THE MANOR HOUSE SALE
Considerable interest was taken locally in the auction sale which Messrs Knight, Frank & Rutley, the well-known London auctioneers, conducted at the Manor House on Wednesday. A few years ago the Rev. J.L. Lopes established a home at Badsey for boys and youths and for this purpose he acquired the Manor House and the residence further along the village known as the Stone House, together with certain land upon which it was proposed that the boys should work. Very extensive alterations and restorations were carried out by Mr Lopes at the Manor House, and to a lesser extent at the Stone House, and the total cost must have amounted to very many hundreds of pounds. At the Manor House, for instance, electric light, and a heating apparatus, etc., have been installed, and many of the rooms have been panelled in oak, and new windows and window fittings have been put in, the quality of everything being of the best. Mr Lopes proposed to erect a chapel at the rear of the Manor House, and some little time ago the foundation stone was laid with great ceremony. No further progress was made in this matter, and at the sale on Wednesday the foundation stone, standing forlorn in the neglected ground at the back of the house, was quite an object of interest to the visitors. It was announced at the sale that the vender reserved the right to remove this stone. A range of glass houses and other buildings had also been erected by Mr Lopes. Some little time ago the home for boys was broken up, all of military age, we believe, entered the army, and Mr Lopes entered the Roman Catholic Church. Consequently, Messrs Knight, Frank & Rutley were instructed to offer the property by auction, and they also offered a large quantity of furniture, chiefly oak, which Mr Lopes had accumulated at the Manor House, and the Stone House. A good company attended the sale, but the room in which the proceedings took place was not sufficient to accommodate all of them, and only a portion of those who got in could get a clear view of the articles as they were put up.
The Manor House, described in the catalogue as an interesting example of fourteenth century architecture, and said to have been built by the monks of Evesham, with garden, etc., amounting to just over five acres, was first offered with six and a half acres of meadowland, known as Brook Meadow, and nine acres of market garden and orchard land, situated on the corner of Evesham and Badsey Road. Both these enclosures have considerable road frontages. For these three lots, put up together, there was not a single bid. The Manor House was then offered separately, but the persuasive eloquence of Mr Charles Phillips (who was the auctioneer actually engaged in the sale) again failed to arouse the interest of the visitors to a pitch sufficient to induce them to bid, and the lot had to be passed. We understand that negotiations have since been opened by a possible purchaser.
Brook Meadow otherwise known as Green Synehurst was next offered. It was put in at £250 and was knocked down to Mr Henry Johns, of Badsey for £450. It was stated that about three years ago Mr Lopes purchased this field by auction for £710. Mr Henry Johns then being the other principal bidder. The corner piece of market garden ground was then put up; it is let to Mr Thould on a lease expiring three years next Michaelmas at £36 10s per annum. There was no bid for this lot. The Stone House, described as a fine specimen of late sixteenth century work, was next offered. It was put in at £300, and at £600 Mr A.E. Jones became the purchaser. The Solicitors concerned in the sale were Messrs Corbould, Rigby & Co of London.
The furniture was subsequently sold. Altogether there were about one hundred and thirty lots, including a number of antique pieces. On the whole good prices were realised, the total amount approaching £300. One or two dealers were present, but most of the lots went to private purchasers. The only lot which aroused much interest was a 4ft. 4in. Oak semi-dwarf cupboard, with a pair of panelled doors, the fronts and sides having linen-fold panels. This was bought by a dealer for £18.