SOME TIME ago a reader enquired about the history of Oxhey Grange in Oxhey Lane. MRS WILSON, of 46 Hillingdon Road, Kingswood, Watford, responds.

In 1872 William Thomas Eley lived in Oxhey Grange. In 1878 he gave £500 towards the building of St Matthew's Church.

Mr Eley made additions to Oxhey Grange from designs under the direction of Mr W Young of Exeter Hall, Strand. The building is of yellow stocks with red brick introduced in the quoins and arches half timber work in oak is also brought in and some weather liling.

The porch is constructed in oak with massive turned posts, and the half timbering of the circular bay has uprights of turned oak, the panels filled in alternately with brick work and sashes. The coves at eaves and corbels are executed in plaster, divided into panels with oak ribs. The plaster work has insized ornament scratched in it with bottle ends here and there introduced with rather a pretty effect. The internal work has been carried out mostly in oak with oak dados in the billiard room and halls and oak chimney pieces going up to the ceiling, the one in the dining room having subject tiles by Messrs Simpson, representing the feast and the song.

The chimney piece in the drawing room in statuary and Siena marble has a carved frieze from the models of the late J H Philip representing the seasons. The hearth is in mosaic of similar marble made by Messrs Burke and Co.

The whole of the internal work even to the bedroom where oak chimney piece with tiles is introduced, has been carried out from special design by the architect. The ceiling of the drawing room is the work of Messrs George Jackson and son of Rathbone Place.

There was once a drawing of Oxhey Grange in the Royal Academy.

James Doyle Penrose and his wife Elizabeth (Lady Peckover) bought the estate from the Eleys. They were active Quakers who were instrumental in building up a Friends Meeting and Adult School in Watford and he was happy to loan them a field at Oxhey Grange for a cricket club. At one time J.D. Penrose was a Deputy Lieutenant for Cambridgeshire and for years a magistrate for the counties of Cambridge and Herts.

J.D. Penrose was an artist and made his art the expression of that deep sense of the all pervading presence and love of God. His many pictures include Iduna and the Apples of Youth, Christian at the Cross etc. The climax of his work was reached in two Quaker subjects The Presence in the Midst and None shall make then afraid (otherwise known as Fierce Feathers).

The latter tells the story of a little Quaker community in New York State quietly sitting in worship despite the intrusion of threatening Indians.

J.D. Penrose was a gentle, kindly gentleman with strong convictions about temperance and pacifism.

As a matter of interest a card has been discovered dated June 1916 and is from a Quaker conscientious objector. It says that he is working at Oxhey Grange cutting pea sticks. He is sleeping in a loft and having meals at the Rose Tea Gardens.

In 1932 the estate was divided into lots and sold. Mr Fred Absalom bought Oxhey Grange. Much of the 400 acres was used as a building development (e.g. Carpenders Park).

Mr Jarvis has now purchased Oxhey Grange and converted the old stables and the coach houses into fine residential properties.

I would be pleased to hear from anyone who remembers Oxhey when Mr and Mrs J.D. Penrose lived in Oxhey Grange.

June 14, 2002 10:00