Auction signalled the end of country house.

(From Leicester Mercury)

My recent item about the demolition of Stoughton Grange, the country mansion that was the seat of the Powys-Keck family, interested a number of readers.

The Grange and much of its extensive estate were sold to the Co-Operative Society. The area is now central to the development of the proposed eco-town.

My item featured Dr Helen Boynton's splendidly-illustrated book, South east of Leicester, which gives the history of Stoughton Grange and the surrounding villages, along with the southeastern suburbs of Leicester.

Dr Boynton has since lent me the sales particulars of Stoughton Grange, which was put up for auction by Messrs Warner, Sheppard and Wade at their Mart in Halford Street, Leicester, on July 9, 1913.

"Sales particulars" is a rather meagre phrase for the beautifully-produced and illustrated hard-back book, 10in by 16in, and including a set of plans and the conditions of sale.

The estate is described as "exceedingly choice" and "situated in Mr Fernie's Country and within easy reach of the Quorn and Cottesmore" - assuming that any private purchaser would be a follower of the hunt.