Pumpherston
South Village
coordinates:
55°54'18.89"N,
3°29'21.26"W
location: in Pumpherston
village, West Lothian, off B8046
former parish: Midcalder
current
status:
mostly extant and occupied
date
constructed: from c.1890?
owner/builder: Pumpherston
Oil Co.
"
The Pumpherston Oil Company own 220 houses in this village,
which is situated about one mile north from Mid Calder.
These houses are built of brick, and rough-cast or cement-washed.
In a number of cases, however, the back of the house, which
faces the drying greens, is neither rough-cast nor cement-washed,
and this presents an unfinished appearance.
There are about 173 houses consisting of room (12 ft by
11 ft, also bed-recess and press), kitchen (14.5 ft by 11
ft, also two bed-recesses), scullery (7.5 ft by 6 feet)
with sink and water-closet. A washhouse is provided for
every four tenants. The rental is 2/6 to 2/9 per week, inclusive
of rates. In the case of thirty-six of these houses, the
room and kitchen are approximately 11 ft by 16.5 ft each,
and the scullery is 10 ft 5 inches by 7 ft 8 inches, which
contains sink, set-in tub, boiler, and water-closet. There
are nineteen houses consisting of three apartments, and
all conveniences as above, let at from 4/- to 4/9 per week.
Then there are 27 single-apartment houses, with scullery
and water-closet, let at 1/6 per week, inclusive of rates.
Some sixty houses are built back to back.
A
good supply of gravitation water is obtained, and a good
drainage system exists. The refuse is collected daily by
the Company, from dustbins provided to each tenant. The
gardens are made good use of by the workers, and present
a good appearance in the season.An Institute, with a good
library and hall, exists. There is also a bowling green
in the centre of the village, for all of which the workers
subscribe weekly.The total number of houses in Pumpherston
district is 260, and in Mid Calder 335, with an approximate
population in the two districts of 2990 persons."
Theodore
K. Irvine, Report on the Housing Conditions in the Scottish
Shale Field, 1914
Architectural
drawing of housing at Pumpherston dated 1902
Pumpherston
South Village, viewed from the South, with company villas
(left). October 2009
Pumpherston South Village. October
2009.
"The
Pumpherston Oil Company has almost completed the erection
of two rows of workman's houses. comprising 48 tenements,
and have in contemplation the erection of as many more in
the consequence of the rapid extension of their trade. The
houses are large, well built, and superior to most miner's
housing in respect of accommodation and internal fittings.
The new buildings, situated on rising ground about 200 yards
below the present village, are sheltered on the east and north
by a strong plantation, and from a sanitary point of view
occupy a desirable situation. This addition will undoubtedly
be a great advantage to the Company, in respect of having
their men concentrated at their work, while the regular rates
payable by their occupiers will secure the Company a good
interest on the outlay."
West
Lothian Courier 11th August 1888 |
