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.