In the beginning, Thirsk, 2 Western Avenue was built by the original owner's father in 1930 when the properties in Branksome Park were fewer, and of more elegant design than many more recently built properties. The daughter, for whom the house was built, married a man who came from Thirsk in Yorkshire and thus provides the explanation for the curious name of the house. It was one of two houses built to the same design, although interestingly the other house was a mirror-image of Thirsk.

2 Western Avenue in the early 1930's

The second owner purchased the property in 1939 and lived there until, in 1991, the property was purchased by the present owners. They started to refurbish the house and the garden, both of which had had little attention since 1974 when the wife of the previous owner had passed away.

One interesting story that has come to light is that in 1939 the Bournemouth & Poole area was expected to be subject to enemy bombing so the deeds were sent to London for safekeeping. However this proved to be an unwise decision since the solicitors in London suffered a direct hit and "... the 1939 Conveyance ... was subjected to high temperatures causing it to contract substantially and to fuse together into one solid mass thereby rendering the main body of the document illegible."

The plans the new owners put into effect ensured the character of the house was retained despite a growing tendency in the area for older properties to be demolished and very large new houses contructed in their place. The challenge facing the new owners can be seen from the pictures in the estate agents' details.

The garden which had become extremely overgrown presented a significant challenge to the new owners but at the same time provided a wonderful opportunity to create a very interesting garden.

The refurbishment of the one-acre garden is the reason for this website.