Part 6 The Sale: 1926 onwards

The Sale

The Ursulines sold St. Monica’s Priory (carefully excluding the cemetery) to a speculator from Boscombe named Mr. Walter Rigler for about £2000 and by 14^th July 1926 the deeds were in his name. The Rigler family had been in Boscombe for about 50 years running what must have been a very prosperous business as coal, corn, forage and seed merchants with a branch at Palmerston Road, Boscombe and another at Christchurch Road, Pokesdown. Walter’s wife, daughters and sons all helped with the running of the business.

The house was described as being 3 miles from the ancient market town of Blandford, 10 from Wimborne Minster and 17 from the favourite seaside resort of Bournemouth “a historic freehold property situate in the picturesque old-world village of Spettisbury, in the heart of the valley of the River Stour, which skirts the village and bounds the property. The Mansion fronts the Bournemouth to Blandford main road for a considerable distance and is enclosed on three sides by a high red brick wall, affording the most complete privacy. The Main Gateway gives access from the road to a spacious Forecourt with central stone paved path, having grass lawns on either side. The construction is chiefly of red brick, mellowed by age, and slated roof. Partly built about the year 1735 and enlarged in the year 1762 or thereabouts, it forms an unusually fine specimen of GEORGIAN ARCHITECTURE. The central portion is recessed within the North and South wings of the building, the façade being a very choice example of domestic work of the 18^th century, with its Corinthian pilasters, stone dressings, dental cornices and stone gables surmounted by vase finials. The Entrance Doorway is of stone with side pilasters supporting an arched overdoor, and admits to the principal part of the residence.”

The ground floor of the central portion had a “Panelled Entrance Hall with small partitioned Enquiry Closet” and an “Inner Hall 19’6” x 10’10”, with dental cornice, open fireplace, fitted with ‘The Mail Clad’ portable heating stove, stone mantel and partly wood panelled walls.” Two arches, supported by panelled square pillars gave access to the Staircase Hall “of L-shape and measuring 12’4” x 9’6” and 14’6” x 9’, fitted with a 9’3” pine cupboard; shelves and cupboard under staircase and cold water tap with stone sink.” A back doorway led to the gardens. Adjoining was the “Lofty Dining Hall 30’ x 20’, fitted with finely carved mantelpiece, having dental, floral and grapevine ornamentations; register grate; carved overdoors; carved cornice 3’4” dado; handsome leaf, rose and dental moulded cornice.” Two cupboards were fitted in two of three recesses and the height of the room was 16’. There was a Guest Chamber “19’9” x 17’9”, with dado 3’6” high, having carved cornice moulding; carved door architraves and overdoors; carved wood mantelpiece with floral ornamentations; plaster cast ceiling with angels in relief and moulded cornice.”

The Sacristy with “large fitted vestment cupboard” led to the Lofty Chapel which formed the North wing of the building. This was “erected in 1830, measured 57’ x 24’ with high arched and rib groined ceiling of tasteful and uniform design; mullioned windows of coloured glass.” There was an iron spiral staircase leading to the Western Gallery and a large portable heating stove. The altar had been removed. Adjoining the Chapel was an anteroom or secondary sacristy with two doors leading to the gardens. A triple arched Belfry with a cross, erected in 1896, surmounted the west gables of the chapel roof.

On the South side of the Entrance Hall were the Morning Room “19’3” x 17’, having plaster cast leaf and rose ornamented mullioned ceiling; carved stone Georgian mantel and hob grate”, the Library “19’6” x 14’3”, fitted with two cupboards; carved wood mantelpiece and hob grate” and a Sitting Room “12’4” x 11’, with fitted cupboards and hob grate.” A passage with a door opening to a Courtyard led to a Bathroom “with fitted white enamelled bath (hot and cold)” and a Pantry. At the back of the Entrance Hall were two more Sitting Rooms and a Refectory “36’6” x 16’ with fitted pulpit.”

The Kitchen, 21’6” x 16’9”, had a “stone flagged floor, a 6’6” triple oven range, hot water cistern, dresser and ancient plate and dish warmer.” The scullery had a “large stone sink, cold water tap, baking oven and copper.” There were two larders and a back staircase.

The first floor was reached by the Principal Staircase “of polished beech with fine handrail and easy tread” leading to a Main Landing. On the North side were four large rooms, three with “fine carved wood and marble mantelpieces.” In the centre was a large central room, 27’x 17’11”, two small anterooms and another five rooms. On the South side were another 11 rooms, including “a large partly panelled room 20’2” x 17’3”.”

From the Main landing a staircase led to the second floor where there were another 12 rooms and a “WC and closet fitted with shelving and hanging hooks.”

The South East wing of the house consisted of two rooms “20’12 x 12’9” and 15’ x 12’9” with dividing double doors” each fitted with a fireplace, a separate WC, and another three rooms above.

