NEWSLETTER Volume 5 – February 2018 Editor: Sue Tatham Mickleham Churchyard Lichens Reprinted from the July/August 2017 Mickleham Parish Magazine

Home , Betchworth, Betchworth Castle, Burford Bridge Hotel, Juniper Hall, Westhumble

Mickleham & Westhumble Local History Group NEWSLETTER Volume 5 – February 2018 Editor: Sue Tatham Mickleham Churchyard Lichens Reprinted from the July/August 2017 Mickleham Parish Magazine. hurchyard memorials and church and in the 1970s it had the honour of in 2016-17. Most of the species that Cwalls are an important habitat being the churchyard with the most have not been seen in recent years for lichens, associations between a recorded lichen species in the UK: 153 were ones that occurred on the elms fungus and an alga (or more rarely species were known. Repeated visits which were lost to Dutch Elm Disease a cyanobacterium). These give the have been made by students from in the 1970s or on the ground or stonework a patchwork of colours, the Juniper Hall Centre on specialist mosses. which vary according to the type of lichen courses, for many years led by It has not yet been possible to stone. This is easily seen even on a Frank S Dobson and more recently by inventory the stones individually, an casual glance as limestones tend to myself. Specialists have also visited extremely time-consuming task, but have many orange-yellow patches, independently from time to time, several memorials of particular note whereas sandstones and granites tend including a visit by the British Lichen have now been identified. At least to have greens, greys and browns. Society in 1993 when 105 species were maps of the memorials are available, Some species grow just on the surface, seen in one day. On 5th September which will help expedite this task in while others are immersed, growing 2016, the site was revisited by Frank the future. just under the surface of the stone. along with Mark Powell and Paul F Lichenologists greatly appreciate the th Mickleham churchyard has been Cannon, and on 8 April 2017 by six care with which the church authorities the subject of intensive study by members of the South-East England continue to manage the churchyard in professional lichenologists and citizen Lichen Group. a way that safeguards its importance scientists since the late 1960s, partly A staggering 182 species (including as a lichen habitat. The South-East because of its proximity to the Field six specialised fungi that only grow on England Lichen Group would also like Studies Council field centre at Juniper lichens) were recorded as present in to thank the Rev'd Malcolm Raby, Hall. Particularly careful recording was 2016-17. It therefore still ranks as one Carole Brough Fuller, Sue Tatham, undertaken by the late Peter W. James, of the richest recorded churchyards Judith Long and Judy KInloch for lichenologist at the Natural History in the UK. The cumulative total ever allowing us to visit the churchyard and Museum in London and Joy Fildes recorded there now stands at 251 providing so much helpful background who studied it for an MSc degree, species, of which 69 were not refound information. Professor/Cllr David L Hawksworth CBE

Photographs: Ben Tatham

1 Task Group Report: The Village Archives his year we have donated to the in the archive and cover many areas and Bencomb, now Glenrose, built in TSurrey History Centre (on long of contention that have arisen over its place. Our research showed that it M&WLHG Contact Information loan) the minutes and records of the the years, such as the plans to reduce was leased to Allan Chaplin while he Westhumble Residents’ Association the tragic accidents on the A24, and was serving in Ootacamund in India Committee from 1945-2017. They can be viewed the leasing of Norbury Park to Surrey in 1898; he and his wife built the at the SHC in Woking, reference nos. Wildlife. Ranging from historical new house and lived there until their Chairman: Ben Tatham 01306 882547 [email protected] 9189/1 and 9189/2. Mick Hallett has planning applications to allotment deaths; both are buried in Mickleham Secretary: Sue Tatham 01306 882547 [email protected] produced an extensive account of the holdings, the scope is hugely various. churchyard. Later it was occupied Treasurer: Elizabeth Moughton 01306 883040 [email protected] contents which we intend to make Currently these papers are being by William Whitely, the department Librarian: Judy Kinloch 01372 375358 [email protected] available to members soon. catalogued and entered on the archive store owner. The name Annie Besant spreadsheets, as are the many items is one we have come across before as Programme Secretary: Judith Long 01372 375206 [email protected] Other donations (approved by the PCC) include assorted churchyard that add to our growing collection of she is said to have lead the strike of Committee members: plans, a second Bryant photograph the village’s history. the matchwork girls who worked for Roger Davis 01306 884505 [email protected] album of village scenes and parish- We have dealt with a number of Bryant & May (Bryant being the owner th Rosemary Robinson 01372 378157 [email protected] ioners, including the late 19th century queries over the past year, some of of Juniper Hill in the late 19 century.) restoration when the church was which are covered in the churchyard Every bit of research leads to closed and services took place in an section. We spent some time looking another. Looking for The Cottage we iron building, and other records of for the history and whereabouts of discovered a lot about Pinehurst, the Task Groups Mickleham history written by Samuel a house called simply The Cottage, coachman’s/gardener’s cottage (now Woods in the 19th century. These can Little Pinehurst) and another that Archives: Judy Kinloch 01372 375358 [email protected] which is shown on the 1895 Ordnance also be seen at the SHC, reference nos. Survey map but which was very was then called Coal House Cottage. Oral Histories: Roger Davis 01306 884505 [email protected] 9752/1, 9752/1/2, 9752/1/3, 9752/2. hard to pinpoint. Our enquirer was There is a tablet in the tower of the If you order the day before, they church which records a grant of land St Michael’s Churchyard: Judith Long 01372 375206 [email protected] looking for a guesthouse where Annie can be available on arrival. All these Besant and Charles Leadbetter of the by Henry Thomas Hope of Deepdene Mickleham Parish Magazine: Sue Tatham 01306 882547 [email protected] documents have been digitally copied *Theosophist movement had stayed for the benefit of the Mickleham Coal Mickleham Village Hall: Ben Tatham 01306 882547 [email protected] for our archive. while developing her clairvoyant Charity. A cottage was built on the site After the sad and sudden death of powers and astral vision. They received ‘furnishing a lodgement for the coals Richard Roberts-Miller, Fiona asked important guests of the movement and and the rent of it is appropriated to that we take away the records that used to conduct their psychic research the funds of the charity’. The grant Richard had kept of Parish Council in the back garden before walking up was made in 1839 and vested in two business over the 20 years that he the hill. There was a good reason for trustees who charged a peppercorn The Group’s website was chairman. Unless needed by the our difficulty as we finally discovered rent for 99 years, ‘reversible to the www.hugofox.com/community/mickleham-westhumble-local-history-group-13483/ current PC these papers will be lodged that it must have been demolished donor and his heirs when not used for the purpose for which it was given.’ Manager: Roger Davis The space for coal storage is still to be seen under one of the bedrooms, supported on columns. It is now owned by the National Trust, given in lieu of death duties by the Corbet Hue family who then lived at Pinehurst and was M&WLHG Programme for 2018 the main benefactor of St Faith’s Trust for children in destitute or straitened th circumstances and unmarried mothers. • Friday 16 February 2 AGM at Mickleham Village Hall followed by a talk by David Langford from Dorking We are happy to research any topic of local interest that members would like Museum Time Gentlemen, Please – The story of Dorking Pubs 1 to explore. Judy Kinloch • Wednesday 6th June 4 Visit to Abinger Church and Goddards (Lutyens house & Gertrude Jekyll garden) with *Theosophy: occult movement originating 3 in the 19th century with roots that can pub lunch be traced to ancient Gnosticism and th Neoplatonism. The term theosophy, • Thursday 11 October derived from the Greek theos (‘god’) and Visit to The Spike, Guildford (Old Vagrants and Casuals Ward of Guildford Workhouse). sophia (‘wisdom’), is generally understood to mean ‘divine wisdom’. Encyclopaedia Britannica

Detail from 1895 OS map showing: 1. The Cottage; 2. Coal House Cottage; 3. Pinehurst; 4. Pinehurst Cottage. 2 3 Photographs: Ben Tatham >>> Gardens. The next significant Our Fourth Annual General Meeting chapter in the history of the estate On 24th February 2017 following the AGM of the M&WLHG in Mickleham Village Hall we were treated to a involved the Hope family, known fascinating presentation about Betchworth Castle by Martin Higgins. The following locally for their connection with the report appeared in the April 2017 edition of the Mickleham Parish Magazine. Deepdene. Thomas Hope was one of the richest men in England when he acquired the Deepdene at the Betchworth Castle beginning of the 19th century and the estate was enlarged soon afterwards by the addition of Chart Park, a gift from Thomas’ brother. Thomas’ son Henry inherited the Deepdene on the death of his father and in 1834 bought Betchworth Castle and its estate. The castle itself was surplus to his requirements and he had the roof removed to create a 'romantic ruin'. When Martin acquired this 'romantic ruin', not only was it unsafe but the whole site was completely overgrown. Through an enormous amount of hard Eastern face of castle today work by Martin and other volunteers, funded mostly by grant money from local councils and organisations such as English Heritage and Surrey Historic Buildings Trust, the area around the castle is now accessible to the public. The castle can be

