Search Results
305 results found with an empty search
- The Broom-Squire by Sabine Baring-Gould
The archive holds a copy of the hardback edition below. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabine_Baring-Gould From Wikipedia: A broomsquire is someone who makes besom brooms for a living. It is a trade that was historically associated with heathland areas of England . The broomsquire tended to use heather or birch twigs gathered from the heathland to make the brooms . They also grazed cattle or sheep on the poor vegetation. The broomsquire was described by Sabine Baring-Gould in his novel The Broomsquire written in 1896 and set in the Devil's Punch Bowl , Hindhead . In his 1903 ghost story The Blood-Eagle , Robert Hugh Benson hints at links between broomsquires and paganism. From Goodreads: Set in the Surrey area of southeast England and rich in local color, The Broom-Squire gives an account of an infant girl orphaned by a vicious murder. Baptized Mehetabel, she is reluctantly taken in by the Verstages, proprietors of a public-house called the Ship Inn, in exchange for a small stipend from the local parish. Suffice it then to say that Mehetabel grew up in the Ship Inn, almost as a child of the hostess and of her husband, with their son Iver as her playmate. Eighteen years later, Mehetabel has grown to be a beautiful and intelligent young woman whose presence imbues the Ship Inn with a breath of youth and cheerfulness. She catches the eye of Jonas Kirk, also known as the Broom-Squire because he is one of a settlement of squatters whose chief industry is broom-making. When the materialistic older man proposes marriage to Mehetabel, explaining he is in need of a housekeeper, she is initially horrified. However, Mrs. Verstage pressures her to accept on the basis of Mehetabel being “only a charity girl” with no other future ahead of her—though, secretly, she sees affection growing between Mehetabel and Iver and is determined to separate the two. Mehetabel soon finds herself caught between Iver and the Broom-Squire. What follows is a story of violence and manipulation that has been compared to George Eliot’s Silas Marner and Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D'Urbervilles . Sabine Baring-Gould 1834 - 1924 The book is available new in both hardback and paperback as well as through many second hand on-line booksellers: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Broom-Squire-by-Baring-Gould-S/9789356087583
- Hole Cottage
Photographs only of this Grade II listed building (23rd December, 1983) Mr Nash and Mrs Norman (his sister), at Hole Cottage, Summer 1978 Surnames of previous owners include: Ayres; Norman; Nash Hole Cottage - a southerly view Hole Cottage with Bedford Farm in the background
- The Clump - through the ages
Only photographs The Old Post Office at The Clump. Mr Tozer was the first postmaster, he had the first telephone in the village. The Acacia trees were planted in memory of William Cobbett, Postcard date stamped 1912. Thursley Clump 1897, looking towards The Corner, we believe the sheep belonged to Betty Weeden's great grandfather who at the time farmed Upper Ridgeway Farm Street House, The Corner and The Clump with Acacia trees. The Clump, 1990s May 2009
- Cosford Farm
See also Cosford Estate and Cosford House. The following is taken from an undated sales brochure by Grantley: Cosford Farm, we understand, dates back to the 17th Century and now comprises a very versatile country house situated in an enviable setting. Our clients bought Cosford Farm in 1998 and immediately undertook an extensive renovation of the buildings to now create the very flexible accommodation arranged today. The house boasts some impressive reception rooms including the grand drawing room, a wonderful vaulted dining room with stone walls and beamed ceiling and the sitting room with its impressive fireplace and wood burning stove. https://grantley.co.uk/property/bedford-lane-thursley/ From the archives: Previous surnames of owners include: Walters; Rooke; Clay; Hirst; Watchorn Cosford Farm, from a distance, c1990?
