Whyteleafe Snippets Weekly No 1
By Mr P. Skuse
The Bourne Society is pleased to be given the opportunity of providing a regular column of local history interest concerning the Parish of Whyteleafe, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Society, which started life in 1956.
I should like to start off this year with some interesting snippets about what was once the Whyteleafe House estate, latterly almost completely demolished, and yet some walls and flints remain

In a bill of the early 1850s, the Estate, comprising an area of 18 acres, 2 roods, 3perches,
was offered at auction for a reserve price of £1900
The particulars extolled "A Valuable and Important Freehold Property . . . Delightfully Situate on Rising Ground, and in the Midst of Bold and Varied Scenery for which this Neighbourhood is so Justly Celebrated."

Potential bidders were encouraged to view this "Capital Modern Residence built in the Gothic Style, Most Agreeably Placed within its Own Grounds to aSouthern Aspect . . ."  The accommodation offered 9 bedrooms, 3 box rooms, "Large Dining Room and Drawing Room, Library, Entrance Hall, 2 Water Closets, Commodious Kitchen, Scullery with Force Pump, 3 pantries, Housekeeper's room. . ." and in the basement there were a "Dairy, Larder, Store Room with Iron Door, and Three Cellars - for Beer, Wine, and Coal." Additionally there was "a Detached Stable Building with Turret Roof, containing an Expensively Fitted Stall and Loose Box, Harness Room, Coach House and Large Loft," with an Office Yard, Ranges of Substantial Outbuildings, a well, reservoir, engine pump, Conservatory, Lawns, Grounds and terrace walks, a walled Garden planted with Fruit Trees, a Forcing House, Orchard, Plantations & Pasture Land, including a "Beautiful Elevated Site opposite the Residence, adorned with several handsome Yew, Fir, and other Trees, also a Pretty Cottage and Garden"

Further to this "the Residence is replete with every essential for a Country Abode, is in a
charming and healthy Locality, and is especially suitable for a Gentleman fond of Field Sports, as the Neighbourhood abounds with Game, and is within the Meets of three Packs of Hounds"

Whyteleafe House in its heyday was locally renowned, and it is to its owner - Mr Drew - that locals owe thanks for the church
It was Mr Drew who responded to the waybill described above and then donated the land described above as "Beautiful Elevated Site opposite the Residence" to the Church Commissioners together with the "Pretty Cottage and Garden" for use as a vicarage
Now the church is the only living building remaining on what was once thegrounds of
Whyteleafe House

Based on the author's Whitebeam article,  February 1990]
Whyteleafe Snippets Weekly