th reached through a gate off the south n 24 February following the the site and to empark 360 acres of from hard chalk which Martin believes side of the A25, opposite Wyevale AGM of the M&WLHG, members the surrounding land (part of this is probably came from Westhumble. At O Garden Centre, near the entrance to were treated to an excellent talk about now Betchworth Park Golf Course). the end of the 17th century, the castle Betchworth Park Golf Course. Martin Betchworth Castle by Martin Higgins, In theory, a licence to crenellate gave was bought by William Fenwick who is hoping that by the time you read Surrey County Council’s Historic permission to fortify a building but demolished a significant section of it, this article there will be a signpost Buildings Officer and current owner of in practice was often a way to show thereby turning it into a much smaller The stable block in Castle Gardens pointing the way. the castle. Martin began by telling us royal recognition. In 1448 a second country residence. The engraving Judith Long that the castle was originally part of the licence to crenellate was given to Sir (above) of the east view of the Manor of West Betchworth, whereas Thomas Browne who had acquired castle, produced in the 1730, shows Betchworth as we think of it today was the castle through his marriage to its impressive location on the top of Task Group Report: in the Manor of East Betchworth. Eleanor Fitzalan of the Arundel family. a steep slope, with a commanding The castle was not built for defence He was later executed for treason. view of the surrounding countryside. Oral histories Eleanor was unlucky in her choice of A line of small yew trees is visible, but was in fact a fortified manor house, or those of you unfamiliar with Oral to tell us, in their own words, the husbands because her second one, Sir some of which are still standing today, built to impress and demonstrate the Histories, it is a way of preserving story of their lives from their earliest Thomas Vaughan, who had survived although considerably larger than in F status of the owner. By the mid-1960s memories of the past so that future memories through to today. You may capture by pirates while taking the the picture! A terrace can also be seen, The Village the castle ruins were owned by the generations can glimpse a little of be surprised what interesting people treasure of Henry VI to Ireland, was an astonishing 300 feet long and 8 feet local council and were becoming an everyday life that might otherwise we have in our community and what later executed by the future King high, constructed of white chalk with Archive is expensive liability as the structure go unrecorded. The past two projects fascinating tales they have to tell. Richard III. greensand below. There was also a was in imminent danger of collapse. have been quite specific, the first, by magnificent avenue of lime trees and In due course these recordings will looking for a Several decades later, in 2008, Martin Martin then explained how, over Mari Ottridge, on Rose’s Stores and many beautiful old chestnut trees in also be sent to the archive for us all began negotiations with Mole Valley the following centuries, numerous then our ‘Feeding the Family’ project, new home the park. to share, so watch - or should I say District Council to purchase the castle additions and alterations were made which covered all aspects of how food If you have a ground floor th listen? - to this space. and thus achieve his ambition to own to the castle. There are several By the end of the 18 century, the was obtained, stored, prepared and If you know someone who you think room with separate access, and restore the castle site, where he contemporary drawings and paintings castle was owned by the banker, eaten. had played as a child. The process of the castle, enabling us to piece Henry Peters. He commissioned Sir has a story to tell and would be please get in touch with With these projects safely stored in took three years to complete with a together the changes to the building. John Soane to remodel the house and willing to contribute please let us Mickleham & Westhumble the archives of the Surrey History purchase price of £1. John Aubrey made a sketch of the castle park and, fortunately for historians, know. I think we can say that, without Local History Group Centre, we decided it was time to in 1673 which shows an impressive the drawings for these alterations have exception, our interviewees have It is not known exactly when, and by dust off the microphone and venture Chairman, Ben Tatham on four-storey gatehouse. The castle also survived. Soane added a conservatory enjoyed the opportunity to recall whom, the castle was built, but in out again. This time however we are 01306 882547 had an enormous hall, four bays long, onto the house and built a separate their past and unlike Paxman, we 1379 Richard II granted John Fitzalan not picking a single topic to talk about and a large bay window. Interestingly, stable block which was later converted never interrupt! [email protected] (d’Arundel), Marshal of England, a but instead are asking local residents licence to crenellate his residence on part of the castle was constructed into houses, now located in Castle >>> Anne Weaver & Roger Davis 4 5 M&WLHG articles from May, June and July/August 2017 Mickleham Parish Magazines >>> no apparent reason as far back as The Village Hall was already a well- theatre productions in the Village Hall. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose 1931. I have observed this problem used facility and it is intriguing to note Despite the oft repeated concern over for the last 18 years and it has not that as far back as 1926 the staging of the diminishing number of church ecently I have enjoyed the and its new cathedral cropped up Mr Gordon Pollock of Old House are gone away! I was also intrigued productions was prevented for a time goers, 27 candidates were presented Rinteresting task of reading through with increasing regularity. A consistent mentioned over and over again. to see that bulb planting in the as a result of new fire regulations. for confirmation in 1929 – a very large old copies of parish magazines ranging theme during the ‘20s and ‘30s was In 1887 it was intriguing to read of churchyard was carried out in 1924 ‘Health and Safety’ is not entirely new! number for so small a population. from the 1880s to the 1960s in order the need for more choir members, the celebrations for Queen Victoria’s and again in 1931. This has also been In the spring and summer of 1968 the There were also many more services to record the essential information particularly men – familiar? Previous Golden Jubilee. These were held in carried out twice in the time that I church organ was renovated provoking held each Sunday both in Mickleham as part of the Local History Group’s rectors gave interesting insights into the grounds of Mickleham Hall. Then, have been here. As someone who the comment that ‘the organ was in and Westhumble. Rev’d Bedford was archiving work. We do not have a their ambitions and problems. When as now, there were medals and mugs attended the consecration of our pieces and lying around the church’ – assisted by a curate and also several complete record but are fortunate Rev’d WR Lloyd arrived in 1897 he for the children as well as fireworks, latest ‘new churchyard’ last summer a scene that will be familiar to anyone retired clergy, including his predecessor to have a full run from 1920 to 1936 proclaimed his intention to visit every sporting events and refreshments, it was interesting to read of the who attended the church a few years Rev’d Lloyd. As we know, clergy never thanks to Rev’d A.W. Bedford who had house in the parish in order to get to the same formula as has been used consecration of the ‘new churchyard’ ago. The church gates were evidently completely retire! The church organ them all bound into one volume. know people, something which I know for all our current Queen’s Jubilee in 1924, following the previous ‘new repainted in 1965 and opinion then, as was causing concern again in 1925 What struck me most forcibly within has been repeated in more recent celebrations. In 1934 the possibility of churchyard’ in 1886. now, was divided as to the aesthetic but for a very different reason – it was times. In 1920 when Rev’d Bedford a very short time were the similarities holding a fête in the Rectory garden Of particular interest to those who attributes of the red and gold. driven by water power and the building arrived he lamented the wilderness between the issues which trouble was proposed, on the basis that there were involved in the construction of Beyond the confines of our village it of the new houses in Dell Close had of a garden which needed to be parishioners both then and now. There was no reason otherwise to have such the new children’s playground last was interesting to see that concerns reduced the water pressure. The maintained (even larger then than are of course ways in which these a big garden. As we know this happens summer were the entries relating about globalisation were already being tenure of churchwardens was much now of course and another aspect of documents remind one that the world today although there have been times to the offer by the Mackworth expressed by 1936. It was noted that longer than it is today and in October life at the Rectory which some of you is very different nowadays but also when it has lapsed. Praed family to lease the land for a trade from the Far East was already 1936 Mr Gordon Pollock celebrated will recognise.) th that human nature remains the same. The ever-familiar criticism of young Children’s Recreation Ground in 1925. causing the ‘spindles of the North’ to his 38 year as churchwarden. The For me it was particularly interesting As far back as the 1930s difficulties in people appears from time to time, This offer was accepted and the land lie idle in the mills of Britain. way the church was funded showed to note the concerns relating to finding volunteers