Compiled by Birute Dobrovolskis
Extract from ancient MSS. "Thos. Taylor & Richard Burrell conveyed to John Fauntleroy his title to the 12th part of Headley Estate. Many hundreds of years ago his ancestor was the natural son of one of the (English) Kings (enfant du Roy), who begot him of a miller`s daughter of Crondal, when hunting in the adjoining forest called Alice Holt and gave him the Headley alias Hetherly Estate, situated at the edge of the forest, then called Heath House." (Earliest date at which the house is found - 1555)
"Thos. Gatehouse Jnr of Wallop, Esq., married Ann Maria Huggins eldest daughter of Wm. Huggins Esq., by Licence." This William Huggins offered the use of his house in Headley Park to Dr. Smollet, on his `enlargement from the King`s Bench,` but the doctor would not leave London.
Memorial in Headley Church: "Here lies William Huggins Esq., first scholar of Charterhouse, then a fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford. His genius was so happy, quick and versatile that he easily acquired whatever befits a scholar and a gentleman. He was versed in well- nigh every branch of literature and made a special study of Italian poetry. He enriched his native language by a faithful translation of the great poet Dante and the inspired songs of Aristo. In private life he was courteous, polite and witty; in public serious, of proved integrity and most patriotic. Though fit to move in a Court, he lived modestly in the country far from the Court. (This refers to the fact that in his early years he held a Court appointment) His life was one of leisure, but his leisure was never without occupation. By his administration of the laws, by composing the differences of neighbours, by helping all according to his means, he gained respect as a citizen and a magistrate. He died on July the 3rd A.D. 1761, aged 65." (William Huggins lived at Heath House "later Headley Park".)
The Tithe Map shows that the Headley Park area was owned by William Langrish of Picketts Hill (once known as Piggot`s Hill). The Land on which Headley Park now stands was called Lodge Field as was the Scout Camp area over the road. Only a cottage and garden are referred to on the site at this stage. The old mill is referred to as Pack Mill House and garden.
(Did William Langrish have a daughter called Jane Elizabeth Catherine who married James Watt in 1856? - query noted from Parish Records on the website for Headley)
During a great drought, a fire began near Trottsford Farm that destroyed woodland, which extended from Headley to Petersfield. This great fire in Woolmer Forest was extinguished by the efforts of 1000 persons for 3 days digging trenches.
Sale particulars show a map, like the Tithe Map, giving only the reference numbers for the site.
Headley Park and Picketts Hill, freehold estate,
426 acres and other detached properties - Monday 29th November 1869
at the Auction Mart, Tokenhouse Yard, London, by Messrs Henry Downs
and Francis D. Awbery for William Langrish at Picketts Hill Farm,
sold to James Watts.
CENSUS: Headley Park
* George CRAFT (age 41) Gamekeeper
* Jane CRAFT his wife (age 36)
Sir Henry Keating P.C. resident at Headley Park.
CENSUS: Headley Park Mentioned Headley Mill Farm then, The Lodge, Headley Park,
* Hannah BARNES (age 37) Domestic Housekeeper to
* Sir Henry KEATING
* Ada BARNES (age 9) daughter of Hannah Barnes
* Jane HARRIS (17) Kitchen Maid
There is a record that the present house was built at this time. Earlier records mention "Heath House" on this site.
CENSUS: Headley Park
* R.S. WRIGHT (52) Head of Household, batchelor, Judge of the High Court, born in Somerset.
* A.E. BOLTON (63) visitor, living on own means, born at sea on a British Ship of War.
* Frederika HOLMES (58) Ladies Maid, born in Hanover, a British Subject.
* Hannah BARNES (47) Housekeeper, born in Devon.
* Elizabeth JOSLIN (60) Parlourmaid, born in Devon.
* Ada BARNES (18) Telegraphist, born at Elsham, Hants.
* Ellen DAWES (21) Servant, Housemaid, born in Surrey.
* Harry WILLIAMS (25) Groom, born at West Byfleet, Essex.
* George CRAFT (49) Head of Household, Widower, Woodman/Farmer born at Elstead, Surrey.
* William DAWES (55) Head of Household, Widower, Agricultural Labourer born in Hampshire.
* Kate DAWES (15) daughter of the above, born at Kingsley, Hants.
* Alfred DAWES (10) son, scholar, born at Headley.
* William BURROWS (17) son in law, Groom, born at Headley.
* Kate MESSINGHAM (10) daughter in law?, scholar, born at Headley.
* Frederick FULLICK (45) Head of Household, Farm Servant, born at Headley.
* Ann FULLICK (41) Wife of the above, born at Headley.
* Herbert FULLICK (14) Son of the above, Farm Labourer, born at Headley.
