Banksia Given a New Lease of Life

At the heart of village life for more than a century, Banksia, an impressive detached house built in Awbridge in 1909, has been given a new lease of life. Arguably as good as new, with the many advantages of modern building and renovation technology, the house is once again a comfortable family home.

Frank Hurst, a local builder and undertaker, had vision and skill which he used to create Banksia for himself and his family.  His son, Raymond was born in the house and lived there until his marriage in 1936 when he built his own house just along the road.  That house is now lived in by his great grandson.

Raymond's sister Brenda continued to live at Banksia until her death in 2011.  Raymond's daughter Linda continues the family tradition and still lives in the village. 

Bearing in mind the family business.  The large plot in which Banksia was built also served as a builders yard with many outbuildings.  In keeping with the times, the family was also fairly self-sufficient with a productive vegetable garden and cows kept to supply milk for the family with the surplus providing a useful income. 

During the Second World War several evacuees made their home at Banksia, lending a welcome helping hand to the family with the upkeep of the land in this time of need. 

In 2016 Hazeley Developments bought the house and land and have undertaken a major refurbishment of the house, drawing on its architectural style for the construction of the adjacent new house. 

Hazeley Developments would like to thank everyone in the village for their patience during the project which will ensure Frank Hurst's legacy is preserved for years to come.