cont........
After seeing that everyone was safe, Mr Coates piloted us to thelodge at the entrance of the drive and arranged for us to be conveyed by carto the Shillingford Bridge Hotel, where more adequate clothing was provided.Shortly before 5.0.a.m. the Wallingford Fire Brigade, under Chief Officer CPeadle, arrived on the scene. The building was then blazing fiercely andthe firemanıs difficulties were increased by the strong wind then blowing.In view of the immensity of the task it was decided to send out calls to theDidcot, Pangborne and Abingdon Brigades, all of which responded withcommendable promptitude. River Water UtilisedIn the early stages of the fight water was obtained from the hotelısunderground tank, but that proved inadequate. Long lengths of hose werethen laid to the river near the Shillingford Bathing Pool, where three ofthe engines were stationed and the water was pumped up the hill to thehouse. About 10.00.a.m the fire was almost subdued and the Chief OfficerPeadle then released Abingdon Brigade. Shortly afterwards it was safe forthe Pangborne Brigade to leave, but the Didcot and Wallingford Brigadescarried on until 4.0.p.m. when the fire was completely extinguished.Very little furniture was saved. Before the arrival of the brigades thestaff removed as much as they could from some of the lower rooms. WhenWallingford Brigade arrived the firemen dashed in and managed to save apiano and some pictures but the dense smoke and the fierce flames soon put astop to such salvage operations. A organ, chesterfield, four or fivechairs, a piano, a grandfather clock and a figure of Buddha were about allto be seen on the lawn. Buddha and Bad LuckRegarding Buddha, read what Mrs Coates told a representative of the Berksand Oxon Advertiser while the building was blazing fiercely. ³We had adance here last night and a large company were present. It was organised byMrs Clarke-Brown of Kingston Blount and Mrs Hill in aid of OxfordshirePlaying Fields Association. During the evening one of the guests went overto the Buddha, picked him up and commenced to dance with him. I went acrossand asked the guest to put the figure down, remarking that such conductwould only bring bad luck on the house. And now look what has happened only a few hours afterwards.²Not only were the buildings and general furniture destroyed, but also alarge collection of antiques and jewellery and practically all the personaleffects of the residents. The total damage is estimated between £20,000 and£30,000. The hotel safe, however, escaped destruction and after the flameshad been subdued, was removed to the bank for inspection.The cause of the outbreak is a mystery. Some consider the fire was due tothe fusing of the electric wires, while other think it was due to a paraffinstove in the staff quarters catching alight. The official verdict, however,is unknown. When the dance concluded about 2.00.a.m. in the morning, thestaff, in their customary manner, inspected the whole of the premises beforeretiring, but no indication of the approaching disaster was apparent at thattime. Beau Regard was one of the most beautiful of residentıs hotels in many milesaround. Standing in extensive grounds, which swept down in terraces to theriver, it was a favourite rendezvous of many people from all parts of theSouth and the West. In every way it was a modern hotel, well equipped andefficiently run, and its destruction is indeed a loss to the district. Itcontained a splendid ballroom, a smoke room, and a drawing room, a diningroom and some fifteen bedrooms besides staff quarters. At one time it wasthe home of Captain Wilson, who was responsible for the idea of convertingit into a hotel.
I big thank you to Chris Eke who provided all this information who has been researching Clacot for a number years years now.