Other Booker Houses

The Bookers had 5 children, and they all lived the life of luxury in Velindre with a host of servants at their beck and call.

One daughter, Anna, died early, but the three boys, Richard Blakemore, John Partridge and Thomas William (junior), and their sister Mary grew up in the big house watching their father grow the business, and enjoying everything that a fabulously wealthy Victorian family could aspire to.

As they reached maturity, TWB Blakemore began planning for his children’s future. Mary would be married, so a suitable husband needed to be found, and suitable girls (as future Booker wives) would be needed. Mary would be provided with a dowry, but the sons needed homes of their own. TWB (junior) showed an interest in the family business, so he would live in Velindre, but new homes would be built for the other two. Richard, the eldest had The Pines, near to the old church, and John Partridge had a new house on Rhiwbina Hill called Greenhill.

However, the best laid plans etc, TWB Blakemore died at the young age of 57, so the business fell to the sons. His widow, Jane remained at Velindre until her death
Let’s look at the houses:

VELINDRE
We’ve looked previously at Velindre and how it changed over the years by TWB Blakemore. After he died in 1858, his youngest son TWB (junior) moved into the house with his new wife Caroline and his young family. This man was nothing like his father and plundered the business and estate for his own ends (more of this another time!). He spent further fortunes on Velindre and the grounds, and the OS map of 1880 gives a tantalising glimpse of where the money was spent, extending and upgrading the house and completing the extensive lawns and gardens. When everything collapsed in the 1870s, TWB (junior) left everything and simply moved to another mansion. This time in Southerndown, overlooking the sea. He died in 1887. Velindre had various tenants in the coming years, and finally was acquired by Cardiff Council as part of the new Asylum. It was demolished c1900

Prior to demolition, Cardiff Council were given a complete set of plans for the house; these have been lost, what a shame. We’re told that the grand stable block had a splendid clock and tower, and this was taken down and reused at the trolleybus terminal at Roath Park. This too has been lost!

THE PINES
This was the home for the eldest son Richard Blakemore Booker. In earlier times it was the site of an old cottage which became the Farmers Arms. This was demolished sometime after 1841, with the Pines was constructed subsequently.

The Pines is still there, and is the only part of the Booker enterprise to have remained
Richard never married and the Pines was his bachelor pad.
Edgar Chappell in his book ‘Old Whitchurch’ refers to Richard as ‘a man of dissolute habits’; a man who obviously burnt his candle at both ends, and died only 32 years of age!
Later tenants changed the name to ‘The Cottage’, and Ernie Broad refers to ‘Squire’ Phillips, who was Mayor of Cardiff when he lived there. Does anyone know of other tenants?
The GPO acquired the orchard and built a sorting office fronting onto Heol-y-Forlan. This too was later demolished for the housing development there today.

The Pines (now back to its old name) is now a dental practice, but thankfully nearly all of the original exteriors, including the wonderful Georgian chimneys remain intact. The stone boundary wall onto Old Church Road is incredibly high, and is clearly original to the house. I wonder why it was built so high, does anyone know?

GREENHILL
This was the home for John Partridge Booker and his family. Originally a farm called Pwll-y-Winci (Weasel’s Pool?), the house and lodge stood in 4 acres of garden, but surrounded by land of another 90 acres. Quite modest!

The house was huge, comprising a hall, study, drawing room, dining room, morning room, servant’s hall, footman’s bedroom and butler’s, plate and China pantries. It had six bedrooms on the first floor along with dressing and maid’s rooms. There were also two ‘good’ attics over for servants’ quarters.

There were also extensive stables and kennels for the local hunt (both fox and otter)
JPB died in 1868 aged only 34. His widow Clara lived at Greenhill for many years after
In the 20th century, Greenhill became tenanted. In 1909, the Evening Express newspaper reported that: ‘Capt. and Mrs Chappell of Greeenhill donated a new peal of bells to St Mary’s’
In later years, the 90 acres were sold off for development, and housing crept ever nearer to the big house. It was then sold to Cardiff Council who used it as a special school, and was subsequently demolished for a new school.

And what about the Stacey’s?
After her wedding in the old parish church of St Mary’s in April 1860 to Rev Cyril Stacey, the couple enjoyed a fabulous reception on the lawns at Velindre, complete with hundreds of guests, a brass band and 24 cannons (set on the banks of the River Taff below). Cyril was no ordinary vicar though; he had inherited land in Roath and built lots of houses. Mary moved away from Whitchurch, had 2 children, but unfortunately died soon after. She was buried in the old churchyard where she’d been married not long before. Streets in Roath were named after the family, Stacey Road, Richard’s Terrace (after Cyril’s uncle) and Booker Street for his wife. The photograph below shows the street.
Thanks to Ted Richards of Roath History Society for this information
Does anyone know where Mary and Cyril lived after their marriage? We’d love to know more!

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