to run such activities such as in the obituary to Mrs Leonard leased for a few years before being There were of course some radical some significant differences in the church life thatwhich are so similar to as Sunday School are mentioned, as is Cunliffe of Juniper Hill in 1928 where bought by an anonymous donor (later differences in the past from the lives days when the Rector held the ‘living’. our own in 2017. As far back as 1928 the lack of children attending Sunday it is noted that the younger generation identified as Miss Flora Valentina we lead today. The parish magazines I was surprised to read that the Rector a growing indifference to organised School. Concern was expressed in no longer follows ‘rule and duty’ in MacAndrew of Juniper Hall) for reveal that throughout the ‘20s and planned to use his ‘Easter Offering’ in Christianity was noted with a reduction 1929 at the lack of leaders for boys’ the way that she did. An ‘every man the village. Generations of us have ‘30s ‘Missionary Sales’ were held in 1922 to pay towards the mortgage on in the number of communicants. This activities, then in 1935 at the lack for himself’ attitude is also noted in enjoyed this facility with our children the Rectory garden every summer the benefice. Later still in 1968 Rev’d continued in 1929 with concerns about of young men in the village and in 1931 followed in 1932 by a lament and grandchildren. Interestingly the (precursors to the fêtes which began in Cornell was expressing his dismay at poor attendance at evening services as 1936 at the scarcity of children in the that people are ‘grumbling and problem of dangerous traffic through 1935). The most profitable stall every being expected to bear the cost of they no longer fitted in with ‘modern village. How cyclical these things are, discontented’ instead of ‘getting on the village is mentioned on several year was ‘Needlework’. Crafts pursued resurfacing Dell Close – something he life’ and concern that although church which must give us hope. As far back with it’. Higher education and mothers occasions during the 20s and 30s by the young men of the village were was obviously not in a position to do. attendance was good on Easter Day, as October 1929 the unwillingness also came in for veiled criticism when particularly in relation to the safety of ploughing, thatching and rick-making Most surprising of all to me was work and alternative attractions kept of young people to help with village cookery classes were started in the local children. Hard to imagine that the and their success in competitions was the level of vandalism in the church people away at other times. To me, organisations is lamented. I suspect village in 1890 in order to ‘encourage volume of traffic was sufficiently great noted in April 1928. which was recorded in the 1930s and that some of you will have heard this thrift and remove the sin of waste’. having grown up during the ‘50s when at that time but of course the by-pass Not surprisingly in the days when the 1960s. There had been various (somewhat unfair) criticism in recent there seemed little to do on a Sunday In my reading of the old magazines had not been built and children had no transport out of the village was more instances of theft and also of people times as well. Two village organisations other than go to church, this came I was surprised to learn also of alternative but to walk and nowhere limited there seemed to be more local picnicking in church and leaving their which seem to have been running as a surprise. Already it was noted in certain other issues, affecting the else to play. entertainment such as concerts and litter behind. In 1968 the theft of silver the 1930s that it was more and more since the beginning of time are the infrastructure of the village which from the vestry safe was recorded. As difficult to suit everyone in terms of Choral Society and the Horticultural continue to cause controversy today a result the church was kept locked church services and that people’s Society but in 1929 the latter was and are still unresolved. In 1922 there and volunteers were requested to approach to church had changed so that struggling with the all too familiar was a proposal to introduce street supervise the church on a rota basis they did not necessarily attend their difficulty of finding anyone prepared lighting, strongly supported by the on Bank Holidays so that visitors could local church. Again I had not thought to take over as either secretary or Rector but equally hotly opposed by look around. How lucky we are today of this happening so long ago. In April treasurer. Nevertheless, then as now, another reader. In 1932 the residents to be able to keep the church open 1935 the problem of Christians who the same names occur over and over of Byttom Hill were reported as being every day. again as contributors to local activities. behave selfishly was aired as this was unwilling to pay for repairs to the Mr WM Praed who, as previously In the 1880s the names of the Gordon seen to be discouraging new members road. (Interesting to note that in 1938 mentioned, was generous with both Clarks of Mickleham Hall, Mr Praed from joining the church – a criticism Mr Praed helped with the cost of the his time and his money funded repairs of Mickleham Downs (Lord of the which is still sometimes heard today. repairs from his own pocket.) to the church from his own pocket in Manor of Mickleham and Patron of The church was already struggling In the churchyard the problem that 1887 in his capacity as churchwarden the Living) and the Bryants at Juniper to find the money for the ‘quota’ sometimes headstones were erected – something current churchwardens Hill occur repeatedly and in the 1930s system whereby money was paid to without gaining approval was noted will be relieved not to have to the Gordon Clarks, Miss MacAndrew the diocese to fund its activities – a as far back as 1929. As someone contemplate. of Juniper Hall, Mrs Batchelor of the who has lived opposite or next to continuing problem to this day. Over Unlike the present day, there were so builder’s yard, Mrs Child of the timber the churchyard for some years I was the next two decades resentment over many local residents needing places in the money requested for the setting yard, Miss Cullen of Mickleham Downs, intrigued to read of the problem of From the village archives: a 1936 postcard of the churchyard east of the church the Almshouses in 1930 that they were up of the new diocese of Guildford Lady Lawrence of Burford Lodge and trees dying in the churchyard for >>> showing the 1924 extension in the foreground. Continued overleaf >>> 6 7 M&WLHG article from July/August 2017 Mickleham Parish Magazine >>> Continued from previous page reserved exclusively for local people. A June Visit to Warren House surprising situation was noted in 1931 whereby six local houses were standing lthough the visit to Warren empty. The reasons for this were not AHouse was organised for the disclosed but presumably related History Group, a treat was in store to social and economic problems of for gardeners too. The house is now the times. The life of the village must a conference centre and wedding have been considerably diminished venue but was originally one of thereby not least because of the loss the finest country houses on the of employment in the big houses. In Coombe Estate in Kingston. Our visit 1933 the Parish Council was disbanded began with coffee in the old billiard when the Dorking Urban Council was room where Edward VII had played set up. In 1935 the parish magazine and where we were introduced to was reported to be struggling to Vicky Good, whose family bought maintain its popularity. How fortunate the property in 2005. Vicky has we are not to experience problems in researched the history of the house any of these areas today. and its owners and recently published a book on the subject. Of purely historical interest I noted that when the new flats were built Dell Close in the 1930s Vicky told us that the house was built by the council in Swanworth Lane in in the 1860s for Hugh Hammersley, a time, when our 465 bus has recently reasons, there is much less information 1967 priority was given to Mickleham wealthy banker with Cox & Co (and been under threat, is the information about Westhumble in the older people, with the result that several the uncle of Gertrude Jekyll), on part The original house built in 1876 has black brick decoration that as far back as 1925 an ‘early magazines although Sunday services former residents returned. of 14 acres of land on the Coombe bus service’ was introduced so that at the Chapel of Ease (then known Estate. Several years later Hammersley it as a management training centre. Heritage Garden we stopped to look Way back in 1887 St John’s School commuters to London could travel to quite simply as ‘The Barn’) and the For financial reasons ICI later sold off at the winter garden, which contains Leatherhead was frequently men- acquired an adjoining piece of land Leatherhead station in time for the Infant School (attached to Catbells) are containing a Japanese water garden, some of the land next to the house, a stone grotto made from Pulhamite, tioned in the magazine as ‘St John’s train. How sad to think that this facility mentioned quite frequently. It would including the famous Japanese water an artificial cement render familiar Foundation School for the sons of which had been part of the renowned has been available to Mickleham be wonderful to fill in the gaps in our James Veitch & Sons Coombe Wood gardens. Fortunately, these are still to some us from the winter garden poor clergymen’. The school which residents for nearly 100 years and knowledge if any readers have copies open to the public twice a year under at Juniper Hill. Next stop was the my granddaughter now attends is a Nursery. The water garden was the might have been abandoned in 2017! of magazines from the first decade of first of its kind in the country and quite the National Gardens Scheme. The Veitch Garden itself where established flourishing and highly sought-after th These old parish magazines are a most the 20 century