Restoration of grade II listed building

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EXTERIOR

The cottage has two storeys. The façade has a central, C19 gabled porch with a two light sash window on the right and the original sash with glazing bars on the left. At the ground floor, there are two boarded-up flush sash windows with glazing bars but without horns. The asymmetric gable roof has a plain tile covering to the front pitch and pantiles to the rear and there are two end stacks, both truncated. Beneath the weatherboard on the rear elevation, a timber mid-rail, studs, and part of a door jamb are exposed. The rear extension has been removed, exposing an interior doorway into the rear kitchen and outshot. The main rear entrance lies to the right and there is an original window opening further to the right at ground floor level, although the window itself has been removed. On the first floor there are two boarded-up flush sash windows with glazing bars flanking a central casement window.

INTERIOR

There are boxed-in bridging beams in both ground-floor rooms. The fire surrounds have been removed, but the dado and picture rails, built-in cupboards and wall panelling beneath the dado rail remain in the right-hand room. The mid-rail of the south cross frame remains and continues to be exposed into the kitchen to the rear. The left-hand room has exposed studwork at the north gable end and picture rails. All windows have moulded timber surrounds. At the rear a steep dog-legged staircase leads to the first floor. The three bedrooms are plain and none have their fireplaces. The exposed window frames are all six-over-six sash windows without horns. There are two, two-panel doors, one with an ‘H-L’ hinge. The casement window above the stairs, said to be 20th century in date, comprises two leaded lights, the top with a hopper openings, and each with 25 stained glass panes. At the centre of both are Coats of Arms with geometric stained-glass patterns.

HISTORY

Thrift Hall and Thrift Cottage are identified on the parish map of 1825 (possibly that by JJ Crawter and Sons) when they are owned by Charles Preston. They are also depicted on the Tithe Map of 1842. The first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1870 shows Thrift Hall and the cottage within the walled garden of the hall, on the suburban outskirts of Waltham Abbey. It appears that the cottage is either very close or attached to a larger villa to its south, known as The Limes. The sale particulars for the hall and cottage, dated 1859, states that the cottage had four bedrooms, a parlour, kitchen, scullery and larder and gardens to the front and rear.

Thrift Hall was renovated in the early 21st Century, but the cottage, which was once accommodation for the hall’s caretaker, has been vacant since approximately 1997. At the time of the inspection most of the door and window openings were boarded over.