- Bowlhead Green
https://earth.google.com/web/@51.1398953,-0.68751104,112.63724356a,4518.48894138d,35y,72.17247331h,0t,0r/data=OgMKATA Listed buildings and conservation area. A view of the Chapel taken from Corner Cottage in the early 1920s. Holly Cottage, formerly Yew Cottage can be seen. It belonged to Heath Hall, the estate of the Yalden Knowles and used to be two cottages. A view of "Timbers", which used to be two cottages. The Gale family once lived in the right hand side, which had two bedrooms. The Walkers lived in the left hand side. Timbers A view of Forge Cottage which dates from the 16th Century and an anvil stands outside as a memento of the forge site. Forge Cottage was the home of the Gale family from 1932 to 1938. Miss Fulford built the extension for the Gale family. The little shed housed the engine for the pump of the well of Corner Cottage. A group by Bowlhead Green's village seat taken in the late 1930s. On the left is Margaret (Mag) Gale and Bill Cooper who married her. He was Parish Clerk from 1948 to 1983. He was also responsible for the Thor sign. On the right are friends of theirs from London. The oldest part of Emley Farmhouse which can bee seen on the right hand side. It was a four-bay timber framed house with many characteristics of immediately post-medieval period called the smoke bay period, i.e. 1550 - 1590. The house featured in an episode of "Foyle's War". Emley Farmhouse in the early 1920s. The wisteria on the front can be seen and the bay tree on the left. It was lived in by Colonel and Mrs Vesey. Mrs Vesey was the daughter of the Loring family who lived at Emley from the early 1800s. The Veseys lived at Emley until 1929. Emley Hill House in the 1980s Emley Hill House, Bowlhead Green, 1990's The herbaceous border of Emley Farmhouse which once boasted the best garden in Surrey. Unfortunately, in 1948 it was let to Mr Pentcheff, a Bulgarian diplomat. He completely ruined the garden by allowing poultry, ducks and pigs to free range. Emley Farmhouse showing the chimney from the bread oven. The bread oven is one of the best preserved and has an iron door hinged at the bottom. The building on the right was built to house. a pair of mongoose given to the Lorings in 1914. The barns at Emley Farm. The extensive farm buildings show that in the past a traditional mix of arable and pasture farming was practised. The driveway of Emley Farm leading to the garage and cart shed, the old granary can also be seen. Holly Tree Cottage Soldiers from the Royal West Surrey Regiment resting in Bowlhead Green Ian and Gill Mclellan, Blackhanger Farm, 1996 Blackhanger Farm in the 1980s Tom and Grace Ranson, Bowlhead Green Farm, 1997 Ian and Aly Warner, The Old Post House, 1997 Emley Hill House and its garden (below), 1997 Robin Hill The Clockhouse, 2024 with sales particulars below https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/bowlhead-green-godalming-surrey-gu8/GLD012219749 Greenacres Halnaker Hall, Bowlhead Green (Hall's Cottage)
- Mill Farm
Mill Farm was historically part of the large Cosford Estate in the Thursley area, sold in June 1952 along with other properties like Cosford Mill and Cosford Park . Part of the sale brochure for the break-up of the Cosford Estate Barns at Mill Farm, 1981. They have since been demolished and the timber re-used to build a party barn at Milhanger Fiona and James Ranson on the silage heap at Mill Farm. Sue Ranson writes: The farmhouse was a semi-detached two up two down, certainly not very grand. It even had the small bathroom in the kitchen! Sid and Maddie Hall, the farmer, were Eddie Morgan's parents, Sid's brother lived in the other half. Both Sid and Maddie did a lot in the village societies Sid especially in the Horticultural Society I believe there is a cup named after him. Robert's father bought the farm after Sid retired but he continued to live in the cottage. The original old buildings which were next to the old mill are gone now (Roger Taylor built his party barn on the site) and we built the barns. When the highways people widened the A 3 we had all the sand they dug off and used it to flatten the site on which our new barns are built. Cattle in Eastlands, Mill Farm
- Cosford Mill
Photographs only of this Grade II listed building (19th June 1991). See also Cosford Estate. The Vale of Cosford - from a print dated 1812 Cosford Mill and the Bakehouse Many other photographs of the mill can be found here: https://catalogue.millsarchive.org/informationobject/browse?topLod=0&sort=relevance&query=cosford+mill The lane of beech trees near Cosford Mill in 1990's
