Hall with a glorious past

10:28am Friday 8th February 2008

GUARDIAN reader, Leslie Jerman, from Theydon Bois had researched the history of Debden Hall for years without success, but a lucky break saw hime come into contact with the last living man to reside there.

You may have passed them many times, but never given them much thought.

They are a pair of blacksmith-made gates in England's Lane, Loughton, just off Debden Green. They are rusting away.

The estate they belong to has existed for a long time.

Sir Richard Chiswell, son of a London merchant, erected Debden Hall in 1715. It came up for sale in 1920, but nine years later it was destroyed by fire.

It was later acquired by the Austin family, who ran a large furniture business, and Mr Austin built the new hall in 1930 with materials and fittings in the mansion coming from America.

The estate passed into the hands of trustees until January 1948, when it was bought by Thomas William Parker. Another potential buyer had been Sir Stafford Cripps, the former Government minister.

After the last hall was burgled in 1960 it was sold to a builder and demolished. Part of the land is now covered by houses and called Ripley View.

The last person to live in the hall, Godfrey Parker, who now lives in Wiltshire has just got in touch with me. He heard of my search via a letter in the Guardian on the internet.

Mr Parker and the internet have put the hall back on the map again.

In a letter, he said: "I was away at boarding school, and it was clear to me that my home was unlike that of the other boys. We had staff at Debden Hall. Living in were a housekeeper and maid. In addition there was a dairy maid, two and sometimes three full-time gardeners plus a chauffeur.

"One of the gardeners informed me that prior to the war there were 20 gardeners. The stream had a waterfall, and water from here could be diverted into ponds in the rockery.

"Many guests came to play tennis, snooker, table tennis and cards - usually about 12, but it could be 20.

"In 1957 I went to Theydon Bois to have private dancing lessons. The lady running them occasionally organised Saturday evening sessions for the pupils at the pub near the station!"

Mr Parker was born in Chigwell in 1939, and eventually left Debden Hall in 1958 to start his own business next to the Atomic Weapons Establishment of Aldermaston.

His father, Thomas William Parker, was a civil engineer, who built many houses.

Mr Parker said: "I have looked over many houses in my time, but have never seen a house containing the superior quality construction of Debden Hall. I still feel my home and roots are in Loughton, and I am very fond of the area."

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