Winkworth Arboretum

[Rogernoble]

There is a recurring theme in the Hillside story of the enormous enjoyment experienced at Dr Fox's woods. Now the full story:

The Story of Dr Wilfred Fox and Winkworth Arboretum
By Peter Herring

Wilfred Fox was born in 1875 and qualified as a doctor. After a spell at the Dreadnought Seaman’s Hospital as director of the Venereal Diseases Clinic he became one of the country’s leading dermatologist. In the First World War he converted his car to an ambulance and went to a France as a captain in the RAMC.
In 1918 he bought a country house Winkworth Farm in Hascombe. He clearly was becoming more and more interested in the arboretum concept. He was a leading light in the Road Beautifying Association which, with a number of other distinguished people. The purpose was to use planting to make all the new roads more attractive.
Over the following years Wilfred Fox gradually acquired further land and built up what is now Winkworth Arboretum. This book follows the story of its creation. One would have expected this labour of love to be guarded against intrusion from the local children. Nothing seems further from the reality. A local lad Tony Barrs recalls everyone being welcome at “Dr Fox’s woods” and he and his friends ran wild exploring, playing cricket, climbing trees and swimming in the lake. They often ran into Dr Fox and Tony remembers how kind he was to them, even inviting them to tea at his house.
The book is a fascinating story of a very interesting man and his scheme to create the Arboretum. I am certainly hoping to visit it the next time I am in the area.
As you can see from the letters below there was a strong connection with Hillside School. Des Adeley is Dr Fox’s grandson and Peter Herring one of the boys who loved playing in Dr Fox’s wood.

Roger Noble