VILLAGERS in Hilperton celebrated the 60th anniversary of the UK’s first self-build housing association on Saturday.

Forty local men banded together in 1953 to form the country’s pioneering association of self-builders.

Without an ounce of building experience between them, they got together to build 40 houses for themselves and each other.

For the next five years, not one of them reneged on their pledge to commit until the very last house on the Marshmead estate was completed in 1958.

Mrs Shirley Sloper, 62, who organised the celebration, was the third child of Victor Northcote and his wife, Josephine.

They were the first couple to move into 1 Marshmead on July 18, 1954 with their two elder children, Brian and Audrey.

She said: “I just wanted to recognise the remarkable achievement of those original 40 pioneers.”

Although the association was wound up in the 1980s, there are still a few association members living in Marshmead. They include Mrs Jean Pennington, Mrs Margaret Speedy and Mrs Parfitt.

Mrs Pennington, now 90, lives at 37 Marshmead. She and husband Gerald, moved into their three-bedroomed house in 1958.

She said: “It was wonderful. We moved in with our daughter Julie. We just wanted our own home.”

Gerald worked as a controller on the railways, and used to help build the homes in the evenings and at weekends.

Mr Pennington died 18 years ago but Mrs Pennington added: “I am really proud of what he achieved.”

Mrs Speedy, 91, moved into 33 Marshmead with her husband Ronald, and two children.

She said: “We were absolutely delighted. We moved from a two-bedroomed terraced house in Ashton Street.”

Other residents like James Witt, 86, who used to live at 34 Marshmead, said: “I was the painter and decorator. People used to think it was an easy job until they tried it. It was hard work. Mr Jock Skinner, 90, once lived at 22 Marshmead with his wife, Mabel, and three children. He said: “I was the bricklayer and we had a nice group of mates.” There was no foul language.”

Mrs Bernice Crucefix, 90, lived at 23 Marshmead, with her husband John, who died recently, and their three sons, Andrew, Martin and David.

She said: “It was lovely. We were all very happy here. We had a good life because we worked for it.”

On Saturday, they gathered on Hilperton Green to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Marshmead’s completion.

The celebration included a blessing by Reverend John Rees and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque.

There was also a fancy dress competition, refreshments, music and a raffle with prizes donated by local companies.