Barwythe House, Studham

[nick99]

Hi Phil, jan, Nipy and all

If the subject is still interesting after so long, I lived in Barwythe from 1947 to 1949 during the end period of the Comune

Nick99

[janan]

Hi Nick

Welcome to Rootschat

Phil was around earlier today, when he comes back I'm sure your post will be of interest.

I don't recall Barwythe but do remember walking in Studham woods as a child.

Jan

[Phil Goater]

Hi Nick,

          Do spill the beans! After consulting the local history society I've come to the conclusion that my spinster relative Frances Goater must have been some sort of a house keeper (perhaps for a later occupant) but I don't know for sure and even if that was the case I'd love to know what this commune was all about!

           Thanks for taking the trouble to contribute,
   
   Phil     

[Notinpastyet]

Hello Folks not been on RC for awhile but I'm still alive!!.... because of  the secrecy & rumours of Barwythe House .......  like you Phil I'm still curious.......Nipy

[nick99]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the expressions of interest.

The amount of time my eyes will tolerate on this screen is limited, so it would take a long time to give full details. Here are some initial details. If anyone wants more, tell me what specific questions are of interest.

Duration of Commune : 1946 ish to Dec 1949

Phil' spinster relative died long after this  -   so I guess she was either a member of staff or very rich

Kenneth Allsop was a member betwean 1948 and the first half of 1949.   He wrote a book about it, now on Amazon at 0.01 pounds plus 2.80 pp.  I will get it and report later in the year.



.
Internet says it was owned by someone called (I think) Savage from pre-war to 1957.  This may be an error.  In c.1948  one of the founders told me it was owned by himself and his father-in-law. who had put up that £17,000. Maybe they only had a lease.

The Community was not hippy but it was mad. Even recently (2000ish) it is held in great respect by older villagers, who seem flattered that something even a little bit famous should have existed in their village. The village schoolmistress from Commune times gave it a good reference.  But one youngster of 60 was very censorious, but did not say why.





 

[Notinpastyet]

Welcome Nick 99, interesting to know there is a book about the place...would also be interesting to know what the write up is ....regards Nipy

[Phil Goater]

Thanks for that Nick

There seems to be a bit of confusion about the ownership of Barwythe. According to the Bedfordshire.gov site (archive section) the house was owned by Arthur William Gerald Bagshawe from 1945 to his death in 1964 but there is some doubt as to when exactly the purchase was made. The Dunstable history society was a bit vague but did refer to the house being owned at one time by a group formed by Kenneth Allsop ("slightly unconventional, I believe").

I'd be interested to know more about the nature of the slight unconventionality!

Regards,
Phil

[waterfall]

I lived in Studham from the 1940's to 1960's. Gerald Bagshawe was an alchoholic and was looked after by a nurse and butler. Might your rellie be the nurse?

If you would like I will look in the Gazette to see if there is anything on your rellies death.

Susan

[Phil Goater]

 Thank you Susan for that insight - I would very much appreciate it if you could unearth any more information. For the record my relative was Frances Nora Goater who appears to have been known as Nora and who was born in Kent in 1898 and  died a spinster in 15/5/1957 in Barwythe House.

Regards,
Phil