304 VILLAGE GREENS. 



In 1813, a gentleman of large means, named Barrett, 

 living near the Green, took a lease of it from the Lord 

 of the Manor for sixty-one years, with the option of 

 purchase for 200. The lease contained a covenant to 

 inclose the Green, and to plant it with shrubs, and not 

 to erect any building without the lessor's assent. Barrett 

 did this for the purpose of preventing the place being 

 a nuisance to the neighbourhood. In the correspondence 

 with his neighbours, he expressly disclaimed having 

 taken the lease with a view to profit, and he offered to 

 let them join in the enterprise, bearing their share in 

 the expense. The Green was then fenced and planted, 

 but for some time the inhabitants made use of the 

 Green, breaking down the fence. In 1S55 a Committee 

 was formed of the inhabitants, for the purpose of collect- 

 ing subscriptions to erect a new fence round the Green, 

 and to restore it from its then disgraceful state. A sub- 

 lease was obtained from Barrett's successor, and a new 

 fence was erected. The Green was then drained and laid 

 down with turf. This was done with the object of 

 preventing nuisances and maintaining the decency and 

 appearance of the place ; but the public were excluded. 

 In 1874, the sub-lease came to an end, and a Mr. 

 Honey, who had obtained an assignment of Barretts 

 lease from his representatives, and had exercised the 

 option of purchasing the fee from the Lord of the 

 Manor, commenced building operations on the Green, 

 and when remonstrated with by the inhabitants of the 

 adjoining houses, demanded 8,000, as the price for sur- 

 rendering his interest in this acre of land. 