or from the ‘40s, ‘50s house was briefly owned by a group trees, including quinces and a row of school but still remembers its origins. a status symbol. fascinating source of information or ‘70s hidden away in their attics. of businessmen before Vicky’s family pleached limes, mix with new additions Substantial additions were made to Of particular significance at the present about our very special village of Angela Ireland acquired it. such as the handkerchief tree, Davidia the house in the 1880s by the next Mickleham. Sadly, but for obvious involucrata, and a grove of Acer owner, George Grenfell Glyn, 2nd The second part of our visit began griseum. The new perennial borders Baron Wolverton and Paymaster- with a talk by garden designer, Andrew were in full bloom and several of us General in Gladstone’s government. Fisher Tomlin, who has recently could not resist making a purchase In 1907 the house was bought by designed the Veitch Heritage Garden Suffragettes in the Surrey Hills at the plant stall (Astrantia ‘Shaggy’ General Sir Arthur Paget and his wife at Warren House. Andrew explained being a popular choice). After a walk Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence acted at the injustice of these actions. Mary, a wealthy American heiress and that the new garden features plants through the rest of the grounds it was as the organization’s treasurer, Emmeline was imprisoned six times society hostess. The Pagets were part introduced by pioneering plant hunters time to say our goodbyes. For me it providing the stable leadership that for the cause. Also imprisoned, her of Edward VII’s Marlborough House who were sent all over the world by the had been the ideal outing – history and allowed the Pankhurst campaign husband was nicknamed ‘Godfather’ Set and the King made several visits famous Veitch Nurseries. Their main horticulture together in one morning! to flourish. She was always at Mrs by the women, standing bail for to Warren House. After the deaths of propagation nursery was in Coombe uesday 6th February marked a Pankhurst’s side, marching beside hundreds with his own money. He Arthur and Mary, the house passed to Wood near Warren House and they Judith Long century since British women got T her, and responsible for most of the was the only man to play a significant their daughter Dame Leila Paget and introduced an astonishing number of the vote. Dorking Museum plans to running of the organization. She and role in the WSPU. her husband Sir Ralph Paget, a diplomat plants to Europe, including orchids, celebrate the occasion by installing a her husband’s London home became It is therefore proposed to place and Leila’s distant relative. Leila was magnolias and rhododendrons. Five commemorative plaque on the home of the organization’s headquarters and a blue plaque, in the style of the very different from her mother and generations of the Veitch family were two of the most significant campaigners their Surrey house its unofficial English Heritage scheme in London, found her calling running a military involved in the nursery business and for the vote for women, Frederick and country home, where tactics were on the house where the couple lived hospital in Serbia during the Balkan the RHS continues to award the Veitch Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence, who lived formulated and women recuperated throughout the campaign for the vote Wars of 1912-13, after Ralph had been Memorial Medal for outstanding at the Dutch House in South Holmwood, from forcible feeding. The house was and which played such a significant posted to Belgrade. She continued to contributions to the advancement Surrey. (There is a very interesting video at the centre of dramatic events in part in the story of the militant help with the Serbian Relief Fund and of the art, science or practice of about the Pethick-Lawrences on the 1912 when the government sued the campaign. The Museum is seeking to maintained a lifelong connection to horticulture. One member of the Dorking Museum website.) couple for the costs of their trial for raise £700 to cover the costs of design, Serbia. During WW2 she converted family, Harry Veitch, was instrumental This couple were integral to the conspiracy, putting bailiffs into the production, and installation of the Warren House into a convalescence in founding the Chelsea Flower Show leadership of Mrs Pankhurst’s militant house and selling the contents at plaque to be installed in the centenary home for the military. In 1954, when it and was knighted for his services to Women’s Social and Political Union, public auction. The WSPU ran a six- year. If you would like to make a was becoming increasingly expensive horticulture. Veitch Memorial Medal known as the ‘suffragettes’. For six week-long campaign in Dorking and donation see the museum’s website: to maintain such a large house, Leila Andrew then took us on a tour of now awarded by the RHS years, between 1906 and 1912, the surrounding villages to protest www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk sold Warren House to ICI who used the garden. En route to the Veitch 8 9 M&WLHG article from June 2017 Mickleham Parish Magazine Just how old is Mickleham Church? Task Group Report: The Churchyard First of a series of occasional articles on the history of St Michael's Church by Sue Tatham uring 2017 Judy Kinloch and I Hudson family, thought to be buried delighted to meet them in Mickleham ollowing his conquest of England in Dconcentrated on recording the in Mickleham. Ann Hudson, together and show them some of the many F1066, Duke William II of Normandy inscriptions in the oldest part of with her daughter and granddaughter, documents from our Archive relating ordered a great survey of England and the churchyard. This includes the provided the funds to build and furnish to their family. They also looked at parts of Wales to find out what or how graves in front of the church and on St Martin’s Church in Low Marple. the Grissell memorials and Norbury much each landholder had in land and the south and north sides. We soon The church was built in the Arts and Pew in St Michael’s church and the livestock and what it was worth, so realised that progress would be quite Crafts style and contains stained eight graves in the churchyard where that they could be taxed accordingly. slow as the lettering on many of the glass designed by William Morris and eighteen family members are buried. The information from this survey graves has worn away to a significant several of the Pre-Raphaelites. We In return, they were able to answer conducted between 1080 and 1086 extent. Some of the graves required established that Ann is the only one some of our questions and bring us up was recorded in what is now called several visits under different weather of these women buried in Mickleham to date on the more recent history of the Domesday Book (domes meaning conditions because the legibility of the churchyard, and that her husband, the family. ‘house'). The entry for Mickleham inscriptions was very dependent on Thomas, bought Camilla Lacey in 1816, Finally, we would like to thank Eric reads thus: Nigel holds of the Bishop the amount of sunlight and shade. the year of their marriage, and became Flint and his team for their continuing Micleham. Anafrig held it of King Ian Wright generously donated his Lord of the Manor of Westhumble. Plan of the 1086 church according to early records, superimposed on the footprint of today's church maintenance of the churchyard. Edward [the Confessor]. Then, and time to draw up a numbered plan It was surprising to find that Thomas now, it is assessed for 5 hides. The land died in Pau, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Judith Long Archibald Gordon Pollock (1850-1936) during the ensuing years of conflict of the graves in the old churchyard, is for 4 ploughs and 4 bordars and two th region of France, in 1868 but this PS We would welcome more help who lived at The Old House and was a – the Dark Ages. However, by the 7 which greatly facilitated our progress. serfs. There is a Church and 2 acres of was soon explained in a document with this very interesting task. If you churchwarden for many years, made a century a strong alliance between Ian’s plan was based on one presented meadow. Wood worth 3 hogs. th describing how Thomas, who was would like to join the group, please study of church and parish records. In Christianity and Kingship had been on 8 April 1913 by the Rector’s A ‘hide’ was the standard unit of receiver and accountant for Bridewell get in touch with me or Judy Kinloch – his papers, held in the village archives, established and continued despite Warden, Archibald Gordon Pollock assessment used for tax purposes. It Hospital in the 1830s, diverted £10,000 contact details on page 2. he reports that ‘in the rebuilding of the subsequent Viking invasions which (of the Old House, Mickleham), at the was meant to represent the amount of of hospital funds into his own pocket church in 1823, on removing the old often targeted monasteries and Mickleham Easter Vestry meeting. land that could support a household, and disappeared to the Photograph: Judith Long west casing by the tower, east side, the churches. Remarkably there were no There are almost 200 graves identified roughly 120 acres. (So Mickleham Continent when this was date 1018 was found marked in red on invasions during the reign of Edgar and at this point we have recorded the covered an area of around 600 acres) discovered! Fortunately the old plaster coating. Antiquarians (959-975) – later known as ‘Edgar inscriptions on about half of them. for Ann she inherited a The significant phrase for us is there‘ are doubtful if the marking was the Peaceful’. One of Edgar’s first In September we were fortunate to large estate in Marple is a church’. Historians have described actually made at that date; it would actions as king was to recall Dunstan, discover the work of Alfred Ridley from her cousin. this as having a tower and a nave imply that at that date the nave was former Abbot of Glastonbury, from Bax (1844-1918), a barrister of the about half the length of the present being rebuilt.’ There was a major exile. Dunstan (later the Archbishop Middle Temple and active member Another enquiry came one. It is highly likely that the nave Viking invasion at the end of the 10th of Canterbury) was Edgar’s advisor of the Surrey Archaeological Society. from a researcher looking was built of wood, no vestige of which century and the nave may have been throughout his reign. This was the During the late 19th and early 20th for a photograph of the survives. But parts of the original damaged then. time when many village churches were centuries Bax spent much of his time grave of Sir John Leigh flint-built tower still exist. Evidence of for the centenary of John So when could the first church have built. Therefore, it is possible that the on historical research. He transcribed this is a blocked-up window ‘of Saxon Leigh Park in Altrincham. been built? Although Christianity first church in Mickleham was built as many parish registers and recorded construction’ above the west door John Leigh made his came to Britain during the Roman early as 970 AD. gravestone inscriptions throughout which can still be seen from the inside. fortune in the Lancashire occupation, paganism dominated And finally, a clue as to why the early Surrey and Sussex. Luckily for us, cotton industry and in Christians built the church where between June 1893 and September the early 1950s moved to Photograph: Ben Tatham they did. In 2009 when excavations 1894, he recorded 196 inscriptions Juniper Hill. Both he and for the vestry extension uncovered in St Michael’s churchyard, plus the his wife are buried in our human bones, work had to be memorial tablets in the church. He churchyard. In addition stopped for an archaeological survey. left his notebooks to the Surrey to the photograph of the This confirmed that the bodies had Archaeological Society, whose Archives grave we were also able to been buried in the late 18th / early are now kept at the Surrey History send one of Juniper Hill. 19th century. But more significantly Centre (SHC). We photographed his for us is that among the bones were Mickleham inscriptions at the SHC Two of the grandchildren pieces of Roman pottery, including box and Judy has been comparing them of Bernard Salwey Grissell flue tile remains, and ceramic, dating with the ones we recorded. We are (who is commemorated from AD250 – 400. The archaeologist very grateful to Mr Bax; without him on the Mickleham War concluded that ‘the presence of box a number of inscriptions would have Memorial along with flue tiles suggests a heated building, been lost without trace. his brother Francis) raising the possibility of a villa or We have had several interesting contacted us hoping to bath-house at or close to the site. requests for information about people find information about Given the early (Saxon) origins of the buried in the churchyard. A former the Grissell family who church, it is possible that it was built Dorking resident, now living in Marple owned Norbury Park in on a previous high-status Roman site’. near Stockport, was hoping to find the second half of the Blocked-up Saxon window on inside west wall of church tower. the graves of three members of the 19th century. We were The white stone is rock chalk, probably from the mine in Westhumble (now the bat caves) Sue Tatham 10 11 M&WLHG article from September 2017 Mickleham Parish Magazine M&WLHG article from November 2017 Mickleham Parish Magazine Spare the rod and spoil the child Guided Walk Around Dorking he first entry in the Punishment time. This enabled them to play an went on to become a pupil teacher, or our final event of the year 18 TBook for Mickleham School, Mixed important role in village life, and to gain received one stroke for disobedience Fmembers of our group met outside Department, was completed by the respect and trust of parents, many in 1914. This was not carried out by Dorking Museum for a guided walk Thomas Viney, Headteacher in 1911, of whom will have received a negligible the Headteacher but by Miss Aldridge around the town. Our guides, Jennifer and was dated 11th May when he dealt amount of schooling themselves. They who taught the Infant class. Another Langford and Wendy Foley, explained out two strokes to an 8-year-old boy held a highly regarded position that example of girls receiving one stroke that the museum occupies the site in Standard 3 for ‘Habitual Idleness’. was closely linked to the church, the each was administered when a group of the Old Foundry, where munitions A Punishment Book only recorded school itself being part of the church of three girls ganged up and were rude were produced during WW2. Outside corporal punishment and did so under establishment and subject to diocesan to a teacher. This ganging up was more the building is a piece of decorative strict conditions. It was necessary inspections, and they did of course live common among the boys: four were ironwork which used to sit on top of to record the date, the name of the in the village, at the school master’s punished for interfering with a pony St Martin’s church spire. offender, the class or standard of the house, constructed next to the school in Common Fields, five for trespassing Along West Street, Jennifer pointed pupil, the offence, the date and nature building, as was common in the 19th to obtain apples from Batchelors, four out the house of William Mullins, a of the punishment and by whom it was century. (Both these school houses, boys were charged with removing ice shoemaker who sailed on the Mayflower inflicted, finishing with a manager’s and the small village schools they were from a pond and putting it down a in 1620 with several members of his signature. attached have been converted into very younger boy’s neck, and eight were family. It is thought to be the only desirable residences!). involved in stone throwing in the This is the only Punishment book for remaining house of a Pilgrim Father in playground. Horseplay with girls on the school which survives, but it is Most of the offences that called for this country. William, his wife and son the Rec is also recorded. Six of one more than likely that there was at least punishment are quite predictable: died soon after reaching the New World and half a dozen of another I suspect! one previous book, probably starting in time-wasting, idleness, lateness, but his daughter Priscilla survived and lettering. Pump Corner was the old the Bishop of Winchester and son of 1844 with Caleb Howard, the first Head, inattention, rudeness, talking, all are One boy stands out for being in had ten children. Her descendants town centre where North, South, West the anti-slavery campaigner William who stayed for 28 years, and continuing common and, depending on their trouble consistently throughout his include the US presidents John Adams and East Streets converged (East Street Wilberforce. Samuel died after being with Robert Mortimore, Head for 33 frequency or severity, merited different time at school from 1911 – 1914. His and his son, John Quincy Adams. first offence, aged 10, was for being is now the High Street. Nearby in the thrown from his horse in Abinger years, before Thomas was appointed degrees of punishment. The usual Next stop was the United Reformed habitually late. In 1912 and 1913 he road stood the market hall, which had Roughs in 1873 and is remembered in 1907 and stayed until 1920. It would punishment was between one and four Church, built on the site of an older was found guilty of careless work, fallen into disrepair by the beginning of today for his strong opposition to have been interesting to compare strokes: the vast majority was of one Congregational Church. Dorking was th being late and disobedience. In 1914, the 19 century. The Lord of the Manor, Darwin’s theory of evolution. punishments meted out in the early stroke only, although two were quite always a centre for non-conformism; th aged 13, he had reached Standard 7 so the 11 Duke of Norfolk, had promised Some sporting history then followed. years of the school but the information common. Between three and five John Wesley preached in the town on he was well above average. Possibly he to rebuild it but died before this could Jackie and Wendy explained that an we have in the School Log books only were administered occasionally and I numerous occasions. Further down the was bored at school, but he continued be accomplished and so the building annual west v east Shrove Tuesday mentions suspension and detention. have only found one at six. The highest street lies the King’s Arms, the oldest to be a serious headache, damaging was demolished. football match was played in the Entries following Thomas Viney are number was ten strokes given once for pub in Dorking. In 1890 a Temperance made by Alan Piper from 1923 until thieving, and once for ‘writing filth’. It school property, kicking another boy, The construction of the turnpike road in town. Shopkeepers barricaded their Hotel (now Harman’s) opened, directly th playing truant and finally thieving. the mid-18 century greatly improved properties and a collection was made 1933 and there is then a gap until 1948 is not clear from the book where these opposite the King’s Arms, where locally From January to September he travelling conditions and several Dorking before the match to cover the costs of when Charles D Webb was appointed; strokes were administered until the brewed ginger beer was a popular drink, managed a grand total of 25 strokes. coaching inns offered a daily coach any resulting damage. By the end of he remained for 21 years until 1969 by 1960s when the distinction between especially with visiting groups of cyclists. which time corporal punishment was posterior and hand was made. This young boy was one of a family of service to and from London, taking the 19th century the game was banned On our way up Junction Road to about three hours each way. The King’s due to the damage caused and the almost extinct. Looking at the years It would seem that ‘Infants’ (under 7) 12 (two died young) whose father was South Street (pictured) we spotted Head on the corner of High Street riotous behaviour of the