A History of Pimp Hall Nature Reserve
THE FARMHOUSE
Pimp Hall Farmhouse was visited in 1929 and the record shows it was a two storey building, timber-framed and plastered; probably built in the late 16th century and constructed to an 'L' shaped plan. There was a projecting pillared porch bearing the date 1576 although the porch itself was probably added later. There was an original window of two lights with a moulded frame. Some parts had been repaired but most of the ancient work was in good condition. Some small rooms had been constructed out of larger ones. Some original ceiling beams were exposed. Standing over a well to the north of the house there was a dovehouse and to the west a barn of five bays.
Chingford Urban District Council purchased Pimp Hall in 1934 and the farmhouse became derelict and was demolished between 1936 and 1939. The Barn and Dovecote were not demolished with the farmhouse. The barn survived for many years. Only the Dovecote now remains.
PIMP HALL BARN
According to the 'Chingford Review', 'Pimp Hall barn and dovecote date from the 17th century and are all that remain of the manor house and other farm buildings which were demolished in 1939 when the then Chingford Borough Council acquired the property for use as a nursery. It appears that for many years the buildings were neglected by the Council, used for storage, and fell into a state of disrepair.
In 1980 the Council decided to restore the buildings and the dovecote was restored between 1980-82 but the barn was only made safe. In September, 1985 work started under the auspices of the Community Programme and although it was originally hoped that the work would be finished by March, 1987 this was never likely even before the Community Programme was abolished. The outer covering, roof tiles , weatherboarding and so on were removed to leave the building extremely vulnerable to what was to be a harsh winter.'
On 2.2. 1990 we learned that strong winds had reduced the barn to rubble and there was no hope for the museum which had been planned.
THE DOVECOTE
A comprehensive survey was commissioned by LBWF and was carried out during April, 1980. The Report is very long and only extracts can be included.
The Dovecote is a square building of timber framed construction built on a brick plinth some 1,5 metres high. Each side is app.6.75m long and the overall height is 8.5m. Below the ground floor there is a vaulted cellar containing a large well or sump in the centre of the floor.
Above the plinth level, finely wrought oak framework was used to form the main framework of the building. The braced wall frames consist of sill, corner posts, centre storey posts, girths at mid height and roof plate. The infill is of thin studwork. The majority of infill was roofing tiles with a backing of lime mortar or daub. The roof is hipped with a central four-gabled glover for the entry of the pigeons.
The dovecote is still standing but is on the English Heritage At Risk Register. It is hoped that the dovecote will one day be restored.
THE NURSERY
The Council acquired Pimp Hall for use as a nursery and the range of its products is shown by its accounts for 1948-9: cucumbers, leeks, potatoes, brassicas, celery, tomato plants, onions, runner beans, marrow plants, lettuce, geraniums, dahlias, chrysanthemums, cut flowers, floral baskets, ferns, palms, shrubs, privets, tree stakes and pea sticks. Some of the produce was sold to the Civic Restaurant.
Chingford's Parks Department was often praised for the quality of the plants it displayed. The British Fuchsia Society wrote a letter of congratulation about exhibits saying, 'We would have liked to award some token of our appreciation for the outstanding effort that was made at the Ridgeway Park Show, 1953'.
In 1979 the Council decided to centralise horticultural services at Hawkwood, but continued to keep the Pimp Hall site for trees etc.
Pimp Hall Farmhouse was visited in 1929 and the record shows it was a two storey building, timber-framed and plastered; probably built in the late 16th century and constructed to an 'L' shaped plan. There was a projecting pillared porch bearing the date 1576 although the porch itself was probably added later. There was an original window of two lights with a moulded frame. Some parts had been repaired but most of the ancient work was in good condition. Some small rooms had been constructed out of larger ones. Some original ceiling beams were exposed. Standing over a well to the north of the house there was a dovehouse and to the west a barn of five bays.
Chingford Urban District Council purchased Pimp Hall in 1934 and the farmhouse became derelict and was demolished between 1936 and 1939. The Barn and Dovecote were not demolished with the farmhouse. The barn survived for many years. Only the Dovecote now remains.
PIMP HALL BARN
According to the 'Chingford Review', 'Pimp Hall barn and dovecote date from the 17th century and are all that remain of the manor house and other farm buildings which were demolished in 1939 when the then Chingford Borough Council acquired the property for use as a nursery. It appears that for many years the buildings were neglected by the Council, used for storage, and fell into a state of disrepair.
In 1980 the Council decided to restore the buildings and the dovecote was restored between 1980-82 but the barn was only made safe. In September, 1985 work started under the auspices of the Community Programme and although it was originally hoped that the work would be finished by March, 1987 this was never likely even before the Community Programme was abolished. The outer covering, roof tiles , weatherboarding and so on were removed to leave the building extremely vulnerable to what was to be a harsh winter.'
On 2.2. 1990 we learned that strong winds had reduced the barn to rubble and there was no hope for the museum which had been planned.
THE DOVECOTE
A comprehensive survey was commissioned by LBWF and was carried out during April, 1980. The Report is very long and only extracts can be included.
The Dovecote is a square building of timber framed construction built on a brick plinth some 1,5 metres high. Each side is app.6.75m long and the overall height is 8.5m. Below the ground floor there is a vaulted cellar containing a large well or sump in the centre of the floor.
Above the plinth level, finely wrought oak framework was used to form the main framework of the building. The braced wall frames consist of sill, corner posts, centre storey posts, girths at mid height and roof plate. The infill is of thin studwork. The majority of infill was roofing tiles with a backing of lime mortar or daub. The roof is hipped with a central four-gabled glover for the entry of the pigeons.
The dovecote is still standing but is on the English Heritage At Risk Register. It is hoped that the dovecote will one day be restored.
THE NURSERY
The Council acquired Pimp Hall for use as a nursery and the range of its products is shown by its accounts for 1948-9: cucumbers, leeks, potatoes, brassicas, celery, tomato plants, onions, runner beans, marrow plants, lettuce, geraniums, dahlias, chrysanthemums, cut flowers, floral baskets, ferns, palms, shrubs, privets, tree stakes and pea sticks. Some of the produce was sold to the Civic Restaurant.
Chingford's Parks Department was often praised for the quality of the plants it displayed. The British Fuchsia Society wrote a letter of congratulation about exhibits saying, 'We would have liked to award some token of our appreciation for the outstanding effort that was made at the Ridgeway Park Show, 1953'.
In 1979 the Council decided to centralise horticultural services at Hawkwood, but continued to keep the Pimp Hall site for trees etc.
Information with thanks to the Chingford Historical Society.