- Thursley from above
Thursley Village Drone photograhy courtesy Jackie Malton Thursley Churchyard
- Punch Bowl Farm (formerly Pit Farm or Pitlands)
From Historic England : House. C17 extended in C20. Sandstone rubble with brick angle quoins and dressings, and brick extensions, under plain tiled roofs, hipped to right. Two storeys with gable lit attics over basement plinths. Plat band over ground floor and rear stack to left. Two first floor and one ground floor casement window, one window on each floor and one in the basement storey on the left hand return front. One five-light casement window between the timbers of the gable end. Ribbed door to right in pentice roofed porch in the re-entrant angle formed by the two ranges. Wooden C17 window mullions in window adjacent to re-entrant angle on wing. From an undated painting by Eva Webb Below is the lease for Pitlands 1560 This picture was painted by Eveline Lance who lived at The Outlook c1920 Field map of Punch Bowl Farm John and Mary Keen at the turn of the 20th Century and other contemporary photographs Stables at Punch Bowl Farm Aerial views of Punch Bowl Farm Photographs of Peter, Jo and Sally Scheffers and the farm taken in the 1970s Punch Bowl Farm, formerly known as Pitlands or Pit Farms, retains a three bay timber-framed house dating from the 16th century with a large smoke bay at the southern end. In the 17th century a stone parlour wing was built in front of the original two-storey house. This wing has two storeys plus an attic as well as a cellar underneath. The farm was formerly part of the Cosford Estate until its sale, by auction, to Monica and Bill Edwards who acquired it in 1947 (the conveyance was on 13th November 1947). It was bought as Pit Farm but immediately renamed Punch Bowl Farm. It was then immortalised in print by the numerous books written by Monica where it was referred to as Punchbowl Farm, the most famous being “The Unsought Farm’. I the late 1960s, Monica and Bill retired to the bungalow they had built above the farm but close to the badgers Monica still holds so dear. The Scheffers moved into the farm in September 1981. Four years later the land at Upper Highfield Farm was purchased from John Robertson and both farms are worked as one producing beef cattle and sheep. In 1994 the Punch Bowl Fold of Highland Cattle was formed and are grazed, during the summer, in the newly fenced northern section of the National Trust’s ‘Devil’s Punch Bowl’. As well as the farm animals we also have three horses, two cats, a goose and one elderly, but very naughty donkey, ‘Briar Rose’. Josephine, Peter and Sally Scheffers at Punch Bowl Farm, 1976 Surnames of previous owners: Keen; S Hall; J Hall; Edwards; Chalmers Punch Bowl Farm, 2014. Photographs by Sean Edwards Bill Edwards mowing Barn Hill
- The Red Lion Inn
The Red Lion Inn, which closed as a pub in 1958, was infamous for its connection with the murder of the Unknown Sailor which is linked below. The Red Lion pub around 1901. The Jubilee rooms can be seen on the right behind the shed, became the Red Lion garage. Photo taken from above the Red Lion Garage; note the Cleveland petrol sign which was the subject of much debate Bar of the Red Lion Inn The Red Lion Inn - pre 1914 The Closure and sale of the Red Lion Inn: https://www.closedpubs.co.uk/surrey/thursley_redlion.html
- Highfield Lane
WORK IN PROGRESS: See separate entries for The Old Parsonage, St Michael & All Angles, Upper Highfield, Lower Highfield, Hedge Farm, Hall Farm Barns, Hill Farm House: *denotes separate entry Photograph by Sean Edwards THE OLD PARSONAGE* ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS* Photograph by Andrew Kaplanovsky HILL FARM HOUSE* Photograph by Sean Edwards Highfield Bungalows and Cottages. Photograph by Jill Fry Photographs by Sean Edwards HIGHFIELD BUNGALOWS 1 Highfield Bungalows, the home of Adrian, Teresa and George Linegar in 1997 2 Highfield Bungalows, this photograph of Ray and Peggy Stokes was taken in 1993 4 Highfield Bungalows, Eddie Gale photographed in 1997 Eddie Gale Mr & Mrs Arthur Gale on his son Jim's motorcycle outside Highfield Bungalows. Nos 3 & 4 Highfield Bungalows. Surnames of previous owners of No3 include: Winter and Dobson; of No4 include Avis, Woodger, Grant and Gale These, more recent photographs, were taken by Sean Edwards: HILL FARM COTTAGES HILL FAR BARNS* Photograph by Sean Edwards COPPER BEECHES Sale particulars in September 2025: https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/highfield-lane-thursley-godalming-surrey-gu8/gld012456244 