Dalny Veed, Barley near Royston, Hertfordshire

This house is built of local thin sand-faced bricks. Bath stone, and a reinforced concrete roof covered with asphalt, the roof water forming the only source of water supply except drinking water, which is carried from a well in the village. The roof water is stored in tanks formed below ground, which is all chalk. The house stands high. and has extensive views to the south. The work was carried out without contract, the builder being Mr Albert Chuck, of Barley. The asphalting was done by La Brea Company. The front entrance has interior marble jamb linings. Mr. Edgar Wood FRIBA of Manchester, was the architect. [Recent English Domestic Architecture (4), 1911]

Dalny Veed (Russian for "Pleasant View) was built in 1907, by Edger Wood, for William Wood Cook, presumably a relative, as a retirement home. William Wood Cook was born in Bolton but spent a considerable time in Russia working in the cotton industry there. William died in 1919, and his widow, Emily, in 1924. His daughter Evelyn continued to live there until the early 1930s.

Reference    Architectural Review special issue: Recent English Domestic Architecture (4), 1911. Mervyn E Macartney Editor.  Page 101-104 with plans and illustration
Reference    E. Wood and J.H. Sellers, Partnership in Style, Manchester City Art Gallery Catalogue, 1975