I think this is awful, the photos show that they’ve completely destroyed the house’s character, the surroundings have destroyed whatever could have been redeemed.

The price of progress, I suppose….

My friend told me that the owner had managed to secure a grant to help to restore the house so that further damage could be prevented, I think it was from English Heritage, but then they had withdrawn the offer – it was only a small grant anyway and wouldn’t have made much of a difference.

We went to the back garden and she told me how far the land used to go. She said I could take a look up the stairs, but it was impossible to get up there because of the damage and the scaffolding, and she was right!

I have very fond memories of our evening there, especially now, as my friend has since passed. It’s a very special house, with so much history. It’s so beautiful, I do hope that it isn’t lost.

Criminal that Gladstone house was demolished, hopefully someone will step in here.

Mark and Virginia were both actors and had 3 children;= Peter, Rebecca and Katy. I remember Mark as a quiet, reserved man with authority. Virginia was the opposite flamboyant, gregarious and jovial. To me she was everything an actress should be;- beautiful, larger than life, a bulbous rosy face framed by period black long curls. Her clothes were as theatrical as she was- long full skirts, feminine blouses and always with a shawl. Virginia had a very distinct and loud laugh which was infectious.

Some of my happiest memories were time spent with The Dignams at The Farm. Nothing about them or The Farm was ordinary. They were very hospitable and sociable holding several parties throughout the year which were attended by 100’s (to a young child) of other unconventional people. As Katy and I were the same age we used to hide under the large farmhouse tables and watch the adults talk about politics, theatre and current affairs. I remember being really chuffed that Anthony Booth (the tv actor and Cherri Blairs dad) gave me a chewing gum.
Virginia used to drive me to drama lessons with Katy at Hampstead theatre. Even the act of her driving felt special as I was used to mainly men driving in those days. I could see very clearly that Virginia’s life was so much more than being a mum and a housewife (which most woman were in those days) and as she seemed so happy I guess she offered me the prospect of an alternative. The other enduring memory I have of her was a firm kindness a bit like Claire Rayner!
Anyway, I havent seen any of The Dignams for over 30 years. I would love to reconnect with them again-particulary Katy who was my best friend for a few of my precious childhood years. I would also like to hear from you if you were at any of those parties in the 1960;s and early 70’s.
The house should be preserved for future generations as it is a very important part of our social and geographical history.

But I am aware of the reality that its cheaply constructed, has had virtually no maintenance over the last 100 years. Sadly apart from the outside there is nothing of any real importance.

It seems the current owners don’t have any money to restore it, English Heritage have declined, Brent Council have no interest in it and the current owners don’t want to sell it to someone who will be able to restore it. So currently its just going to continue to deteriorate until it falls down.

Perhaps I should remind anyone in the area that Dollis Hill House had the roof burnt off. For about 12 years it was left like that surrounded by scaffolding with no attempt being made by Brent to repair it. Eventually it was demolished! If there was any money to be spent it would have been well worth while keeping and far more than Oxgate Farm.

The lovely old black and white building by Willesden Library seems not to have any substantial future either. At one tine Brent were going to demolish it.

The reality of the current world is that all most people want is high rise council flats and MacDonalds. No one wants to retain the older buildings any more.