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Huw Lewis, Richards Hutchins, 96, Andrew Radgick at Bracknell Library
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The man who built Bracknell

By Laura Herbert
April 04, 2012

The man responsible for creating Bracknell town centre returned for a visit to the town’s library at the age of 96.

Richard Hutchins was Bracknell Development Corporation’s chief law officer from 1951 to 1954 and in charge of buying the land and applying for planning permission to create the area we know today.

He visited the library on Thursday, March 22, where he met community librarian Huw Lewis and Andrew Radgick of The Bracknell Forest Society.

Richard, 96, was also involved in starting the youth hostel in the town that opened in July 1948 opposite The Bull Pub and remained open until 1955.

In 1953 he was awarded the Coronation Medal along with the second general manager of Bracknell Development Corporation, Captain Thomas Brownrigg.

Richard organised a number of walking holidays with the youth hostel and is keen to find out some of the names of people who took part.

During his visit Richard showed a group photo of a Cornish path walk in June 1953 and the Pembrokeshire coastal path walk in 1954.

Other items he brought along to the library were a copy of the form and order of service of Dedication of Bracknell New Town from April 27, 1952 in Trinity Church and the official Christmas card sent out from the Corporation.

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Most recent user comments 4 of 4

I wonder if he's got any ideas as to what should happen to Bracknell now? One of the reasons that Bracknell is dying is that someone in their wisdom (now we know who) decided to put a defensive ditch (the ring) around the town centre to prevent anyone from entering, and then bull-dozed anything that was worth coming to see anyway.

Well I suppose he was a brave man to come back. If I'd been responsible for Bracknell I wouldn't be shouting about it. Pity we didn't get prior warning. I would have liked to ask him what in Bracken and Bramble's name he thought he was doing when he created Bracknell.

Candid Turkey, Bracknell
09/04/2012 at 22:28

Sixty years ago we'd have been singing his praises for what he did for our town.

Others are now responsible for aspiring to his achievements in a modern context. I suggest you speak to them.