dagnams stables and walled gardens

 

This map shows the central area of the park as it was in 1919. The stables to the north-east of Dagnams are shown surrounding the courtyard area (coloured brown).
The photograph was taken in the direction of the yellow arrow standing on the green spot in about 1950. The bell tower is also marked yellow.


The wall that surrounded the garden only exists below ground level. But the round concrete “pond” that many assumed to be an ornamental fishpond still exists. But as Dorina Neave mentions in her book “Twenty Six Years On The Bosphorus” it was in fact a bathing pool. A step down into the pool can still be clearly seen if you should wander over to take a look.


Go at sunset; you might see the stone dog and, if in June, even catch the scent of Roses.

The walls to the garden were demolished later than the mansion in about 1959. As can be seen from the map they surrounded the garden on three sides, with the south-western end being mainly buildings. At the far end of the gardens large greenhouses were present. It is not known when they were built but they were in a state of disrepair by 1959. Behind the greenhouses just beyond the north-east wall was a row of four Walnut trees, which were trained to hang over the wall. Because of their precarious angle, over the years they have all collapsed. In 1974 three were dead on the ground and only one was alive and standing. There is no sign of them today. A Mulberry tree that was trained in the same fashion still survives; it is in poor condition but in good years still bears fruit. It was traditional for farm houses to have a Walnut tree and they are still present on the estate; there is one near the Community Centre/Citizens Advice Centre (Gooshays Farm), Pyrgo Priory School Playground (Dagnam Park Farm) and The Red House (Harold Hill House). There may well be others; The Morris Dancer is a good bet.
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click on picture below to enlarge

photo by dave sampson

 

We all know things in the park have gone from bad to worse, So put the dates on these two photos of the Bathing Pool (round pond). One was 1973 and the other 2003.

 

photo by del smith
photo by del smith
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