Introduction

A lengthy article appeared in The Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser on 31 July 1920, reporting on the previous week's Draycot Estate Auction. The following is a a transcription of that newspaper article (for Sutton Benger and Draycot Cerne only).

Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser

At Chippenham on Tuesday, the concluding sale of the Draycot Estate took place, a large attendance being attracted. The death of the late Earl Cowley, two years ago, was followed by the gradual disposal of the estate by his heir. In March the contents of the mansion and outdoor effects were sold, and later the mansion itself, an excellent specimen of early Georgian domestic architecture, erected in 1784, was bought privately.

The sale comprised the farms and buildings on the estate, and cottages situated at Draycot, Sutton Benger, Kington Langley, and many of the adjacent villages, the total acreage being returned at 4.345, and the rent roll £7,000. Messrs Tilley, Culverwell & Parrott were the auctioneers, and the schedule was conducted by Mr R W Tilley, who described the sale as the largest of its kind which had ever taken place in Chippenham. He explained that the whole estate had been purchased privately by Mr Cundell, who was selling different portions.

He had induced Mr Cundell to allow the tenants of the respective properties the option to purchase their holding prior to the sale. In valuing them, he had tried to do so fairly, and he had pleased many, dissatisfied some, and offended one or two. He hoped, however, that in fixing the reserves, his figures would be justified in the prices obtained that day.

It might be interesting to those of them who lived at Draycot and Sutton Benger to know that Mr Cundell had arranged, by mutual consent, with Mr Lea, to give 8 acres of land for the purpose of a Recreation Ground for the two parishes (applause).

Draycot Cerne was a separate parish from Sutton Benger until 1934. In fact, the final terms of the donation stated that the Recreation Ground was to be for the benefit of three parishes, to include Seagry as well.

• Draycot Cerne was a separate parish from Sutton Benger until 1934. In fact, the final terms of the donation stated that the Recreation Ground was to be for the benefit of three parishes, to include Seagry as well.

The land would be conveyed to trustees, and the ground would be managed by a committee. In addition, Mr Cundell would erect a pavilion large enough, not only for the requirements of those who took part in the different sports and recreations, but also for dancing, which apparently was very fashionable on that district.

• He seems to have gone back on this part of the promise; although the Recreation Ground was donated, the Village Hall was paid for by the villagers three years later at a cost of £300.

Again alluding to the sale, Mr Tilley asked intending purchasers, in making their calculations, to bear in mind that the farms and holdings in Sutton Benger, Draycot and Seagry were in a district which had always been the most-sought-after neighbourhood in the county, and the farms had the advantage of Dutch farms.

• ‘Dutch farms’ in the original; presumably the author meant to say ‘Dutch barns’.

Replying to … (auctioneers’ fees)…. Objection was taken … (size of lots … fox-hunting)… During the sale … (objection to County Council becoming such large purchasers)…

There was evidently an undercurrent of feeling among the company, and this found vent in applause on several occasions when the auctioneer announced that certain lots were not sold because the reserves had not been reached.

The solicitor for the sale was F Harold Edwards, Esq, Cheapside, London, EC.

The following were the results:

Lake Farm, Draycot, farmhouse and 129 acres, let to Messrs A and AJ Bryant, at a combined rent of £155. Withdrawn at £7,000. Mixed farm, Mount Pleasant, Draycot, comprising house and 92 acres, occupiers Messrs C W Hart and A B Newman at a combined rental of £80. Withdrawn at £3,700. Cottage in the occupation of Mr H Orchard, who was the purchaser at £50.

Schoolhouse with cottage adjoining at Upper Draycot. Purchaser, Mr E M Awdry at £300.

Cottage and garden at Upper Draycot, tenant Mr G Robbins. Withdrawn at £325.

A pair of gabled cottages at Upper Draycot were bought by Mr W Hull for £350 and £325. Mr Teagle became the owner of a similar pair nearby.

A block of three cottages, tenants, Messrs Dunn, R Weston and Mrs Couzens, were withdrawn at £3000. The same fate befell a pair of cottages, occupiers Messrs R Bird, Brind, and E Wilkins, Upper Draycot.

Mr Dunford bought two modern cottages and gardens near Draycot Park, occupier Mr F Brind, for £950.

Gate Farm, Sutton Benger, started at £4,500 and withdrawn at £7,456.

… (Malford Farm) …

There was spirited bidding for the Wellesley Arms, Sutton Benger, and for Mrs Sharp, who has been the tenant of the house for 40 years; the bidding was started at £2,000. The house was eventually purchased by Messrs Wadworth & Co, Devizes, for £3,550.

Mrs Jotcham, the tenant of two modern villas adjoining Draycot Park, became the owner of both for £450, and Mr A Bryant bought a pair of villas at Sutton Benger, tenanted by Messrs W Miller and T Wells, for £875.

The sum of £35 was the highest bid obtained for the residence of PC Read, Sutton Benger, and property was not sold.

No offer was made for 23 acres of rich grazing meadow in the occupation of Mr E J Bond, Sutton Benger. Two paddocks of about an acre, occupied by Mr G Hall at Sutton Benger, were bought by Mr Brooks for £130.

The business premises of Messrs Britton & Co, in the village, were not sold, the highest bid being £950.

Messrs Wadworth & Co secured two pieces of pasture land, together about 14 acres in Sutton Benger, for £500 and £385 respectively; Mr Butler another piece for £350 and Mr Bull two acres for £170. … (an arable field …

Many of the cottages offered did not sell. Mr Lea obtained two at Sutton Benger for £320; and the sum of £325 bought another pair, the purchasers being the tenants.

Mr Butler became the owner of the two cottages of which Messrs Beanland and H Percival are tenants, for £400; Mr A Warrilow, two, of which Messrs H Parsons and F Russ are tenants, at £230; Mr Eastwood, two, in the occupation of Mrs Russ and Mr F Brooks, for £120; and Major Wayscott, a block of three cottages, tenants Messrs T Russ and H Ferris, for £250.

… Mr Lea, two pairs, tenants Messrs W Beanland and J Barrington and E Heath and C Littlejohn, the first named lot fetching £265 and the second £135; Mr Humphries bought a detached residence, in the occupation of Mr W Mills, for £130; and another of which the tenant is Mr W Humphries, for £120; Mr Tucker, for £110, purchased a cottage and large garden in the occupation of Mr A Brooks; Mr Fletcher, the cottage tenanted by Mr E Hull, for £80; and for £35, an enclosure of productive garden, was obtained by Mr Brooks.

… (Christian Malford) … (Seagry) … (Wiltshire County Council) …

Nabals Farm, Draycot, consisting of 99 acres, did not find a purchaser, the highest bidding being £3,500; at which it was withdrawn.

… (Kellaways) … (Seagry) … (Startley) …

A cottage at Sutton Benger in the occupation of Mr L Heath, and a garden, was bought by the Rev R L A Westlake, for £120.

Please get in touch at hello@bengertrails.co.uk if you want to know more about any of the Lots, including those in Seagry and other parishes.