What is a hovel?
For many people, not native to the Vale of Evesham, they most likely think of a hovel as “a small squalid or simply constructed dwelling”, as defined by the dictionary.
But, from the latter part of the 19th century to the mid 20th century, hovels dotted the landscape. They were used by market gardeners for storing equipment, produce and providing shelter. Each was unique in both design and function and were significant social hubs, as well as practical buildings.
They were sometimes used as homes. After and between the two world wars, there were many single men who did not really have anywhere to live. Traditionally, in the Vale of Evesham, they had bothies out on the ground. The men nearly always went to the pub in the evening as they did not have any light. They had a little fireplace but that was it. Many, such as George Lloyd, who lived in a hovel up Sands Lane, were perfectly respectable people.
Hovels were distinct to the Vale of Evesham and do not appear to have been built in other market gardening regions. But, with the gradual decline of market gardening in the latter part of the 20th century, these small buildings have been slowly disappearing.
Hovels Survey
From 2018 to 2021, Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service, in partnership with Cleeve Prior Heritage Trust and Parish Council, Vale Landscape Heritage Trust and the Worcestershire Farmsteads Project, ran a project studying the market gardening industry that thrived in the Vale of Evesham The key focus was local memories and buildings, as both were at risk of being lost without record. This summary focuses on the record of historic buildings that has been created.
The survey, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, was conducted in a number of parishes in the Evesham area.
For a detailed history of market gardening, the project produced an online exhibition, Grown in the Vale. On the Home page is a picture of the interior of a hovel as painted by Badsey Society Committee member, Ian Gibson.
In addition, a booklet was produced, together with a map showing survival and condition of hovels in Badsey, which was written by Nina O’Hare, Project Officer, and Gill Pawson, Volunteer.