The story of Marlow’s Court Garden and Higginson Park

I AM sure that most of you know the story of Marlow’s Court Garden and Higginson Park – originally a private mansion and estate built in the 1700s for Doctor William Battie, the top consultant of the day for mental disorders. It was his reputation that resulted in the phrase “Going Batty” – it’s true!

When in 1925 the last owner Robert Griffin died, the house and estate came up for sale, attracting the attention of property developers who viewed it as a potential riverside housing estate. A committee of local dignitaries was formed to try to raise enough funds to purchase it for the people of the town, but also to honour the 100th birthday of General Sir George Higginson who became the figurehead of the enterprise, which was entitled “The Sir George Higginson Birthday Centenary Fund”.

Top left is the Sale Prospectus issued by Bidwell & Sons, who are still in business, whilst top right is a picture from a similar period showing the house surrounded by trees, and the towpath bordered by a fence keeping it apart from the estate, although I understand that Mr Griffin kindly removed this barrier on Regatta days.

The remaining six panels on this page are from a most fascinating pamphlet giving details of the fund accounts and how the money was eventually raised and the purchase completed.

This all culminated in a ceremony on July 5th 1926 when Princess Mary handed the deeds to Sir George and he in turn passed them over to the Marlow Urban District Council. Of course, Sir George was a close friend of the Royal Family, members of whom had made several visits to his home “Gyldernscroft”.

The list of donors fills two pages: Sir George gave £300, a big amount in those days, the price of a small house, plus a further sum from his beloved Grenadier Guards, whilst Thomas Wethered the brewers donated £250.

Lovells Builders and Morgan’s Department store each gave £100. I have only printed details of the largest donors, the complete listing would fill this whole page, but, scrolling down to the bottom, I see that Lloyds Bank Ltd. only managed £3, W,H.Smith & Sons £2, and Sidney Chalk’s Hardware £1.

My pamphlet is yellowed and in poor condition, but I hope you are able to read the interesting report from the Chairman of the fundraising committee Canon Michael Graves, a former Headmaster at Sir William Borlase’s School.

The Free Press staff all deserve congratulations for producing a normal edition last Friday in these difficult times. There was, however, a small glitch in my column in that a heading from a previous page was retained. This week’s heading, above, should begin “Fundraising to....” If it doesn’t I will come round and put a refund through your door.

Contact Michael on michael@jazzfans.co or 01628 486571