The Kloof can be found near the end of Wolseley Road at Saltash Passage. The house was built by James Ware (shown) in 1914. James Ware owned and ran Ware's coal and coke business from Ware's Quay which, today, would be opposite the Ferry House Inn. The quay was built in 1898 by James Tripp using stone from Little Ash Quarry. It was taken over by James Ware and renamed and used by him until 1922.
The Kloof was built just before the First World War and may not have been built at all, if built at a later date, due to the lack of materials that were available as a direct result of the War. In later years, the fields by the Kloof were rented out for a variety of uses. These included stabling horses, a local business growing fruit and vegetables and an enterprise growing daffodils in the Spring. A variety of animals were kept there for commercial use also, including pigs, sheep and chickens. The fruit and vegetable business was run by Frederick Johns who delivered to the St Budeaux area with his horse and cart. In the Second World War, the US army used the field to house their troops and vehicles.
The Kloof was built just before the First World War and may not have been built at all, if built at a later date, due to the lack of materials that were available as a direct result of the War. In later years, the fields by the Kloof were rented out for a variety of uses. These included stabling horses, a local business growing fruit and vegetables and an enterprise growing daffodils in the Spring. A variety of animals were kept there for commercial use also, including pigs, sheep and chickens. The fruit and vegetable business was run by Frederick Johns who delivered to the St Budeaux area with his horse and cart. In the Second World War, the US army used the field to house their troops and vehicles.
Many older residents will remember Marshall Ware who lived at the Kloof for most of his life. He had a passion for local history and wrote two books about St Budeaux. He also had a passion for wildlife and I remember that he told me that he would climb into trees to photograph the eggs of birds but would never take them to collect. I also remember him telling me how he remembered his father planting the many trees that now surround the field at the Kloof. Marshall seemed to know the name of every plant, flower and bird in the area and, at the time, would happily tell me all about them. Some of Marshall's stories can be found in my books 'Saltash Passage,' 'St Budeaux,' and 'Memories of St Budeaux.'
I rememeber dear old Marshall and his wife Sally when my friend and I used to keep our ponies in The Kloof , he used to tell us stories and tell us the names of the plants too and also showed us the inspection pit inside the old barn in the field , it was full of old bottles and pictures he hadn't seen for years . Its a lovely peaceful place and it would be such a shame if I was ever built on . I know Marshall himself would have never wanted that .Its a wonderful place in history and I hope it stays that way .
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