Adam FULLICK (10) son, Alfred FULLICK (10) son, Frank FULLICK (8) son,
Alice FULLICK (6) daughter, Charles FULLICK (4) son.
Information on previous owners of Headley Park, gleaned from various sources:-
SIR ROBERT WRIGHT (1837-1901)
Had been a philanthropist and a Socialist and the ballroom was decorated as a moot hall, where he invited Socialists to hold seminars. Sir Robert died in the library of Headley Park (now the dining room). The present Lounge Bar was the original dining room.
Memorial (213) in Headley Church reads: "In loving memory of Sir Roberts Samuel Wright, 1837 - 1901, Judge of the High Court, his wife Merriel Mabel (nee Chermside) 1857 - 1916 and their child Evan Stanley 1894 - 1900/ They loved and adored the world God gave them to live in."
Clock installed at Headley Parish Church in memory of the son of Sir Robert and Lady Wright, "Master Jack", Evan Stanley, who died suddenly from the `flu aged 7. The initials of the parents and child appear in the corners of the clock
History given by MRS BARNARD (formerly Mrs McAndrew) of Picketts Hill Farm in 1996. Mrs Barnard died in the autumn of 1999.
CHARLES W. McANDREW, her late father-in-law, owned a shipping line (McAndrews, later taken over by P & O) he travelled around the countryside looking for a suitable property to buy for himself and his family. He looked at Sandringham among other places but chose Headley Park (around 1901) because he was keen on shooting and as the hop tithes had been redeemed he could lay it out as a "shoot". The property was in the hands of the executors or Sir Robert Wright. However, because of some legal wrangles the sale was cancelled. Mr. McAndrew and his family went to Rome for the winter and once the legal issues were resolved, bought the property for £10,000. They moved in the winter of 1902. The locals were furious at the arrival of strangers and threw bricks (a brick?) Through the windows. Mr McAndrew and his American wife were horrified.
Florence McAndrew (nee Worthington), his wife, started one of the branches of the Womens Institute. In Headley - a blanket crocheted by her is in Mrs Barnard`s house.
Charles and Florence had three children, Gerald, (born 27th July 1891) Mary (born 1896) and Charles (born 1898). Charles Arthur Worthington McAndrew, the younger son, was a 2nd Lt. in the Royal Field Artillery, 24bde. and was killed in action at Vermelles, France, on 26th April 1917 aged 19.
Extract from the Game Book kept between 1920 - 25:
1925 Cold inoculation - anti-catarrh.
Chilblains - calcium lactate. Bottle of 5 grain tablets.
Plant rhododendrons in Bull Copse this autumn.
Mum - fruit knife - crystallized fruit. Dad - shooting stick seat.
Birthday present for Moll./ crushed morocco on soft leather cigarette case with initial or name on top corner./ Christmas present for Rob. Pair of Zeiss field glasses.
The McAndrews gave the gift of the Village Hall to Headley.
Florence McAndrew died on 30th December 1929.
Mrs Barnard married the eldest son, Gerald McAndrew in 1932 . Gerald Alexander McAndrew had been educated at Winchester and Magdalen and had served in the 7/5th Hants. Regt. in India and Palestine 1914-18. A newspaper article in the Hampshire Telegraph gives a detailed description of the wedding including the guest list and presents given (separately) to the bride and groom. A present of a clock was given to them by Lord and Lady Baden Powell. Both Gerald and his bride, Patricia, were keen on guiding and scouting. An extract from the article -
"The sun shone brilliantly at the wedding at All Saints` Parish Church on Saturday (6th Feb 1932) between Miss Patricia Margaret Elphinstone O`Brien, youngest daughter of Lt. Col. Sir Charles O`Brien K.C.M.G. and Lady O`Brien of Crabtree, Headley and Mr Gerald Alexander McAndrew, eldest son of Mr. Charles W. McAndrew J.P. and the late Mrs McAndrew of Headley Park, Hants."
Mr. Charles died on the 19th July 1934 and Gerald and his wife moved into Headley Park. Gerald`s sister, Mary, was so attached to the house, she never married and wanted to stay on at Headley Park instead. However after the marriage of the eldest son she had to move to another house belonging to the family. She was Mary Louise McAndrew (1896 - 1983)
Headley Park was a great shoot and both Charles and Gerald were keen on pheasant rearing. There are copies from a notebook belonging to Gerald which record the game shot (and ferreted) on the estate and what was sold locally, between 1920-26. (Pheasant, rabbits, woodcock, partridges). At some time a gamekeeper called Griffiths who had been jilted by a kitchen maid committed suicide in a caravan, (where he stayed to rear pheasants) on the estate. Mrs Barnard was awoken by a shot in the night and that was Griffiths.
The Barnes family (mentioned in the census) still have descendants living at Headley.