The South wing of the mansion was formed by the Priory House (used by the priests when St. Monica’s was a convent and now the Village Hall). This had two separate entrances from the main road and on the ground floor had three sitting rooms; one 16’9” x 16’1”, the second 17’8” x 14’10” “with fine carved wood mantel and fireplace and fitted bookshelves” and the third 22’4” x 20’ 2” “with fitted mantel and fireplace.” There was a separate WC and a kitchen with “range, lead sink and cold water tap.” On the first floor were four large bedrooms, 19’6” x 16’9”, 20’ x 12’2” (both with fireplaces), 19’10” x 14’2” “with carved wood mantel and fireplace” and 29’10” x 19’9”. There were also three smaller rooms and a separate WC. On the second floor were two attic bedrooms. The Priory House had its own “pretty flower garden and lawn.”

The “commodious brick and tiled” School House (or Lecture House) which was next to the Kitchen on the East side and faced a spacious courtyard had one large Hall (or Gymnasium) on the ground floor, 23’10” x 15’10” with fireplace, and an ante room which was the Pump House “with tackle and gear driven by a ‘Petter Junior’ 2½ h.p. engine, with pump, cistern and piping.” Above was a large Double Room, 47’6” x 16’ with two portable heating stoves and a fireplace. There were also seven bedrooms but most of these were over the kitchen, scullery and larders. Outside was a WC and a lean-to timber and galvanized shed. The School House had its own double gate from the main road leading to the courtyard.

The Old World Gardens and Grounds of the property were mature, laid out with paths and with fine ornamental trees (beech, ash and fir), flowering shrubs, flower beds and borders, fruit trees and bushes, lawns and vegetable garden (partly walled) and a “quaint octagonal thatched summer house with wood seating around.” There was a paddock, a range of three brick and tiled Piggeries, a Fodder House with Copper, a Wired Fowlrun, a brick and tiled Fowlhouse, a Woodhouse and a Potting Shed. The water supply came from a well and was pumped up to tanks in the upper part of the house. The drainage discharged into cess tanks.

The property was bounded on the East side by the “delightful winding River Stour” where “fishing and boating may be enjoyed.” The extent of the property was 3 acres, 3 roods and 12 perches.

As a result of the auction on June 9^th 1927 St. Monica’s Priory passed to Thomas Oakley of 39, Shaftesbury Road, Luton, Bedfordshire and by 25^th July 1927 the deeds were in his name. Thomas Oakley was described on the deeds as a metal merchant but his company, Thomas Oakley (Luton) Ltd. seems to have been a firm of demolition contractors. This company no longer seems to exist but in 1947 very nearly managed to demolish Winslow Hall in Buckinghamshire, a fine Wren building, which it bought for £8000, no doubt recognising the value of the materials used by Wren. Happily, the Wren Society became aware of the threat to the building and succeeded in persuading Buckinghamshire County Council to invoke their powers under the new Town and Country Planning Act. And when in 1954 the Historic Buildings Council was unable to recommend financial aid for the preservation of Lowther Castle in Cumbria and the reluctant decision was therefore taken to sell the house for demolition, it was Thomas Oakley (Luton) Ltd who dismantled it and sold the fittings on the site in three sales in 1957.

It is a shame that no such society existed in 1927 to save the Mansion House of St. Monica’s Priory as Thomas Oakley started demolition almost immediately after his purchase. On September 1927 he was advertising in the Western Gazette the sale at St Monica’s Priory of:

“a Large Quantity of TIMBER, ROOFING TILES, WELCH ROOFING TILES, CLEAN BRICKS, GLAZED LIGHTS &c., which includes approximately 25,000ft of Pine Flooring, Boarding and Matching;:25,000ft Run of Quartering: 2,000ft Run of Moulding and Beading: 250 square feet of Painted Panelling: 100 Glazed Lights: Large Quantity of Oak and Pitch-Pine Beams and Posts: Large Quantity of Shelving: 100 Pine Panels and Other Doors: 200 Panel Shutters: 6 Earthenware w.c. Pedestals and Cisterns: 6 Cupboards: Quantity of Grates and Hearthstones: Large Quantity of York Stone Paving: Large Quantity of Crazy Paving: Large Quantity of Stone Coping: Quantity of Rain Water Guttering and Down Pipes: 16,000 Roofing Tiles: 1,500 Roofing Tiles: 200,000 Clean bricks: 1 Fine Old Oak Staircase”.

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Advertisement in Kellys Directory 1907

Rigler's Shop at 31 Palmerston Rd in 1905

Walter Rigler in 1910

Buying a very large property such as St. Monica’s Priory was somewhat of a change from Walter's normal run of business, although several members of his family were involved in the construction/renovation business. His uncle was a building contractor and his brother a plasterer and they were responsible for many Edwardian buildings in Poole and Bournemouth.

