Eckstein’s Mansion

1st December 2025

Another book of interest to residents of Ottershaw Park has just been published.

The Ecksteins of Birkach - A collective biography by long-standing OPEC resident John Athersuch.

The book traces the lives of two brothers, Hermann and Friedrich Eckstein and their close relatives. They were born in Birkach, a small town near Stuttgart, Germany but emigrated to South Africa where they made their fortunes in diamonds and gold. Friedrich later moved to England and in 1910 purchased the Ottershaw Park Estate where he built the present day mansion. He also championed cotton production in Sudan and for his success in this field received a baronetcy.

The Ecksteins of Birkach - A collective biography (£15)

If you would like to know more about the history of the Ottershaw Park Estate, and its other owners and occupiers please refer to John’s earlier publications (see below) all of which are available from the author (johnathersuch [at] gmail [dot] com).

An illustrated History of Ottershaw Park 1761–2011 (£17.50)

Ottershaw Park Estate in Picture Postcards (£10)

The Trials and Tribulations of Dora Schintz (£15)

Wildlife Survey

One of OPEC’s neighbours, Keith Miller, has compiled a wildlife survey of the area around the Fairoaks airport runway. It just shows what happens to nature if you leave it alone! Well done Fairoaks for doing this and to Keith for sharing the results with us. A copy can be downloaded here.

Useful Services

26/01/2024

The Useful Services page of the OPEC website (Administration | Useful Services) has been updated so you can directly link to Surrey County Council to report potholes or find out which roads they are going to dig up and when, and other useful stuff.

New book published

10th October 2023

John Athersuch has just published a book about Miss Dora Schintz, the last private owner of Ottershaw Park in the 1920s. “The Trials and Tribulations of Dora Schintz - Her Journey from Wealthy Philanthropist to Bankrupt and Homeless Spinster” is available directly from John (johnathersuch@gmail.com) price £15.

This book tells the story of Dora Schintz a little-known female philanthropist who inherited a vast fortune and was at one time owner of one of the finest houses in the country (Ottershaw Park). She rose to prominence in the world of hackney horses, gave generously to charity and financed hospitals for incurables and the wounded of The First World War. Her generosity led her to fund an inspired engineer and inventor, which eventually contributed greatly to her financial ruin. Her final years were spent in poor health living in boarding houses until she died alone and in penury.

Vintage Car Rally

1st January 2023

Some residents may have noticed there was a gathering of vintage cars in Ottershaw Park on Sunday. It was hosted by Peter Clarke. A great variety of models took part and it was wonderful to see them so immaculately turned out. Here are a few photos I took as participants were arriving.

AGM Thursday 24th November 2022

Members are reminded that the 2022 AGM will take place on Thursday 24th November 2022 at 8.00pm in Christ Church Hall. Documents relating to the AGM have been circulated by email. If you are attending the meeting please bring a copy of the documents with you for reference. If you are unable to attend and wish to vote on any matters please use the Form of Proxy and return it to the Chairman of the OPEC committee, Nigel Eastment, 27 Ottershaw Park or email it to OPEC@ottershawpark.co.uk at least 48 hours before the meeting.

Willow Farm update

13th October 2022

Nigel Eastment received the following, underwhelming, response from the officer responsible for the Willow Farm planning application.

He says - Seems to me all they have done so far is to admit that over the last 20 years they have not provided enough traveller pitches, maybe the new policy of putting them in every development is also not providing enough.

Also, as usual avoiding any response to specific questions - my query on the number of ‘Mobile Homes’ permitted on 4 pitches.

 ——————————————————————

Dear Mr Eastment

Thank you for your email regarding the planning application at Willow Farm, Chobham Rd, and apologies I was unable to take your call yesterday.

In response to your questions, this application is still under consideration by the Local Planning Authority and it has not therefore been decided whether the proposed development is acceptable. Unfortunately due to considerable workload pressures within the Local Planning Authority we are not always able to determine applications within the initial timeframe, and this is one such application. I am unfortunately therefore unable to share any updates at this time.

I am aware of the letters received from local residents and will be reviewing these in due course, however unfortunately we are also not able to respond to individual letters.  When the decision is issued, this will be accompanied by a report setting out how the Local Planning Authority has assessed the application and a summary of the relevant considerations, including representations received from local residents. Once the decision is issued any local resident who has made a representation on the application will be written to inform them of the decision and where they can view the accompanying report. The decision will also be made public on our website at the following link, which you can also use to keep track of any progress on the application, including consultation responses and representations received.  https://docs.runnymede.gov.uk/PublicAccess_LIVE/SearchResult/RunThirdPartySearch?FileSystemId=PL&FOLDER1_REF=RU.22/0109

I hope this has helped answer your questions. I appreciate the delays are frustrating and we will endeavour to determine the application as soon as possible.

 Kind regards

 Adam Jackson - Principal Planning Officer - Runnymede Borough Council – 01932 425237

adam.jackson@runnymede.gov.uk

Broadband update

25th October, 2021

Engineers were on site today flushing conduits around the estate ready for the installation of fibre cable. So it appears that we have not been forgotten and are still on track for a January installation.