Parish of Leatherhead - the Horse Trough
May 2002 - Horse Trough by the Corner on Dorking Road.
The
observant may have noticed a handsome stone horse trough
filled with plants on the corner of the Dorking Road near
the church. This originally stood on the site of the old
Bradmere Pond at the foot of Park Rise in the Kingston
Road. [It has now moved again to near the bus stop in
front of the church]. Linda Heath |
Be merciful to all God's creatures |
June 2002
The Horse Trough - Thanks to several people who
contacted me, and a letter in the local paper from Mrs. C. M.
John of Mickleham, we have been able to piece together the story
of the horse trough! I discovered that it stood between where the
Shell Garage is now and the steps up to the King George V
Gardens. I had thought that it was moved in the 1930s, but
several people mentioned its being there in the 1960s, and Mrs.
John explained that in 1964 the Council were going to remove the
trough and dispose of it but she said she knew someone who would
love to have it.
This turned out to be Lucy Hooker, Dennis's
first wife, who bought it for £5 and took it to Vale Lodge.
Years later, when Dennis and Mary moved to Orchardleigh, the
trough went with them. Dennis's daughter, Sarah, first offered
the trough to the Museum, but as they couldn't afford the cost of
moving it, then to the Council, who moved it to its present
position. Thanks to everyone who filled in the story!
Linda Heath