So I was very please to find this Postcard, with a very clear postmark of JU27 07 (which I presume is either June 27 or July 27, 1907.
Rootling around a little on t'internet, I found several mentions of the Convalescent Home in Fairseat, but all were a little vague as to exactly where it was. Most seemed to point to it being at the Manor House in Fairseat, like this extract from the history of the Church of the Holy Innocents (which you can read more fully here)
"…the Church at Fairseat is the second Church of the Holy Innocents at Fairseat, the first being established in one of the farm buildings adjacent to the children’s convalescent home at the Manor House, which was managed by a member of staff for Sir Phillip and Lady Waterlow.
In 1921 Lady Waterlow had established a children’s convalescent home at the adjacent Old Manor House. The home gave free convalescence to children from the London hospitals, in particular from St. Bartholomew’s…."
However, the picture on the postcard in no way matches the Manor House opposite the pond. So I went with my gut instinct and thought 'that looks like The Old Rectory' in Fairseat. I have an image of the Old Rectory, taken before the right hand side of it was extended upwards, and luckily it is taken from almost the same angle. I think it's pretty conclusive that it's the same building, everything matches up.
On an architectural note, there is evidence in the earlier postcard that there was once a balcony above the main entrance to the building, with, I'm guessing, door access from both the 1st floor bay windows.
I suppose that the Manor House once had a fair few buildings as part of its estate, and that The Old Rectory was one of them. Now it is in private ownership, hence the misconception that the Convalescent home was at the Manor House. (On a slightly off piste note, I was once told that Staples Cottage, next door to the Manor House, was the home of a Mr Staples, who was the chauffeur of whoever lived at the Manor House at the time.)
Also, the date on the postcard stamp (1907) is earlier than the Convalescence Home being established (1921) in the extract above. I know that the date on the postcard is correct, as prior to 1918 it cost 1/2d to send a postcard (and the green stamp is 1/2d). After 1918, it increased to 1d. Therefore I think the home must have started earlier than 1907.
Digging a bit deeper into the history of The Old Rectory, Fairseat, I have an old booklet on walks in the area (see this blog post), which states
'The Old Rectory in Stansted was built in 1847 and housed rectors until 1969 when it was sold and became a private house ... The present rectory is in Fairseat and is illustrated in the pages of this booklet.' (Note: image in booklet is the same as image shown above).
So, the Fairseat Rectory must have become named as such in 1969 or just after, when the Rector moved up from the Stansted Rectory. When did the Rector then move down into Vigo I wonder?
So, although I'm pleased with my detective work, it has thrown up a bunch of questions, such as those above, and also when did the Convalescent Home cease to run? If anyone has any answers, please do let me know!
