to Eric Sykes' house on the new estate near Old Slade Farm.

The original mansion was generally known as Richings Lodge or latterly as The Mansion and was destroyed by fire in 1786. The precise size, style and date of the original house remains unknown. It had clearly been an establishment of some affluence and importance: the will of Dame Ursula Salter in 1649 reveals possessions of significance - leather covered chairs, turkey carpets, rich carpets and coverlets, matching damask table linen, furnishings from 'the Prince - his chamber'. The estate had never been of great extent and the house was not a Manor.

A new house was built by John Sullivan in 1786 in different location. It was then known as Richings Lodge. A regular visitor was Sir Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington. The 3 storey square house was built in yellow brick with stone facings and a bowed garden front leading to the park. Either side was a

single storey arched arcaded gallery leading to pavilion buildings housing the usual offices - kitchens, stores etc. It was furnished with Adam fireplaces and a huge staircase, which was said to be big enough to fill one of the new houses on the estate.

According to a 1938 newspaper account, there was in the library a panel filled with dummy books which was a secret entrance to a hall which at one time served as the ballroom. Some of the old kitchen quarters were demolished in the 1930s.

From the house there were 3 carriageways. The principle one in the Meekings' time (now Main Drive) was bounded by an avenue of Turkey Oaks and comes out on North Park where a gate lodge known locally as Coombe's Lodge (demolished c1988) was located. There were large gates at this entrance which were taken for scrap in the 2nd world war. A shield from the gates, bearing the Meeking and Tower Arms (Col Meeking had married Adelaide, a daughter of

Christopher and Lady Sophia Tower) was found in a ditch by Mr Reeves. It was found folded in half and was cleaned and preserved by Mr Draisey of North Park, to whom it was passed when Mr Reeves moved away. Opposite Main Drive was almost a continuation of it (now Richings Place) which lead to the old manor laundry (Shires End or No 5 North Park now demolished).

The north-west carriageway led to the Home farm which has been well preserved externally though it now consists of private residences/ the golf club. This route crossed a magnificently decorated bridge over the lake channel created as part of the gardens. An engine house was located beside the bridge, which subsequently became a cottage called the Pump House. The drive divided with one part going to the home farm and one part back to North Park where another gate lodge (long since demolished) stood.

The third carriageway headed south