supporters. for which we have records, it is notable were not physically punished but once a gardener/labourer, and who had two the old sign on the wall for Gilliams, and North Street is believed to be the At Cotmandene we discovered another that up until 1918 these were always a child reached Standard 3 (typically brothers killed in WW1, one only days the stonemasons, a name familiar to inspiration for the Marquis of Granby in sporting tradition. In the 18th century, in double figures, the highest being aged 8-10), the system kicked in. after being awarded the Distinguished some of us from several headstones in Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers, with Tony cricket matches were played there and 1917 when 34 children were punished. Standards do not necessarily reflect Conduct Medal. After leaving school St Michael’s churchyard. We paused to Weller in the book modelled on William a painting hanging in the Long Room During the twenties and thirties, the ages and children from 8 to 13 might he worked on Box Hill and was involved reflect on the long list of names on the Broad, a well-known Dorking coachman. at Lord’s cricket ground depicts one of maximum was 10, all the rest being in achieve anything from Standard 4, 5, 6 in an incident cutting a boy’s football South Street war memorial, including these matches. single figures and often only one. We do or 7 before leaving. Only two children in half (worth 16/6d) after snatching Behind the High Street we meandered th those of Valentine Joe Strudwick, one have a gap then until 1948 and with one it. On his 18 birthday (1919) he down some of Dorking’s picturesque Those of us keen to see more made our during this time reached Standard 7 of the youngest of the war dead at 15 or two blips (1953 seems to have been joined the Queen’s Royal West Surrey alleys, catching glimpses of hidden way through the alleys behind the High when aged 12. This appears to have years and 11 months, and the three a bad year with 15 children punished) Regiment, a decision which may have cottages and colourful gardens before St up to Rose Hill. Here, in the mid- been the highest standard children Cubitt brothers, sons of Henry Cubitt, there are seldom more than one or two been influenced by his father’s suicide, stopping at the Old Pumphouse. Here 19th century, an attractive collection from Mickleham could achieve but 2nd Baron Ashcombe. On a lighter note, until our records cease in 1969 and in and stayed in the army until 1931 but a plaque marked with the initials RP of houses was built by the Dorking those considered academically able Jennifer pointed out that Reginald 1986 the practice was abolished in all we do not know what happened to commemorates Resta Patching, the Villa Company around a sloping grass might be entered for the county Boggis, whose name is also listed, in state-run schools. scholarships. If they did well they him after that. Judy Kinloch founder of the waterworks where paddock in the grounds of Rose Hill fact survived the war. water was pumped through wooden House. On our visit, lying contentedly It is interesting, and probably important could be awarded a scholarship which At Pump Corner our group was pipes from the Pipp Brook. on the grass, were several sheep! It for the villages of Mickleham and entitled them to a free place and travel Footnote: the very last recorded surprised to be shown a paving stone was hard to believe we were only a few Westhumble, that the headmasters expenses at the Dorking High School or punishment was carried out on 12th Passing St Martin’s church on our way with the word ‘WELL’ stamped into it, metres from Sainsbury's car park. By of the National Day Schools, as they alternatively a Technical Scholarship. March 1969, the crime ‘refusing to get back to the High Street we learned marking the source of water for the then it was time to head back to the were called early on, stayed in their Few punishments were meted out to up from the floor of the cloakroom’! that the 64m spire is thought to be the pump. We must all have walked on it Museum and to thank our guides for a positions for considerable lengths of girls. Nora Christison, a bright girl who One stroke. He shall be nameless… tallest in South East England. It stands countless times without spotting the as a memorial to Samuel Wilberforce, fascinating experience. Judith Long 12 13 M&WLHG article from October 2017 Mickleham Parish Magazine

>>> signals at the entrance to the Occupations in Mickleham 1914 –1934 tunnel. There was an unsuccessful n the Vestry, there is a book bound here I have limited myself to 20 years stockman and one dairyman are move by villagers in the thirties to Iin white with gold tooled lettering on and the occupations recorded as it is recorded plus nine milkmen. There was create a halt here, so that Mickleham the cover announcing that it belongs to this period, I think, that demonstrates a dairy herd at Mickleham Hall Farm, folk might avoid the daily journey to St. Michael’s Church, Mickleham. This most clearly the changes and the social and a much bigger one at Norbury Westhumble. To this day, trains sound is followed by the Royal Court of Arms, differences that were at the heart of Park Farm. Swanworth (called the their imminent arrival at its entrance and then ‘Register of Baptisms’. It has village life. Stud Farm in Leopold Saloman’s time but the crossing box was demolished in the 1970s and the gates closed for brass clasps which close it and lovely Gardeners lead the list of occupations, where he famously bred shire horses) the last time. Only one blacksmith, an marbled paper on the inside covers numbering thirty in all. In the early became a dairy farm probably during th important member of the community, that is common in late 19 and early years which we are covering this is by the 1920s. Certainly milking took th is recorded during this time, at the 20 century books. The label inside far the greatest area of employment for place at Cowslip Farm during WW2, forge on the site of the current Frascati. announces that the book is made by villagers. These are all married couples if not earlier, and milk was bottled on Mickleham was also noted for a Shaw & Sons, Poor Law Printers and as one would expect. To add bachelor site. Six agricultural labourers, and number of building families, such as Burford Bridge Hotel staff with Boxhill to London Coach 1930 Law Stationers based in Fetter Lane. It gardeners would I am sure vastly six carters are listed as well as one the six Batchelor brothers (there were is numbered 14491 and dated 1913. A increase the numbers. The addresses farmer and one bailiff. Both of the two sisters as well and child number the variety is huge. One such waiter community between those who lived volume with a pedigree. do not of course tell us who these latter would be employed, probably seven was named Septimus) who lived was Jesse Fuller, who worked for many and worked in the village on the one Page 1 is headed ‘BAPTISMS solemnised gardeners worked for but they lived by the owners of large estates, and in various village houses, in particular years at the Burford Bridge Hotel, hand and on the other those whose in the Parish of Mickleham in the in the cottages, such as Chalkpit and would have been in what we would ‘Mon Repose’ which they built, and ran although on another occasion he occupations involved travel to work County of Surrey in the Year One Elm Cottages in the village and were now call managerial positions. Two their business from Batchelors’ Yard styles himself Club Steward. Jesse was and wider horizons. thousand nine hundred and thirteen. employed locally by the big estates, gamekeepers and one forester show at the top of School Lane. The Child the father of Bill Fuller, waiter at the ‘Mickleham’ ‘Surrey’ and ‘thirteen’ are such as Mickleham Downs and Norbury us that the traditional sports of the Most interesting: what were a pearl family who arrived in Mickleham in the Running Horses for many years. Both all completed by the then Rector, WR Park, as well as by the Mickleham landed gentry were still in evidence. merchant and a wharfinger* doing in mid-19th century are another success attended Mickleham School and lived Lloyd, whose handwriting is large and gentry with large houses and gardens. Keeper’s Cottages are still so named land-locked Mickleham? story. William Child rose from arriving in the village all their lives. angular and whose spelling is a little It is interesting to be able to chart the in Norbury Park, there is another on (Some notable families, eg the Roses as a lodger/carpenter to owning insecure. The first entry records the gradual rise of the motor car. Only Box Hill, and the census records list a Moving up the social scale, we have of Rose’s Stores are not mentioned as houses and running a highly successful baptism on November th 16 1912, of three grooms and one coachman are succession of gamekeepers who lived those in positions of recognised they are not recorded in this book, the timber yard and building business. Nigel Frank, son of Albert Thomas and recorded over this period but there in Lodge Farm (then two cottages). authority in the community such as the youngest Rose being born in 1901). th Similarly, the Bravery family also ran Teresa Martha Clifton, and goes on are eight chauffeurs, clearly a rising The 19 century OS maps show an rector, the doctor and the headteacher. Judy Kinloch aviary in the garden; the remains of the Timber Yard in the London Road. Four residents describe themselves to record the date of baptism, when trend. Often the coachman had to *The wharfinger takes custody a brick building (with stove) for the These entrepreneurs worked and as ‘gentlemen’ while three put down the child was born, his given Christian switch from horses to motor cars, of and is responsible for goods rearing of pheasants, and an outside prospered, employing brickmakers, ‘independent’. Is this a quality, trade names, parents’ names and surname, quite a different beast. His role, for delivered to the wharf, typically has area that must once have been cages carpenters and painters. or profession, I