Harlow, Essex - page from the "New Towns Exhibition 1959" catalogue
The 1959 catalogue from the New Towns exhibition includes descriptive text on all fifteen UK New Towns that were under development at that date and the 1960s would see a second wave of ones designated. Amongst the earliest to be formed, amongst the "London Ring" was Harlow that grew from an existing Essex small town and surrounding hamlets of 4,500 people to a new town of 48,000 by 1959, on the way to the target of 80,000. Harlow was famous for several things including the description of it as "Pram Town" given the number of infants and children that helped fuel the population boom amongst the families who had moved out from congested London boroughs. In fact the number of children was to give the Development Corporation and local authorities several problems, notably around the number of school places and the provision of health services. The latter was based on a pioneering scheme, int he town's neighbourhoods, of health centres and the involvement of the charitable Nuffield Foundation. Here a GP checks 'a new resident' at the Keats House heath centre in the Bush Fair neighbourhood. As Doctor does his job Mother looks on along with the baby's sister!
Harlow's other great claim to fame is the number of commissioned artworks and sculptures that still adorn the town and that are a roll-call of mid-20th century British artists including this by Henry Moore. Commissioned by the Harlow Arts Trust it is very appropriately "Family Group" and is now on display in the Gibberd Gallery, named after Sir Frederick and Lady Gibberd whose conenctions with Harlow range from being the chief planner and architect, patrons of the Arts Trust and long-term residents.
Harlow, Essex - page from the "New Towns Exhibition 1959" catalogue
The 1959 catalogue from the New Towns exhibition includes descriptive text on all fifteen UK New Towns that were under development at that date and the 1960s would see a second wave of ones designated. Amongst the earliest to be formed, amongst the "London Ring" was Harlow that grew from an existing Essex small town and surrounding hamlets of 4,500 people to a new town of 48,000 by 1959, on the way to the target of 80,000. Harlow was famous for several things including the description of it as "Pram Town" given the number of infants and children that helped fuel the population boom amongst the families who had moved out from congested London boroughs. In fact the number of children was to give the Development Corporation and local authorities several problems, notably around the number of school places and the provision of health services. The latter was based on a pioneering scheme, int he town's neighbourhoods, of health centres and the involvement of the charitable Nuffield Foundation. Here a GP checks 'a new resident' at the Keats House heath centre in the Bush Fair neighbourhood. As Doctor does his job Mother looks on along with the baby's sister!
Harlow's other great claim to fame is the number of commissioned artworks and sculptures that still adorn the town and that are a roll-call of mid-20th century British artists including this by Henry Moore. Commissioned by the Harlow Arts Trust it is very appropriately "Family Group" and is now on display in the Gibberd Gallery, named after Sir Frederick and Lady Gibberd whose conenctions with Harlow range from being the chief planner and architect, patrons of the Arts Trust and long-term residents.