Place Names of Calne: Bryans Close Road

Bryans Close Road is built on land that was known as 'Bryant's Close & Theobald's Piece'. In the 1800s, it was owned by John Dommett Bishop (see Bishop Road), who used it for arable. Taylor Woodrow initially planned to call the road, Henley Road (1935), this was changed to Byran's Close Road by 1936, with Henley Road moved to a side road, now called Bishop Road. Then Henley/Henly family are an old Calne family of farmers and millers, often Guild Stewards and Calne Mayors.

It is likely that the road is named for an unknown Bryant, however in the 1851 census there were Bryant families living in Calne and working as farmer's labourers, so perhaps some of the Bryant's did still work the land.

The 'close' portion of the street name is a term used to denote an enclosed and usually quite small piece of land[1].

As to why the 't' was removed from Bryant, I am unsure. Even on the 1930s maps this choice had been made.

Portions of Bryans Close Road were built before WWII and there is a lovely photo in Calne at War by John Whiles that shows victory celebrations, with residents clustered around a long table in the middle of the road[2].

Of the 1930s housing, Taylor Woodrow built at least 92 of them as part of their c. 1936 'Henley Park Estate', which offered 'Modern - Soundly Constructed - and Beautifully Finished Houses' with the latest in labour-saving device, electric clock, wireless receiver, beautifuly equipped kitchens, gas water and electricity laid on, etc. Sites could be reserved for £2 and the freehold could be bought for as little as £395. Initially there were no terraced houses in the plan, but I think Taylor Woodrow realised that they could easily increase the density of houses per acre, so the 'Acme type' or 'A&B types' houses were added to the Marlborough and Windsor designs.  These houses are still beautiful today

Bryans Close Road, showing the terraces agreed in amended plans.

Today the road is home to the Calne squadron of the RAF Air Cadets. Walking down this road makes it clear to see that the road was built in various stages, with bungalows at the corner of North Street, which were built on the site of the Labour Exchange and National Service Office, 1930s houses, and 1960s housing. Some of the very first housing on this street were Reema prefab houses, while some planned sections had foundations laid, but could not be completed until after WWII[4].

See also, Post-war Housing Scheme.

References
[1] Cavill, P., 2018. A New Dictionary of English Field-Names. 1st ed. Great Britain: English Place-Name Society.
[2] Whiles, J., 1995. Calne at War. 1st ed. Chippenham: Antony Rowe.
[3] 'Plans'  Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, Saturday 19 December 1936  [ONLINE] Available at https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001557/19361219/274/0014 [Accessed on 25 September 2019]
[4] Many thanks to Andrew Charles Woodcock for this information.