wonder? However, abode and then Quality, Trade or example, had always been to hold an office on the wharf or dock, and still exist. The floor of the outside area Then there is what I think of as the professions are well represented Profession. In this case, Albert was the horses’ heads while a footman is responsible for day-to-day activities is covered by terracotta tiles. the middle ground, or white collar with an architect, civil servant, a telegraphist. Finally, comes the would be responsible for opening the including slipways, keeping tide tables workers, for example storeman, solicitor, various kinds of engineer, signature of the Rector, ‘by whom the carriage doors, letting down the step Other manual jobs are related to the and resolving disputes. The term is licensed victualler, publican, police merchant, barrister, member of the Ceremony was performed’. The book and escorting the ladies. With the railway, such as a platelayer, one who obsolescent; today a wharfinger is nd constable (living in the village at the Stock Exchange, the armed services, finishes on December 22 1974 when introduction of the motor car, it is was responsible for the maintenance of usually called a ‘harbourmaster’. police house), butler, chef, garage to name just some. So Mickleham was John Cornell was Rector. recorded that however absurd it may track, and a signalman who might have Wikipaedia. proprietor, electrician, grocer, waiter – a very mixed, one might say divided, This is a book that can tell us so much. seem the chauffeur often remained manned and lived at the Mickleham Photographs: Village archives As well as names, dates and addresses in the car (metaphorically holding the Crossing. Railway Cottages were tied we have the occupations of all those horses) while it was the job of the cottages built next to the level crossing who had their children baptised during footman to open the car doors. and the signalman was responsible this time. All of these categories Many occupations are linked to the for opening and closing the gates and would repay many kinds of study but land and farming. Ten cowmen, one operating the >>> Photographs: Village archives

View from Byttom Hill looking south before the by-pass (built in 1938). Dell Close cottages present, so picture taken after 1921. Left: Gardeners at Cherkley Right: Farmworkers with their carts at bottom of Byttom Hill, Mickleham Amazing to see that the only traffic is a horse and cart. 14 15 desire to know what had taken place three years and had seen the cook she had made about Mrs Blythe were Hidden Histories in the drawing room on the day the crying when he took vegetables to wrongful and had both apologised and retraction had been signed, the first Members of the Mickleham & Westhumble Local History Group are in the the kitchen. He had also heard her asked that proceedings might not be servant to be called was Priscilla Mace, process of recording the grave inscriptions in St Michael’s churchyard. Some of claiming that after Mrs Blythe had taken. What the jury had to consider house parlour maid, who had been the names recorded are familiar, others new to us and it is impossible not to be been suffering from diphtheria she had was whether she had signed under employed for several months. She had intrigued by the personal stories behind these gravestones. We have researched gone away drunk to Folkestone with a compulsion. He felt there must have seen the paper signed and identified some of these ‘hidden histories’ and in this article we relate the sad story of hospital nurse. Mr Dennis questioned been something wrong, some mental it. Sarah had not said anything to it why he had not reported these facts at weakness, as he could not imagine why being read out but had signed it. Also the time. she felt pursued, or that the unhinging Sarah Elizabeth Pack present on this occasion were the Mrs Blythe was in court with two of her mind was a result of signing the nurse and the kitchen maid. Further personal friends who had known her for document. throat was terribly cut, the head being made charges against her which were questioned, Priscilla said she had got several years to say what they thought In conclusion the Coroner expressed nearly severed from the body, and entirely untrue and had gone on to on fairly well with Sarah although she of these charges but the Coroner his regrets to the Pack relatives and an ordinary table knife which had accuse Mrs Blythe herself. Sarah was found her rather domineering and thought the court need not be troubled also to the Blythes and their servants been roughly sharpened lay nearby. then given a month’s notice by her had been accused of spilling beer with further evidence as to Mrs Blythe’s that they had been put to so much Mr Potts, a medical practitioner, was mistress but asked for it to be taken in the pantry, a matter she spoke to bearing towards her servants. Mr trouble. He considered that there was summoned from Leatherhead but she back, explaining that she was only Mrs Blythe about. She made further Blythe was concerned that if the jury sufficient evidence to warrant the jury was dead before he arrived. repeating what she had been told hocking Suicide at Mickleham references of intemperance and told believed Sarah’s statements about his finding deceased of unsound mind st although she would not say who Swas the headline in the Dorking On 21 May, the Coroner held an of Sarah’s mention of suffering from wife they would think pressure had when she committed suicide but if st by. Further pressed she said she had & Leatherhead Advertiser of 21 May inquiry into Sarah’s death at The rheumatic fever. At this point the been put on her which would tell against they wanted to add a rider based on forgotten. Eventually she signed the 1892 which reported the proceedings Running Horses. Mr Mortimore, head- Coroner intervened saying he only them. The Coroner said that the jury the evidence they were free to do document which was read aloud by of the inquest into the suicide of Sarah master of the National School, was wished to ascertain whether Sarah on the previous occasion had thought so. The Court was cleared and after a Mr Blythe in front of the servants. Elizabeth Pack in Mickleham. foreman of the jury and the Rector knew what she had signed. that Sarah had signed the paper under short deliberation, the jury agreed on It said that her accusations were Sarah was a cook, aged 37 at the time of Mickleham and the curate, his son, Emily Fulbrook was the next witness. pressure and did not know its contents a verdict ‘that deceased committed completely false. He said he had told of her suicide, and had been working were also present. A Croydon solicitor She had been hired as a temporary but in the light of further evidence suicide when of unsound mind, and Sarah he could not give her a character for a Mr and Mrs Blythe of White watched the case on behalf of the nurse while there were children at there could be little doubt that she they further considered that her mind reference without mentioning why she Lodge, Esher. A week before her death relatives. home. She said she was rather deaf knew what she was doing and why she was unhinged prior to signing the left and advised her to get a reference she had arrived at Rectory Cottage The first witness was George Pack but had heard most of what had had been asked to sign the paper. She paper retracting her statements.’ from a previous employer. (This she in Mickleham, where her brother and it is at this point that the story’s been read of the paper’s contents. On had acknowledged that the statements appears to have misunderstood.) He Continued on following page >>> and sister-in-law, George and Mary, complications and contradictions start leaving the room Sarah had asked the finished by saying she was a very good Photograph: Village Archives lived. He was the church sexton who to arise. He said Sarah claimed she had witness if she could tell her what it cook and an extremely nice woman. would have been responsible for the been dismissed by Mr Blythe with no had meant; witness said she thought churchyard and digging graves and was notice after having been required to After a few questions from Mr Dennis, Sarah had not understood it and also employed as coachman to the sign a paper which retracted certain the Coroner summed up. He considered had been confused. Mr Blythe then then incumbent, the Rev’d WH Harke, statements she had made concerning Mr Blythe had behaved reasonably claimed Sarah had accused his wife while Mary was the church caretaker, the ‘intemperate’ habits of Mrs Blythe given the serious accusations made of ‘ungovernable temper’ but the responsible for the interior of the and her inability to keep servants for against his wife’s character. He had other servants had never had cause church. She was known in the village any length of time. This was said to done no more than the Coroner would for complaint. There follows claim and as Mrs Pack the pew-opener (this have been made in the presence of have done. There was no evidence that counter-claim about whether or not was when the pews were boxed in other servants. Sarah swore not to Mrs Blythe could not keep servants, 15 servants had been dismissed in a with doors). They would have been a know what was in the paper and in indeed the cook had been employed year, whether the Blythes ‘gave way respected couple. addition Mr Blythe told her that if she for 18 months. If he had known to drink’ and the reason for Sarah’s The first newspaper report of the did not sign she would be taken into the consequences of his actions Mr excessive crying. The witnesses which events appeared on 14th May. The custody for slander. He gave her notice Blythe had said he would have acted the jury had wished to hear had now Packs had noticed that when Sarah for the next day and paid her to date differently. In fact, the Coroner could finished their evidence. find no fault with Mr Blythe’s actions arrived she had appeared worried but but gave her no money in lieu of the Mr Blythe was then allowed to call although he sympathised with the had thought it would pass off. On the month’s notice that