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Imagine yourself
living in the Victorian age. The year is 1881. The location is Walton-on-Thames,
an idyllic village in County Surrey, England, with a population of about
2,500 souls, mostly employed in agriculture and domestic services. The distinguishing
feature of this area is the Ashley Park Estate, a 430-acre fiefdom owned
by the Sassoon family, descendants of Jewish merchants who acquired the
Estate in 1863. The land, and the site of Riverdene, is part of the original
hunting grounds of Hampton Court Palace, established by Henry VIII in the
' 1530's. The Sassoons are very supportive of the local community -hosting
fetes, sporting events (cricket, golf, etc.), and celebrations on the Estate,
open to all from the village of Walton. Regardless of the family's Jewish
background, St. Mary's Parish Church in Walton enjoys a legacy of their
kindness and frequent contributions in both time and money. |
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In 1881, Joseph S. Sassoon, age 23, and heir to Ashley Park Estate, commissions
the renowned Victorian architect, R. Norman Shaw to build Riverdene, one
of seven dwellings that exist on the Estate in addition to the mansion,
Ashley Park House,the home of the Sassoon family. The Estate is subsequently
sold, and the mansion is demolished (in the early 1920's), but Riverdene
remains, having been sold to a developer by Dulcie Sassoon (daughter-in-law
to Joseph) and her brother-in-law David (son of Joseph) - an established
artist at the time. In 1923 Seigfried Sassoon, nephew of Joseph, also gains
renown as a well-known poet during the years of the Great War (World War
I) and thereafter. |
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| The historic connections of Riverdene to
the Sassoon family - some of whom were confidantes and friends of two Princes
of Wales, the future kings, Edward VII Edward VIII, and William Gladstone,
a past Prime Minister - end with the sale cited above. Thereafter, it is
acquired by several others (including, at one point, a bank). The year is
now 1959. This marks the acquisition of Riverdene by a prominent family,
Otto von Radowitz and wife, Penelope, who come with credentials extending
back into the aristocracy of Germany, far beyond the Victorian period. The
Radowitz's are a family of diplomats, originating in Hungary in the 1400's.
It is at Riverdene where they rear their family until, with children gone,
it is sold in 1973. |
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| Now come the developers. They acquire Riverdene
and adjoining Victorian properties and petition the Elmbridge Council for
permission to demolish properties and replace them with retail outlets.
Enter the Victorian Society who site Riverdene and neighbours as "Grade
II Statutorily Listed Properties". The Historic Building & Antiquities
Committee of the Council accordingly reject the proposal and subsequent
appeals. |
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Riverdene is eventually acquired by Emilia M. Nunn and children,
who recognise its historic importance, and dedicate themselves to
its preservation. Accordingly, interior restoration and upgrading
ensue, to the benefit of those who come this way. Welcome to your
part in this history! |
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