Boulden Close

In 1986 Plympton farmer, Arthur West, sold 91 acres of farm land, Higher and Lower Chaddlewood, to developers. As the site was being transformed Arthur became determined that the new streets being created on his farmland should not be named on a whim.

He had in mind various developments that had been named after sons and daughters and wives of developers themselves and was anxious to avoid it happening in an area over which he could exert some influence. Accordingly he rang a man who almost certainly knows more about Plympton than any other living soul, his former plumber - John Boulden.

Asked for a series of names that were relevant locally John suggested ploughing through the different field names of old Chaddlewood, hence Long Terrace Close, Lawn Close, Eight Acres Close, Wellfield Close, Barn Field Drive, Orchard Close, Barton Close, Baker Close, Down Road. Towards the end of the work though it was discovered that there was one street left without a name.

John Boulden, one time Stannator of Plympton, was contacted again this time the question was more along the lines "Would you mind if ...?" "No", said a bashful but quite tickled voice at the other end - hence Boulden Close.

EH 26 January 1999