PLAQUES are being put up to identify historically important cottages. A total of 119 exhibition cottages in Letchworth GC were constructed in 1905 as part of a competition between builders to use different methods of construction, with the intention of pr

PLAQUES are being put up to identify historically important cottages.

A total of 119 exhibition cottages in Letchworth GC were constructed in 1905 as part of a competition between builders to use different methods of construction, with the intention of producing affordable housing.

The result was a mixture of styles and construction techniques quite different from most of the rest of Letchworth now.

Many of the cottages still stand, some are listed, and all are within the Letchworth conservation area.

Examples can be seen in Nevells Road, Icknield Way, The Quadrant, Wilbury Road, Birds Hill and Paddock Close.

Plaques are being put on the front of each of the properties to identify their origins and their important place in the history of the town.

Exhibition cottage owner Ray Worbey, of Meadow Way, designed the plaque and a grant from the Heritage Foundation allowed the Exhibition Cottages Group to order its manufacture.

The group's chairman, Alastair Lochhead, said: "The owners of these 100-year-old houses are dedicated to preserving as many of the original features as possible, but at the same time creating a comfortable, modern home for their families."

He added: "Guided tours of the cottages are organised by Bob Lancaster, curator of Letchworth Garden City Heritage Museum, and it is hoped, during 2007, a leaflet describing the design of all of these unique houses, which can be given to interested visitors, will be produced.