G'Day ummm, is it, 'Clonesgirl'
Many thanks for such a fast reply, and wow coincidence, didn't dream you were in Oz! Yes, I'm in Perth, another sweltering place, had many days of heat and today was well over 40! OK, to Fonthill, I know the ara very, very well. Can't find the thread, but there was some misinformation re the various Fonthill houses, One only was also referred to by locals as "New Fonthill Abbey" to differentiate it from the Beckford Abbey built in the 1700's. This 'New' Abbey was yet another in the line of 'Fonthill Houses', it was built by William Burn for the Marquess of Westminster in, I think, 1876. It was in the Scottish Baronial style and a wonderful place. We lived for a time in the quarters above the stable quadrangle, and what a fabulouse place it was. Can give more info if anyone is interested. Burns was something of a paranoic, and destroyed his plans upon completion of his buildings. So very little in documentation remains, and, almost no photographs, I have a couple of odd one from Ebay and a large print originally from 'Coutry Life. This particular building, was indeed, the base for US troops and I remember looking at all their wonderful graffiti in the walls of the stable buildings. Sadly this building was demolished in the late 50's.
The house at Little Ridge housed Sir John Morrison and family and as you indicate, it too was demolished but his time rebuilt and the current incumbant is Lord Margadale, Alexander Morrison, whose father and indeed, grandfather I remember well. There are at least 7 Fonthill Houses on record. This one was never the base for troops etc. The other, where I lived was a quarter of mile or so from Beckford's Folly. I also lived in a little terrace row at little Ridge and schooled at Chilmark (also at Warder RC and Hindon). Hope I haven't bored you too much
regards
Eddie
