OPINION: Marlow's 'list of shame' buildings

IT’S always nice to get feedback, and from the recent “Quoitings” column my comment on buildings in Marlow that (in my opinion at least) should have been preserved brought several requests to list and feature them.

All except one of these have been pictured, or at least mentioned, in this column over the years, but here they are, all together on one page, but in no particular order.

1. Marlow Railway Station.

A Victorian gem, with gas lighting, coal fire in the waiting room, and friendly staff. Demolished 1968 to make way for an entrance to the Industrial Estate, but now a line of new houses. To describe its replacement as “basic” is an understatement.

2. The Tithe Barn in Station Road.

Also demolished in the 1960s, after latterly being used as a barrel store for Wethered’s Brewery.

Other towns are proud of their historical tithe barns.

3. The Rookery.

Bequeathed to the people of Marlow by the last owner Mrs Wright.

The Urban District Council promised it would become the town’s new Community Centre complete with swimming pool, but it was instead sold and replaced by Rookery Court.

4. The Grape House, Spittal Square.

An ancient balconied and vine-covered house that did not deserve to be included in the demolition of most of the Dean Street area. Just a car park now.

5. Greyfriars, Lower High Street.

Somehow George Currall, in the 1920s, got planning permission to convert this unique Georgian property into a part of his new car showrooms and garage.

6. St. Thomas House.

Marlow’s first Hospital or “Spittal” that gave the street its name.

Ended its life housing Boddy’s Newsagents and was demolished in 1964, an action that received strong criticism in the National Press.

7. The Greyhound Hotel.

A famous 17th Century Coaching Inn adjoining St. Thomas House and demolished at the same time.

In 2019 thoughts of losing a fine and historic building like this would cause astonishment.

8. Sunnybank, between Higginson Park and the river.

The one I have not mentioned before, but it was another impressive building.

With every respect, the replacement Dunstable House is hardly an architectural masterpiece.

Part of Sunnybank’s boathouse, entrance under the towpath, remains today at White Lodge.

There are a few other much missed buildings, but with considerably lesser reasons to retain them.

The Mill, for example, was gradually falling into the river, and the Cinema was not doing much business in 1984, with no money available to convert it to multi-screens.

(Following last week’s column, the Marlow Society’s historian Janet Smith emailed me to say that it looks very likely to have been Queen Mary’s speech for her Marlow visit, but may have been written out for her by a Lady In Waiting.)

Contact Michael at michael@jazzfans.co or 01628 486571