Building record 1422800000 - Lime Tree Court, Church Street

This is now a care home but its former names were The Grange, Belville House and Belle Villa. The 1910 Valuation Survey shows it was a substantial house with 6 bedrooms and accommodation for servants, set in two acres, with a thatched barn, stabling and a coach-house. It was then owned by J.B. Akroyd and let to Captain Joliffe. The building is quite dominant in the streetscene, being set at a higher level than the road, and of a larger scale than neighbouring cottages. The roof is, unusually for Twyford, covered with plain clay tiles. The chequered brickwork, scalloped bargeboards and ridge crest all contribute to the ornamental appearance of this building in contrast with the plainer, vernacular cottages. According to historical notes compiled by Rev Greaves, Christopher Perkins, son of the curate William Perkins, lived at the Grange 'and suffered much from early indulgence in food and drink' and took to riding to hounds. The 1851 census shows Christopher Perkins aged 51 living in an unnamed farmhouse, and farming 130 acres and employing nine labourers. [Photo] (B1).