The following month Walter Rigler was busy auctioning the household furniture and effects from the Priory. The Western Gazette advertisement included the following:

“HOUSEHOLD AND SCHOOL FURNITURE, and USEFUL EFFECTS, the principal Items being:

6ft Grained Cupboard; Several Strong Deal tables;7ft 3in Pine Cupboard, with shelves and hanging compartment; Quantity of Deal Forms, with and without backs; 6 Small oak Tables; carpets; Linoleum; Fenders; 24 Folding Garden Seats; Pneumatic Scientific Instrument; 6 Oak Pedestal Cupboards; 3 Oak Writing Tables;Toilet Ware; Elm Chest of 4 Long Drawers; Large Quantity of French and English Books &c; 16 OAK CUPBOARDS, each fitted with shelves, and enclosed by Single Panelled Doors, in various sizes; 26 Oak Cupboards, each fitted with shelves and 1 Drawer, and enclosed by 2 Panelled Doors, size 22in wide x 22in deep x 5ft 6in high;40 Windsor Chairs; 56 Chairs with Rush Seats; 30 Chairs with perforated or Cane Seats; 8 6ft Up-to-date Pitch Pine and Varnished School Desks and Seats, with Backs on Iron Standards (to seat 4); 2 Ditto (to seat 3); 6 Ditto (to seat 2); 3 Ditto (to seat 1); Large Oak Desk, fitted on Platform, with 2 Stairs on each side; 4ft 9in oak Bookcase, with adjustable shelves, the top part enclosed by 2 glazed doors and the lower by 2 Panelled Doors; a Fine Toned Cottage Pianoforte, in Walnut Case, with Iron Frame and Check Action, by Henry Price Hodges; a Cottage Pianoforte in Walnut Case, by D’Almain & Co; an Excellent Organ, in Walnut Case, with 11 Stops, Grand Organ and Knee Swell, by Bell & Co; a very Nice Harmonium in Walnut Case, by I Malcolm & Co; 18 2ft 3in Oak Bedstead, complete with Box Spring Mattresses; 12 3ft 6in Do. Do. Do; 12 3ft Combination Bedsteads with Wool Mattresses; 6 2ft 6in Ditto Ditto; 9 3ft Feather beds; 24 feather Pillows; 30 Blankets; 24 Counterpanes.

IN THE CHAPEL.- The Handsomely Carved Oak Altar Rail, comprising 1 9ft 6in length and 2 4ft 9in lengths; the Handsome 4ft Statue of “Our Lady of Lourdes”, painted in colours; and many others; the Front of the Choir Stalls; 2 High-Back Chairs, with Desks; 2 handsome 10-branch Candelabra.

KITCHEN.- Deal Tables; Quantity of Copper Saucepans; Meat safe; Plate rack; pair of 8-tread Steps; a “Bradford’s” washing machine; 24in Mangle by Harrods Ltd; 2 Large Wood Wash Tubs; 5ft Zinc Taper Bath; Enamelled Jugs; Bowls;basins; wash Crocks; and the usual Kitchen and Culinary Utensils. OUTSIDE.- Clothes Line and Posts; Iron Pig Trough; Bookbinding Bench; Quantity of Boxes and Firewood &c,&c. A Galvanised Corrugated Steel Circular Cistern, with tap, size 4ft 6in diameter x 2ft 3in high; 24-rung Ladder; 14-rung Ladder.”

Whatever his plans for the Priory had been, Walter Rigler must have regretted his decisionvery quickly because less than a year later the property was for sale again.

An advert in The Times on 11^th May 1927 stated:

“AT A VERY LOW RESERVE, Suitable for an Institution, Convent, Seminary, Home, or other purpose, St. Monica’s Priory, Spetisbury, Dorset, on the main road between Bournemouth and Blandford, containing about 100 rooms, and standing in grounds of about FOUR ACRES, For SALE by AUCTION at the Crown Hotel, Blandford, on June 9^th 1927.”

And in the Western Gazette on 3rd June 1927

“AT A VERY LOW RESERVE, SUITABLE FOR AN INSTITUTION, CONVENT, SEMINARY, HOME OR OTHER PURPOSE, SPETISBURY, DORSET Three miles from Blandford, 17 miles from Bournemouth. Fox & Sons, in conjunction with Balcomb & Co., are favoured with instructions to OFFER for SALE by AUCTION, at the Crown Hotel, Blandford, on THURSDAY 9th June 1927, at Three o’clock precisely (unless previously Sold Privately), the FREEHOLD HISTORIC PROPERTY, “ST. MONICA’S PRIORY” situate in the picturesque old-world Village of Spetisbury, on the banks of the River Stour, with considerable frontage thereto. The mansion is a fine example of Georgian Architecture, and contains about 80 rooms, including Refectory, Guest Chamber, Chapel, numerous Bedrooms, Priory House, and School House. Outbuildings, Paddock, Beautiful Matured Gardens. The whole extends to an area of about FOUR ACRES”

Plan of the property for sale in 1927

(The Burial ground can be seen in the top left-hand corner – BG)

The auction of the estate was duly held at the Crown Hotel, Blandford at 3pm on 9^th June 1927. The solicitors were Messrs. D’Angibau & Malim of Boscombe. The auctioneers were Messrs. Balcombe & Co. of Boscombe and Messrs. Fox & Sons of Bournemouth & Southampton. The Sales Particulars (Appendix 41) give a fairly comprehensive description of the property.