A brick mosaic - showing the silhouette of an aircraft – incorporated into the road on a residential street in Hucclecote has been restored by Bovis Homes
The mosaic was installed in 1998 to mark the fact that the Bovis Homes properties were built near a site that was once home to the Gloster Aircraft Company.
Sharon Nash, regional marketing manager for Bovis Homes, said: “The history of this area is very important as Gloster played an important role both as an aircraft manufacturer and a major local employer. We were happy to reinstate the West End Lane mosaic and I’m sure everyone walking by will be interested to see that it is now back as it was, reminding them of the area’s illustrious aircraft manufacturing heritage.”
Aircraft images were formed at two locations in the area during the construction of the homes – on West End Lane, at the junction with Montgomery Close, and on Berkeley Close. In the brick surfacing of each road the shape of an aircraft was picked out in contrasting bricks.
But several years ago, when some repairs were carried out on West End Lane, the bricks were put back in the wrong place, so the image was no longer complete. Residents asked Bovis Homes if it would restore the image and the company agreed to do so. On 16 October, residents and Bovis Homes representatives gathered to see the completed renovation.
Hucclecote Parish Council member Andrew Pugh said: “The Gloster Aircraft Company and the planes it produced are historically very significant, so I’m sure the residents of this area will be delighted. The aircraft industry in Gloucestershire has been part of our families' lives over so many decades, through providing employment to multiple generations. Here in Hucclecote, Gloster will always be remembered as an iconic part of our community, and we are proud and delighted that this is now being recognised through the revived image and plaque.”
Bovis Homes is part of Vistry Group, which also includes Linden Homes and Countryside Homes.