would have been further evidence. Firstly Ethel Toms, deceased’s family. The Court was then morning of her death, after breakfast due. George also commented on his parlour maid of two years, mostly cleared but after consultation the jury together, the women had cleared the sister’s state of mind; he says she during the time Sarah was employed. desired that the enquiry should be things away and then Mary went to woke up every morning afraid that the She said that the Blythes were most adjourned until the following Friday, see George in the stable yard. On her police would come for her and was kind to their servants and she never at which hour the other servants return she could not find her sister- convinced the Blythes would blacken saw either of them any the worse for from Esher should be in attendance as in-law and after telling her husband her name so that she would never be wear from drink. She had only left to witnesses. they both set out to find her. She employed again. Among various other nurse a relative. She also talked of crossed the fields at the back of the strange behaviours she was found The Coroner’s court reconvened a week Sarah crying and of going out to buy house adjoining the Rectory where reading the Psalms, crying by herself later. Present on this occasion were gin, a pint bottle at a time, which she there was an unused pit while he and literally shaking with fear. Mr Dennis and the Rev’d WH Harke as kept in her bedroom and would last went in another direction. Nearing Mr Blythe, a solicitor by profession, before as well as three servants in the her about two days. employ of the Blythes. On this occasion the pit she saw her sister-in law lying was the next witness. He said that a Henry Arthur Forman, gardener, was both husband and wife also attended Mr Mortimore, head-master of Mickleham National School in it and ran to tell George who then housemaid had complained to Mrs next. He had been employed for over ran to the police house. The woman’s Blythe that the cook (Sarah) had the inquest. In order to fulfil the jury’s and foreman of the jury with Mrs Mary Pack,, Sarah’s sister-in law. 16 17 M&WLHG article from December 2017 Mickleham Parish Magazine

Photograph: Judith Long >>> continued from previous page Author’s comments: Village feelings are strongly in favour of the Pack family. Our Railway Station included in the Sarah’s burial on 17th May was The jury, headed by Mr Mortimore, reported in the parish magazine of insisted on further evidence by the Top 10 in Britain June 1892 with the comment: ‘We servants to back up Mr Blythe’s demur strongly to the insinuations statements. Sarah as a servant in the aving written books on Britain’s of the Coroner at the inquest lately household would be considered socially H1,000 best churches and 1,000 held in this village on the sad death inferior, almost certainly less educated, best houses, former Times editor of Sarah E Pack. We repudiate his and therefore more vulnerable to Simon Jenkins has now taken on suggestion about the possible cause pressure. The Coroner, on the other railway stations. In a recent review of the deceased’s mental condition hand, identifies with the Blythes, of his latest book, Britain’s 100 Best as unwarranted by facts, and directly finding Mr Blythe’s actions eminently Railway Stations*, the Guardian chose opposed to the opinion of all who reasonable and what he himself would its top 10 – one of which was Box Hill knew her best. Her relatives may do. The presence of the Rev’d Harke and Westhumble. rely upon the sympathy of the whole and his curate would seem to show Rather than describe the article, it is village with heavy sorrow.’ support for Mr and Mrs Pack, trusted easier for me to use Simon Jenkin’s Sarah’s grave may be seen in Mickleham servants of the church. The church’s own words: churchyard. The inscription reads ‘In attitude to suicide had changed and it Were I to tire of travel, I should loving memory of our sister, Sarah was no longer a mortal sin; daylight apply, Betjeman-like, for the post Elizabeth Pack’ with the date of her burial was permitted to suicides from of stationmaster at Box Hill & death and her age. This is followed by 1882 but the full burial service from the Westhumble. My visit was on a warm summer’s day, with the soft outline the poem ‘Crossing the Bar’ by Alfred Book of Common Prayer was not used. Box Hill for Burford Bridge Station from an original 1900 postcard photograph published by Lord Tennyson, the last four lines of The servants’ evidence is equivocal. Sarah Pack’s headstone of Box Hill on the North Downs in the Action Packs. Note striped tiles on roof of tower and middle gable. They make statements that suggest have triggered an acute anxiety that distance. Passing trains were mere which read: slate. The facade to the platform is of rafters as in a medieval hall-house, is Sarah’s behaviour was certainly not ultimately led to her suicide – but the irritants. The manor in which Fanny For tho’ from out our bourne of two steeply gabled wings, separated by occupied by a friendly coffee bar cum normal but it is impossible to say method she chose was horrific which Burney lived, a pub and a scatter of Time and Place/The flood may a large off-centre bay with ornamental bicycle shop called Pilgrim Cycles. The whether or not she was of unsound would suggest a mental condition. cottages were hardly visible. This is as bear me far,/I hope to see my Pilot tower. At one end is an elaborate porch Pilgrims’ Way runs nearby. mind before she was dismissed. The There could surely be no other reason perfect a rural halt as I know. face to face/When I have crost the resting on extravagantly floral Venetian mention of custody if she did not for her accusations unless of course It was not until the 1860s that the Which I think is a pretty accurate bar. columns. Judy Kinloch sign the retraction would seem to they were true. London, Brighton & South Coast Railway reflection. I can particularly recommend (LBSCR) built a line from Leatherhead The station sits in a dell, so thickly arriving a few minutes early to catch a to Horsham. The station, by company treed that to wander to the end of train, and wandering to the far end of Task Group Report: Website architect Charles Driver, is a marriage the platform is to feel lost in the the (now-extended) platform – it really of his favourite styles, French château woods. The platform sign carries lines does have a ‘deep-in-the-country’ feel. n April we launched our new website – reason for the change however is of local characters ranging from the with elements of Venetian Gothic. There from local Victorian author George Chris Budleigh www.micklehamwesthumblehistory. that in future we will be able to allow 1890s through to the mid-1900s. As Meredith, declaring: 'Nowhere in I appears to be more roof than wall, the Station occupant co.uk If you have visited it you may users to access many more of the well as adding to this we plan to have building being composed of sweeping England is there a richer foliage, or *Jenkins, Simon (2017) Britain's 100 have noticed that it has a rather more photographs and articles that we have pages dedicated to photographs of gables covered in layered patterns of wilder downs and fresher woodlands.' Best Railway Stations, Viking modern appearance and hopefully it in our archives. We have made a start the church, schools, events and local The former ticket hall, with roof is now more user friendly. The main by putting on several photographs landmarks, plus links to many of the interesting articles on local history that Editor's note: In 1861 when the proposed route of the railway from Leatherhead have been published in the Mickleham included parts of Norbury Park, the then owner was Thomas Grissell (1801-1874) who Parish Magazine over the last 33 years. made his fortune as a public works contractor. His firm was responsible for constructing a number of prestigious buildings in England, including railway stations. Thomas laid You will also be able to find details down stringent conditions for the proposed railway, including a tunnel which should of many of our activities including have no shafts and the company was forbidden to disturb the surface above it. At his details of the Oral History projects, behest the railway station at Westhumble was built in the French château style.

newsletters, up coming events and a Photograph Ben Tatham link to our 50-page publication about the Mickleham War Memorial. Already several people, often from outside the Box Hill and area, have used the Contact Us page Westhumble station today. to make enquires, usually relating to their own historical research and of Far left: The porch leading course we are happy to help them to what was the whenever we can. So please do have a booking hall. look at our website, feel free to make Note description comments or let us know if you have in text above. any photographs or documents of Left: The station local historical interest that we could looking north The Bridger’s wedding circa 1940, with members of the local volunteer fire brigade as consider for inclusion. Roger Davis from the 'up' guards of honour. Mr Bridger was the gardener at Dalewood. platform 18 19 From the archives Westhumble Chapel of Ease

Gate to Camilla Lacey, Mrs Ball’s Cottage and Barn Mission Room – contemporary views circa 1870. The railway through Westhumble was opened in 1867. During the building of the railway this late 17th- early 18th century barn on the Norbury Park estate was used by Elizabeth Vulliamy to provide a rest room for the navvies during their spare time. From about 1870 it became a mission hall. The painting on the right is in the Dorking Museum archive.

Left: Chapel of Ease in 1904 In 1884 the mission hall was renovated and the rustic porch added. At the turn of the century the interior was transformed and a simple altar added and in 1904 it was licensed and consecrated as a Chapel of Ease to the Parish Church. Below left: The Chapel of Ease in 1979. The extension on the southern end replacing the porch was built in 1950. Below right: Mrs Ball’s Cottage (Camilla Lacey Lodge) today.