Mrs Barnard's three children were born in the Blue room (room 3) at Headley Park. Room 10 was built on just before the war. Rooms 16 & 17 were the children's nurseries - night nursery, day nursery (Room 18) and child's bedroom.
During the war there were evacuees and army using the house. The children of the household were delighted when the servants left because they had the run of the house.
The family left Headley Park after the war because the course of the River altered and affected their supply of electricity and water so it was not possible to continue in the house. They lived at the Swan Hotel in Alton for a month and then moved to the dower house - Headley Wood Farm. Later Picketts Hill, which had hop kilns, was renovated and Mrs Barnard went to live there. (35 years ago - around 1960`s?). Mr Gerald McAndrew, her husband, died relatively young at 53 - having a heart attack while on a day at the races, 16th April 1950. Trottsford Farm, now home of Dr. Eric Garnett - Eye Surgeon, was formerly the home farm of Headley Park.
The panelling in the bar end of the ballroom came from an old vicarage in Basingstoke. The large stone mantlepiece in the Ballroom was brought from Italy by Florence McAndrew also a fountain in the garden was imported by her. The builders of the enlarged Headley Park were a firm from Churt called Chuter (as yet there is no clue to the architect). The McAndrews collected antique cabinets and these decorated Headley Park.
On the western side of the Park, near the common, stood a building called "Ariosto's Temple" and this was looked after by the owners of Headley Park. This has since been destroyed. There is a romantic poem by Ludovico Ariosto (1474-1533) called "Orlando Furiouso" which may have inspired the building as Mrs Barnard says there were other such temples in Hampshire. A famous line from that poem reads: "Nature made him, and then broke the mould." Or maybe this harks back to Wm. Huggins (died 1761), the translator of Dante and the poems of Aristo who had lived at Heath House later Headley Park.
The path beyond the old swimming pool which continues up into Headley Wood estate was the path taken by previous inhabitants to reach the village church. The wild daffodils and snowdrops in the woods on the right of the path, still within Headley Park, have been there for over 100 years. At one time ospreys bred on the lake but there is too much traffic now. Mrs Barnard tells the story that her brother in law released a black rabbit into the grounds and for some years after, there were a number of black rabbits about. The cottages known as Headley Park Cottages (Laundry Cottage?) and a Victorian folly nearby were occupied by the butler and the chauffeur in her time.
The village of Headley and some surrounding area is in the Bishop`s Sutton Hundred and Park Mill (the ruined tower of which is all that remains) was a corn mill converted to supply water and electricity. The cottage adjoining, became a ruin and teenage relatives of Mrs Barnard`s would go in there to smoke cigarettes and managed to start a fire which finally burnt it down. Subsequently, locals unlawfully removed the remaining bricks.
Headley Park was once part of 8000 acres of royal forest. In Victorian times the chief crops were barley and wheat. Headley Parish covers 6,871 acres - 52 of which are covered in water. It is a place of springs. Mrs Barnard still retains the Lordship of the Manor.
Headley Park subsequently became a boys' Prep School called Crusaders, which existed for 10 years before the estate was sold to the Lithuanian Association of Great Britain, the money for the purchase was collected from Lithuanian immigrants and refugees who wanted a place of their own in exile which would remind them of their homeland - a land of birch trees, lakes and pine forests. The property is referred to by Lithuanians as "Lietuviu Sodyba" or "Lithuanians' Homestead"
In 1999, the house had six resident pensioners and some live in staff and was run as a private members' club with fishing and shooting facilities and an open air swimming pool. Lithuanians and their descendants and those from the newly independent Lithuania were members.
The main Lithuanian gatherings are at May Bank Holiday (Whitsun) and the last week in July (Scout Camp). The house is now a hotel with a number of en-suite letting rooms and a Lounge Bar. Weddings and Parties are catered for in the Ballroom and Dining Room (Library). Caravan Club rallies, Motorbike rallies, Civil War Society meetings and many similar events have been held in the grounds, which cover 52 acres. There are also privately owned caravans on the Estate.
The following is an adaptation by Sean Murphy of a translation of the Declaration written by Fr. Aleksandras Geryba, priest in residence at Sodyba.
"Inspired by the longing for our own native land, we, the Lithuanians of Great Britain, gathered here together on the 29th May 1955 at Headley Park, do declare that this little corner of land acquired by our collective means, in this country so well disposed towards our needs, will remind us and our children that we have left our own dear native land for whose freedom we and our children will fight to that day when our flag will be raised again, in freedom, over Lithuania as it is here today above our Lithuanian homestead in Britain - our Sodyba."
Peace and tranquility; you will fall in love with this location.
Headley Park is the ideal setting for your wedding, business seminar or just the relaxing break you need.
Copyright 2003 - 2006
© Lithuanian House Ltd
Picketts Hill, Sleaford
near Bordon, Hampshire, GU35 8TE