The large estate and manor house which Francis Dickins' family had previously inherited two generations before, was impossible to keep together after Francis and his wife, Diana, both died in 1833. Despite the efforts of their son, the Reverend William Dickins, the estate was eventually broken down and sold to four principal buyers in 1844. The mansion house and grounds, including the land now used for the pocket park, was bought by Samuel Soames, who consequently became lord of the manor. Samuel Soames sold his property to Charles Hill in 1852. The hall and grounds then descended to his son, Joseph Hill. In 1940 Messrs Scott Bader bought the property when they moved from London. It is still owned by the company, which is now a Commonwealth, and in 2002, to mark Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee, Scott Bader kindly leased the land for the pocket park to Wollaston Parish Council for 25 years, at a peppercorn rent, for the benefit of the village. The pocket park is looked after by local volunteers.
