Bedstones Gentrification Essay -- Papers

Bedstone's Gentrification Firstly I feel it would be a very sensible idea to write down my definition of gentrification, as at the end of the day that is what this coursework is about. "Conversion and renovation of redundant farm buildings into dwellings or different crafts by changing the structure (faà §ade) of them to get it up to date, essentially modernisation. This is often done by wealthier people moving in from the outside community and results in a raise of the settlements' socio-economic status, i.e. the community goes from a working class one into a middle class one due to people moving in. Also there is a change of a villages' function\ purpose to its community." However, has Bedstone undergone gentrification at all? Yes, I feel it has and by quite a considerable degree. Using my definition above I will investigate the many factors involved to come to an intelligent decision. Bedstone originated as an agricultural functioned village and the local area was covered with working farms. The population was also quite large, much more than it is today (at its highest in 1821 it was 165). This is backed by the variety of industry that was stationed here in the late 19th and early to mid 20th century. The village population was able to support a diary (1876- approx 1940's), a school until the 1940's, an inn until the 1930's, a blacksmith and a carpenter. The village used to be a bustling agricultural village, which through time has slowly diminished. Numbers have fallen steadily to the present day and is only now are they starting to grow. Now the village is solely a residential functioned village with no shops, inn, .. ... relatively new resident of the village has told me of further developments around the village indicating further gentrification and growth of the village. Unfortunately this further development will bring many problems with it, too numerous to mention and it is unclear what the future holds. However what is clear is that gentrification has happened in Bedstone and to a considerable degree, which hopefully has been shown. Bedstone has been through the whole process of gentrification of conversion and renovation of buildings, a rise in its socio-economic class, as well as a massive influx of people from the outside community. The trend is still going strong and I see no reason why the factors just mentioned won't continue far into the future. We should ask ourselves however, what does the future hold for Bedstone?