There was a pond in the middle of the green, railed all round, with an
opening for cattle to be able to get to the water. A little distance
further on was an estate called Lords Grove. Facing the pond there was
an old-fashioned white house called “Gothic Cottage,” with garden and
fields extending some distance down Blackup-lane; then all fields till
one reached a large white house with verandah covered with beautiful
creepers standing in its own grounds, with meadow beyond. The last
tenant and owner was Richard Anstey Simmonds. He had the walls of his
dining and drawing-room hand-painted, having artists from London to do
it. Unfortunately the firm in which he placed all his money failed, and
as it was before the time of limited liability, he was absolutely ruined.
A subscription was started, to which the public generously responded, as
every one was very sorry for him.