Hello and Yes! Literally just saw it on Sunday and just stared at it for ages. I can't thank you enough for posting this and starting off a fascinating chat.
The Limes was my whole world for the first 14 years, I climbed every tree and had the greatest childhood. The landlord, one Mr King, was getting older and the place started to fall into disrepair.
What is particularly poignant is the front door. I can recall my father coming in on a brutally cold March day. Winters then seemed so cold, we used to have frost on the inside of all the windows. I thought that was normal! Anyway, he came in and collapsed there in front of me. It was the winter of discontent when all services were on strike. He had waited 6 months for an operation but his illness got the better of him. It was a sad loss because he was a senior RAF officer and survived 5 years of warfare in Bomber Command as a pilot. He was awarded two DFC's yet died just inside that front door. The sense of loss has stayed with me since hence the shocked and joy of seeing that picture.
I think it was demolished finally in the mid 90's. I found a picture of it (prompted by your post) of The Limes after a fire. Whether that was from vandalism or perhaps insurance reasons! I can't comment but its gutting to see the burnt wood thrown from the window. I'll try to add the pic here. The front room on the right had the most extraordinary oak paneling and the doors were vast works of art. If they all burnt they some history was truly lost that day.
I notice now there's a housing estate there now. The houses are nicely made and fit in well but there seem to be so many where once there was just one. Incredible.
I'm babbling away here. Thank you so much, its enquiring minds like yours that make the internet an extraordinary tool.
Regards
Paul
