When Lynda Herity invited Carol Sale round for a coffee Carol was hesitant. Lynda’s house, Chauffeur’s Cottage in Clockhouse Mews, in the grounds of Chorleywood House, had been Carol’s home from 1954 – 1958.
“I was really nervous about going back there 60 years on but I’m so glad I did” says Carol. “It was amazing to see how it had changed.”
Chorleywood House Stables and barns were converted into 12 residential houses in 1998 plus 3 new terraced homes were added, all now named Clockhouse Mews and Heritage Walk.
“None of the original character of the house remains although the layout is much the same.” explains Lynda. “It got to a point when the developers couldn’t rescue anything.”
“Although it was different inside it took me right back and I could remember where things were.” says Carol, “There is a window in the corner now where the back door was and the staircase went straight up from a latched door. We were living there because my father was a driver for the Council who owned the Estate. It was such a happy house; we were quite posh with a bathroom and airing cupboard! I played in the garden a lot, often pushing the cat around (dressed in baby clothes) in my big Silver Cross toy pram! I went to Christ Church School. My friend Stephen lived in the cottage with a verandah behind the Black Horse and would come over every Sunday with his mum Elsie and we used to go for a picnic down at the Chess.
My parents were White Horse customers and brought friends back for sing-alongs. It was a tiny space but we all piled in! I remember having my 6th birthday party in the front room with Stephen and a neighbour Rosemary Simons. Bill Cattle took photos!
The house still has that warm welcoming feeling and I am very happy that Lynda is living in it and loving it.”