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A ‘New School’ on the old Ashgrove Estate and its history

The old Ashgrove Estate on Sevenoaks Common (picture Link ) has several times in its history been a sanctuary to the hard pressed. The first recorded occasion was in the 18th century when the owner was a Captain Smyth, a swashbuckling old soldier who had fought at Minden in 1759. There had been a public meeting in Sevenoaks at which the magistrates had tried to enforce a new law. It broke up in disorder with the court officials pursued by an angry mob actually intent on slaughter. The terrified officials fled across the fields to Ashgrove where Smythe took them in. Then, faced by a large mob at his door, he saddled the charger he rode at Minden and alone, with his sword drawn, he charged them. They fled!

After Smyth the estate came to the Otway family of Smarden TQ8842, who were cousins of William Byrd, the founder of Richmond, Virginia. The Otways sheltered William’s three grandsons in the peace of Ashgrove over several difficult years. Eventually they had to return to Virginia where they were tossed back into the war from which the American colonies eventually gained their independence. The story of the Byrds of Virginia is at Link

Then to Ashgrove came the orphaned children of an Otway daughter, Sarah Mayne of Gatton Park TQ2752. Sarah had died in childbirth and her grieving husband became bankrupt and committed suicide leaving their four little boys, all aged under seven. They were immediately taken in and brought up at Ashgrove. One joined the Army, fought in Spain and at Waterloo and was promoted to General, while his brother was Vicar of Limpsfield TQ4053 for 34 years (portraits Link ). The third joined the Navy but was drowned aged 20, and the last went into the East India Company’s maritime service. Between them they fathered 28 children! A portrait of Sarah Mayne and the story of her family is at Link

In the 19th century, the West Heath School for Girls took over the Ashgrove Estate and ran successfully there for 65 years until suddenly and acrimoniously they closed their doors in 1997. Because of Diana Spencer’s past association with the school, she was a pupil there 1973-77, Mohamed Fayed of Harrods bought the estate in 1998 as a memorial to the late Princess of Wales and his son Dodi. Through the generosity of a grieving father, the estate has once again become a sanctuary, this time providing a permanent home for the Beth Marie Centre for children who suffer from behavioural problems. It is now known as the New School at West Heath Link.