Pond House

A while back, on reading this post, a reader called Marian left the following comment:

"While walking around Lower Clapton, taking pictures yesterday afternoon, I took a closer look at the big red and white house bordering the pond. It is fascinating. Has anyone noticed the ram faces on each side of the main building? The windows are magnificent too. My first impression was that this mansion might be a squat. This feeling was reinforced by a walk 'round the back. There is a hole in the fence and a deck chair can be seen in the distant garden, amongst lots of rubbish...I was wondering if anyone actually knew what this building is?"

I'd been wondering the same thing for years and half-meaning to find out. I could see why Marian had the impression it might be a squat, as there seems always to have been a clutter of cars, junk and odd bits of furniture in the forecourt. But now and again I'd see people with a businesslike air, sometimes using surveying equipment. All very strange. Then there were those initials by the door: HVSC (obscured by a pillar in this pic.). What did they stand for? Had the building once housed some kind of society or charity?

I still don't know the answer to these questions. But, thanks to that amazing info-finder Felix - who responded to Marian's comment by finding this link - I've discovered that it was built in around 1800 and is called Pond House. And there's a new development. The property is be auctioned on 31st March. I didn't memorise the details from the estate agency sign, but will jot them down tomorrow and update. I wonder what will happen to Pond House now?

Comments

[Alix]

This is fascinating. For some reason I think the 'HV' in 'HVSC' stands for Hackney Volunteers or something similar, I'm sure I've seen that somewhere nearby, though I could be misremembering.

[polyvinyl]

Lovely building...

it said "Hackney Volunteers Social Club"

I came across some inside shots on flickr - see:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gert/sets/72057594080495982/

[Marion H]

Yes, the inside looks amazing! I saw the pictures back when Felix kindly posted the link.
Thanks, Dave, for making a post on the subject. I really wish i could attend the auction! (only just out of curiosity, of course, as i cannot quite afford a Grade II listed Georgian building just yet..)
Another amazing building is the former Clapton Orphanage..There isn't much left of it, but if you go close to the gates, you can see pictures of how it used to look. Martin Creed had a Neon light show there a few years back too..

[felix]

In the Hackney archives(Downham Rd,N1,phone first), there is a multiple volume hand-written account of Clapton,its people, buildings,history etc., with cuttings,drawings and so on. I forget the Author's name, but it will surely contain information about Pond House. The archive staff will know it well. I think it was written 1900=1930.I found it very helpful when researching a vanished house where the terrace now is between Thistlewaite and Newick Roads. (for instance, the volumes will tell you why we have Newick, Thistlewaite,Mildenhall,Cotesbach roads....)

[Spud]

has anyone got any updates on this? the house is now surrounded by a large solid wooden fence. and there are a group of people that seem to be dwelling in the house. they like to congregate outsider by the pond with there own plastic chairs. I took a peek through the fence and the house now has four large drapes hanging odown its front as decoration. two black two red. making it look like some kind of squat. i hope this isn't rue.