THREE ACRES Thursley born and bred at Three Acres HALYCYON FIELDS, formerly THE BRIARY Information to come Brian and Mary Sharp, The Briary, 1997 AMBLESIDE Sale particulars in September 2025: https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/highfield-lane-thursley-godalming-surrey-gu8/gld012510005 FOUR WINDS Taken from 2018 sale particulars. View of Four Winds from Highfield Lane HILL HOUSE David and Catherine Phillimore, 1997 Surnames of previous owners of Hill House include: Middleton; Drewery; Edwards; RONARY Ronary Bungalow was built in 1994 and named after Mary Rapley's original home nearby Mary Rapley, 1994 HILLDOWN Home of the Smarts and the Emersics in 1997 Anne Marie Emersic lives there now LOWER HIGHFIELD FARM* UPPER HIGHFIELD FARM* UPPER HIGHFIELD COTTAGE Sale particulars prepared by Knight Frank in 2024: LITTLE COWDRAY FARM
- The Cosford Estate
Cosford House estate is an historic property dating back many centuries and it included several properties such as Cosford House, Cosford Mill, and various cottages. The name Cosford is believed to be derived from the Old English words "cōs," meaning a choice or election, and "ford," referring to a river crossing. It is presumed that the estate was named due to its location near a significant crossing on the River Wey. The first documented reference to Cosford House dates back to the 13th century when it was mentioned in a landholding document. See also Sale of the Cosford Estate, June 1952 From Historic England: In the medieval period, Cosford House was owned by the de Thurmarsh family, who were prominent landowners in the area. The estate remained in their possession for several generations until it changed hands through marriage in the 14th century. Over the following centuries, the ownership of the estate continued to pass between various families, including the Albury, Bray, and Evelyn families, who were all prominent figures in English society. In the 17th century, Cosford House underwent a significant transformation when it was purchased by Sir John Evelyn. Sir John was a renowned diarist, horticulturist, and author, best known for his invaluable work in the field of arboriculture. He extensively renovated the hall and its surrounding gardens, turning it into one of the most luxurious and impressive estates in the region. Sir John Evelyn's influence is still evident in the estate today, with remnants of his exquisite garden designs and landscaping. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Cosford House continued to thrive under the stewardship of various owners. The estate saw numerous additions and improvements, including the construction of additional outbuildings, such as stables, a chapel, and farm buildings. The hall and its grounds became renowned for their grandeur and elegance, drawing visitors from far and wide. In the early 20th century, Cosford House faced a period of decline as the estate's owners faced financial difficulties. The estate was bought by the trustees of Robert May's School in Odiham in 1913, and the archives of the school record their stewardship of the farm and its relations with tenants. However, this endeavour was not to last and the school closed in the mid-20th century. In 1952 the estate was broken up into 25 lots at an auction held in Guildford (see Sale of the Cosford Estate). Colonel Philip (W.P.H.) Rushbrooke and his wife, Hilda photographed in the early 1930s. Hilda sold the estate on the death of Philip in 1951 and went to live on the coast. The estate was very impoverished as such low rents were charged. Hilda Rushbrooke, who was Irish, and unfortunately stone deaf. We believe she married Philip in the early 1930s. In more recent years, the estate changed hands several times, with different owners attempting to restore the former glory of Cosford House. Numerous restoration and preservation projects have taken place to ensure that the hall and its surrounding gardens maintain their historical significance. Today, Cosford House remains a private residence and is not open to the public. About 1900, no climbers visible on the house. According to the rate book of 1854, Cosford Estate was owned by Colonel George William Eyres. The rate book of 1870 lists Miss Rushbrooke as the owner. Cosford House in the 1920s with the creeper on the house. Captain Rushbrooke is listed in the rate book of 1884 but may have been here earlier. The staff at Cosford House in the late 1920s. Philip Rushbrooke took over the estate on the death of his father. Pageant at Cosford House in the late 1920's












