Belton in the 20th Century

Of growing concern to the Parish Council in the early 20th century was the state of the roads and road safety. The existing roads were not designed for the new motor vehicles and overhanging trees, high fences and sharp bends were a problem. Increase in motor traffic in the early years of the century caused damage to gravel roads and threw up a great deal of dust.

Working with the Lothingland District Council road junctions were altered, in particular the junction at the Crossways. The Automobile Association were also approached for help in supplying danger signs.

In 1924 Station Rd South was resurfaced with granite tarmac. The following year Station Rd North which was in a very bad state was rebuilt using over 400 tons of flint to give it a new foundation. Improvements were then made to New Rd and St Johns Rd in 1927/28. By 1928 Belton Parish Council were congratulating Lothingland on the condition of the parish's roads, now resurfaced with tarmac.

Roadmen's wages at this time were 25 shillings (£1.25) per week basic rate, 28 shillings (£1.40) for a 48hr week in winter and 29 shillings (£1.45) for 50 hrs in the summer. Despite the increase in motor traffic, there were still many horse drawn vehicles. As late as the 1930's there was a village blacksmith, Henry Payne, shoeing horses. After the War he retired to a new council house in Dashwood Close.

Taking in laundry continued in the 1920's and 30's. Henry Terrace on Station Road South was known as 'Soapsuds Terrace' because of the washing done there. Monday and Tuesday were washing days, Wednesday and Thursday were ironing days and Friday was packing up. The customers were the boarding houses in Great Yarmouth.

There were still fishermen in Belton and at New Year there was a service of thanksgiving in All Saints Parish Church for their safe return after the autumn herring fishery. The church was decorated with nets, lamps and lifebouys and an anchor made of white flowers was placed on the War Memorial table.

In 1932 the Parish Council asked Lothingland to build council houses in the village. Lothingland District Council agreed and early in 1934 H A Holmes & Sons of Great Yarmouth began work on eight houses in Sandy Lane for a total of £2,200. Six of the new tenants came from Belton, one from Browston and one from St Olaves. The rent was five shillings (25p) per week plus rates. For an extra 3d (1p) you could rent a shed as well. Although the houses were modern they were still supplied with water from a well like the rest of Belton. They were the first council houses in the village.

In 1933 a family of 2 adults and 3 children were found living in a laundry shed in Sandy Lane. The adults were unemployed and unable to get a house to rent that they could afford. They probably could not have afforded a new council house.

A 1936 survey of the 187 dwellings in Belton and the 31 dwellings in Browston found only one case of overcrowding. That was in Sandy Lane. It is possible the standard for overcrowding was lower then, as 8 persons were allowed in each of the new Sandy Lane council houses. That seems high today.

Belton and Bradwell were combined for purposes of representation on the Lothingland Council in 1934. The two parishes could only send 3 representatives between them instead of two each as before.

In October of that year there was a discussion on whether Belton and the neighbouring parishes should be connected to mains water supply. At that time houses in Belton were still supplied by water from wells and pumps. The Parish Council thought there was already an abundant supply of good water in Belton. They claimed that cases of contamination were 'almost unknown in the memory of the village'. It was decided mains water was unnecessary.

Since 1931 mains electricity had been available to houses in Belton but it would be a while before it was taken up by everyone. People were used to oil lamps for lighting their homes and did not immediately want electrical appliances. In 1935 Great Yarmouth Electricity Department gave terms on which they would supply street lighting to Belton. This offer was not accepted.

1935 was the Silver Jubilee year of King George IV who came to the throne in 1910. Celebrations were discussed and it was decided to hold a Jubilee tea for the children in the Institute, with games on the Common and a souvenir mug presented to each child afterwards. The cost was covered by subscriptions.

After the war the community wished to show its appreciation of those who joined the forces. A Welcome Home Fund was set up and fundraising concerts, whist drives and phat drives were held. (Phat is a card game, rarely played now it seems).

It was decided that the money would be best spent on buying and laying out a playing field for the parish. Previously the only playing field was on the Common where the ground was very rough.

In 1946 five acres of land off Bell Lane, near the Church, was bought from Mr E Guyton for £460. A Trust Deed was drawn up and the Parish Council agreed to act as trustees. The Deed stated that the playing field was to be used for the benefit of the inhabitants of Belton and Browston.

There was a big demand for houses after the war due to war damage and the need to house those returning from the services. In 1948 it was noted that a house in Henry Terrace, Station Rd South, which would normally have cost £500, was at that time worth £950. In the same year more council houses were begun in Belton. This new road was called Dashwood Close after Col. H. R. Dashwood of Caldecott Hall, former Chairman of the Lothingland Housing Committee. Water was supplied from a well by an electric pump, but the houses were of the latest design. Dashwood Close was not connected to a mains water supply until 1958. Rent was 17 shillings (85p) per week plus rates. In 1965 ten more houses were added to the Close.

In 1952 Lothingland Council wanted a name for the council houses on Sandy Lane. The Parish Council recommended Goffin Terrace. Sandy Lane had been called Goffin's Lane in the 19th century after Thomas Goffin a carpenter and builder who lived there. A new development was the licensing of 40 caravans and 20 tents for the Sunfield Caravan Site on Belton Common, for S H D Sinfield. This new development was not popular with everyone and later there were complaints that the lack of mains water on the site had created unsanitary conditions.