Westhill Estate

Its been in our family history for longer than I care to remember so it was
with renewed interest that I stumbled upon this booklet on my shelf
today in the flat.  Sitting in the morning sun, I once owned this
house and what a dwelling it turned out to be.
I had come from London where like all Londoners I didnt really
enthuse too much about moving out to the sticks ... I felt that
I was happier in London ... my job was there ... my friends ...
and I were relunctant to put down roots in deepest Hampshire.
I was persuaded by Alfred Pearson & Son Winchester to read
their booklet dated 1971 in which they described 9 Executive
Houses currently ready for occupation which were within
easy reach of London, and there was a fast commuter train
service to Waterloo so I could continue working there in
spite of the difference in lifestyle.  Besides, the housing
was much cheaper  than  London and if one could combine
a higher salary which London offered with lower prices
for housing, in the country, then you were in the money!
This house was dutifully purchased and there was no doubt
it was ideally situated and it had wonderful panoramic views
of the beautiful City of Winchester and its famous environs
such as The Cathedral of Winchester and The Water Meadows.
All my London friends appeared to enjoy staying at my family
residence a la executive style ... and it is now fondly described
as a "great buy" in my family saga history.
The most appealing aspect of this house was its spanking
new-ness, and one sultry afternoon, the Boss turned up
on my doorstep - he said at that point in time that he had
heard so much about my Executive House that he decided
to pay a visit to it ... in person.   He was truly impressed
and the occasion afforded an exchange of pleasantries,
with my two small sons in tow .. he and I had a cuppa
and talked over how I had planned to continue working
in London with my present commitment.  In later years
I returned to London as suggested and worked and
commuted from Winchester on the fast line to London
Waterloo!
Golly!  those were the days of brand new executive
housing at an affordable price ... I look back through
rose coloured spectacles, at a bygone age of magnificence.
Happy reading .. keep on reading ...