatton Park in Cheshire is a fine example owned by the National Trust, built in 1910 by Japanese gardeners, in which maples, moss-covered stones, an arched bridge and a Shinto temple set the scene.  The Kyoto Garden in Holland Park, Central London was built in 1991 and includes similar features to those which existed at Silver End, such as the snow-viewing lantern and waterfall running to a pool.  The ‘pbi/ Sumitomo’ Japanese Garden at Capel Manor Horticultural and Environmental Centre, provides an opportunity for the visitor to view the three styles of Japanese garden -the Paradise Garden, the Dry or Zen Garden and the Tea Garden.

<Back to top>
______________________________________________________________________________

Recognition for Silver End:

Most of the original village of Silver End has survived relatively unaltered.  It has benefited from sole ownership, firstly by Crittall Limited and now, by Braintree District Council.

Combined with the importance of Silver End as a model ‘garden village’ and its contribution to the early ‘Modern Movement’ in architecture, several steps were taken to help conserve and enhance the village.  These included the designation of a Conservation Area on 7th January 1983, the introduction of an Article 4 Directive on 16th March 1983 and the preparation of environmental improvement schemes.  The Conservation Area boundary has been drawn tightly around the original ‘garden village’ to include the village centre and the Memorial Gardens. 

<Back to top>
______________________________________________________________________________

Heritage Value and Significance:

Silver End Memorial Gardens is listed in Part 1 of the handbook entitled ‘Historic Designed Landscapes of Essex’ which covers the District of Braintree and was published by the Essex Gardens Trust in 2002.

The park was fully restored in 2005 with the aid of a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Gardens are much valued by the community both as a highly attractive open space and as a well-preserved link with the past that still has much relevance to life today.

<Back to Top>