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Ash next Ridley - Parish Information

W.I. History of Ash and Ridley from Earliest Records to 1957 - Page 14

Holywell Park Estate - continued

This estate covered a considerable area in the parishes of Ash, Ridley and Meopham. Much of it must have been in the Manor of Holliwell or Hodsoll. We cannot learn much about it until early in the 18th Century when it was the property of the Fletcher family. There are a few earlier documents dealing with parts of it. It remained in the Fletcher family for well over 100 years. In 1885 it was sold in 7 different lots.
   When the Fletchers first had this property, the big house was known as "Rands House". The greater part of the estate was in Ash and Ridley, it included two home farms, the inn known as "The Green Man", the bakers shop (now a general shop and post office), the house "Greenfields", with a forge attached, the whole of "Pettings", "Cooks Farm" (part of this farm was in Meopham), "New Street Farm", "Horns Lodge", The Haven with "Haven Cottage", "The Malthouse" (then 5 cottages) and several other cottage properties. Before 1885 brick-making and lime burning was carried out in part of the home park.
The present house, "Holywell House" was built by Michael Deane Fletcher on the site of the old one. The bricks for this house were made on the estate, but many of the old bricks were included in the structure.

   At the 1885 sale we learn that Mr Amos James Fletcher, a cousin, bought some of the estate and in 1887 it is recorded that Mrs Fletcher left her considerable property around Hodsoll Street to the Reverend David Lamplugh of Yalding Vicarage, who in 1893 commenced to part with the properties.
   The description of Holywell House grounds in the sale catalogue of 1885 reads as follows:- The pleasure grounds which are tastefully laid out, are studded with ornamental shrubs and timber, the gardens are well stocked with flowers, vegetables and thriving fruit trees, and have the convenience of Greenhouse and two Hot houses fitted with furnaces, complete Heating apparatus, etc., with Potting shed and Fuel Store".
   A Mr Hole then had the house and park for a short time, he was followed by Mr Gore. In 1902 Mr Raoul Hector Foa acquired Holywell Park Estate and added to it, by a series of purchases, the following farms:- Ridley Court Farm (present occupier by Mr Howie), New Street Farm (present occupier Mr Clements), Eldridge Farm (occupied by Mr Johnstone), Black Horse Farm (occupied by Mr C.B. Wood), Dairy House Farm (occupied by Mr A.R. Lucas), Pond Farm and Ridley Poultry Farm.

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