The Old Rectory
My latest guest blog for Country Life has just gone live and features The Old Rectory in Thurgarton. The house has been the centre of village life ever since it was built in 1848.
The Old Rectory
The land and patronage in the village of Thurgarton was in the hands of Trinity College Cambridge and they instructed a new house be built for the new vicar, Reverend Henry Lea Guillebaud. The plan of the house, originally called ‘The Manor House’ is still kept in the Nottinghamshire Archives and shows that not much has changed since it was first built.
Manor House - The Old Rectory 1848
The Old Rectory 1848
The 1851 census shows that Reverend Guillebaud was first living in the house as a batchelor with three live-in servants; a groom, housekeeper and a housemaid. He later went on to marry Jemima and had five children while continuing as the vicar of Thurgarton for 20 years, until 1872.
The next vicar of Thurgarton, Reverend Atwell Baylay moved into the house and continued as vicar of Thurgarton for almost 50 years, only moving on in 1920. In 50 years as vicar, Baylay was clearly a central part of village life, bringing the village into the 20th century and helping with a number of projects, including the opening of a convalescent home for children recovering from tuberculosis, known as The Whitehouse.
Opening of The Whitehouse in 1910 (Rev. Baylay is in the centre with the white beard)
Image courtesy of Thurgarton History
It was during the 1930s, shortly before World War II, that the newly appointed Reverend George Herbert Halstead decided the house was too large for his needs and a new vicarage was built. The Old Rectory was sold and we find in the records after the war that it had become a private home.
For the full history go to - The history of The Old Rectory
Great history and super photos!
I have examined The Old Rectory: the Story of the English Parsonage, published in 2009 and scheduled for my blog next month. As soon as it appears, I will go back and create a link to your post. Many thanks.
My post appeared and received responses largely along the line of “Why keep the parsonages? The history of the property can live on, even with new owners. Why not release the funds for the benefit of their congregations?” Given the discussion in The Old Rectory: the Story of the English Parsonage, and the review in Spectator Book Club, http://www.spectator.co.uk/books/5635548/part_3/parsons-displeasure.thtml#comments
this was perhaps unexpected.
You noted that Rev Baylay was clearly a central part of village life. Would you say that is still true in Thurgarton?
all the best
Hels
Hi there
Thanks for the update on your post on parsonages. The use of houses like this can often provoke some very different but valid opinions…I’m sure the debate will go on for many years as well.
Regarding the situation in Thurgarton at the moment, I’m not sure, as I’m not based in Nottinghamshire, but I’m sure the church and the local vicar do still play a vital role. However, you’d have to contact them directly to get specific details.
Thanks for the comments.
Melanie
Dear Melanie
I enjoyed your history of The Old Rectory
I’ve just ported a history which includes the earlier Manor House which might be of interest
at http://www.thurgartonhistory.co.uk/2011/01/the-old-rectory-of-thurgarton/
Thank you so much for the link to the Thurgarton history. This is a great overview and highlights the wealth of information that can be acquired by local knowledge as well as what can be uncovered by delving deeper into the archives at Cambridge University. Thanks!