 |
| Ebor House. Image from Calne Heritage Centre. |
Ebor comes from the name of a large house built in 1907 and demolished in 1997[1]. It is said to have been named after the Ebor handicap and built be William Higgs (1880-1958), who won the 1904, 1905, and 1909 race at Ebor, these wins must have been important to Higgs, as he gave his son the middle name of Ebor[2].
When Higgs retired he opened up Blacklands Stud, on land he purchased from the executors of Thomas Harris in 1909. He had only modest success as a trainer and in 1928 sold it on to Frederick Darling, a racehorse trainer who also had stables at Beckhampton[3].
Higgs put Ebor House up for auction in 1923[4]. Less than a year later he witnessed the tragic death of his son, Arnold, who at only 19 was fatally injured when riding his father's horse at Chester. The horse, William Tell, stumbled and pitched Higgs over his head. After the verdict of Accidental Death, his parents brought their son home, to be buried in Calne on Tuesday, 20 May 1924[5].
Dr. Ede moved to Ebor house which seems to have become known as Strangeways, certainly by 1928 when the name is shown in the Swindon and District Directory. The house was sold again in 1951[6]. In the advert for the sale, we find that the houses contains a hall with cloakroom, 3 reception rooms, 6 bedrooms, a dressing room, and 2 bathrooms, by now all served by central heating. The land included a cottage, garage, and stabling, over a 7 acre site.
The house was requisitioned for senior RAF officers during WWII and it is believed that Sir Winston Churchill had a secret meeting there before D-Day[7].
In the 1840s the land on which the house was built was called 'Dog Kennell And Nine Acres', owned by Thomas Poynder and occupied by Charles Pinneger.
It was subsequently demolished and replaced by Ebor Paddock.
Ebor Cottage
The Grade II listed cottage was built around a century before Ebor House, so likely gained its name after the house was built. Both buildings were on separate parcels of land and in the 1840s tithes was logged as a turnpike house and gardens (Plot number 1377) with sundry owners and occupiers. A field nearby called 'Near Quemerford Turnpike' was owned by Dr. George Page (see Page Close) and occupied by Joseph Maundrell.
A large porch with windows both sides of the front door can be seen. This arrangement is likely to ensure that travellers couldn't sneak past without paying the fee.
In 1834, the Quemerford Gate turnpike, with the Weighing Engine, and including the tolls was Let by Auction. It was put up at the sum of £1302 per annum, which was the sum gained during the previous let. This turnpike covered Chilvester Hill, the turnpike there was approximately opposite Chilvester House, Chalk Street Lane, and Smellings Hill, near Silver Street[8].
 |
| Ebor Paddock |
Ebor Paddock was first built c. 1953. Is a collection of primarily semi-detached 3 bedroom houses. Named for Ebor House.
Ebor Gardens
Ebor Gardens was built c. 2000 on the site of Ebor House. A collection of red and yellow brick mostly detached houses with 4 bedrooms was granted to Try Homes Ltd and designed by BCA Architects[9].
References:
[1] Calne: Calne outside the town | British History Online. 2019. Calne: Calne outside the town | British History Online. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol17/pp51-64. [Accessed 24 September 2019].
[2] Higgs, Billy - Jockeypedia 4. 2019. Higgs, Billy - Jockeypedia 4. [ONLINE] Available at: https://sites.google.com/site/jockeysbirthdays/higgs-billy. [Accessed 24 September 2019].
[3] Blackland | British History Online. 2019. Blackland | British History Online. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol17/pp17-27. [Accessed 24 September 2019].
[4] 'Calne, Wilts' Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, Saturday 09 June 1923 [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001557/19230609/149/0006 [Accessed on 24 September 2019]
[5] 'Calne Jockey's Death' Western Daily Press, Monday 19 May 1924 [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000264/19240519/062/0009 [Accessed on 25 September 2019]
[6]'Curtis & Henson' Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, Saturday 15 September 1951 [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001671/19510915/174/0006 [Accessed on 24 September 2019]
[7] Materials at Calne Heritage Centre
[8] 'Calne Turnpike Roads' Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, Thursday 30 October 1834 [ONLINE] Available from: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000187/18341030/017/0001 [Accessed 24 September 2019]
[9] 98/01743/REM
