Guy who was called in. In 1910, whilst John Guy was still operating
the tea garden, the plumbing and gasfitting part of the business, still
in the same premises, was being run by Henry Guy and Co. Two years
later both the tea garden and the plumbing business were in the name
of Henry Guy and Co. A very faded post-card in the possession of
Buckhurst Hill Library shows the premises with the designation
"Guys Retreat", but it has not been possible to trace when this title
was adopted.
This retreat was popular with the numerous cycling clubs which
flourished in those days and for many years it was the venue for all the
cyclists, who with gaily decorated machines rode through Wanstead
and Woodford collecting for various charities under the name of the
"The Woodford Meet". After dusk the return ride was undertaken

with the bicycles gaily
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illuminated with fairy lights of many types. By

1926, the premises were occupied by Thomas Airworthy who not only
continued business as Guys Retreat but he was also making ice-cream.
For this purpose the original timber buildings were unsuitable and so a
modern building was erected for the manufacture of the ice-cream with
an incorporated cafe where refreshments were obtainable. In 1948,
part of the premises at the southern end was occupied as a labour
exchange until new premises for that purpose were built in Loughton.
The proprietor, now in his 70's, retired in 1956 or 1957 when the entire
property was purchased by the local authority and converted to
residential purposes in which use it still goes under the name of
"Guys Retreat". Thomas Airworthy died in January, 1975.
The Ragged School Union was founded in 1844 and later joined
forces with the Shaftesbury Society founded by Lord Shaftesbury.
One of the aims was to provide a "day in the country" for which a
special fund was inaugurated. Epping Forest was the nearest large
open space to which parties of children from the east end of London
could be brought. In 1891, an application was received for permission
to set up suitable accommodation in the forest for the reception and
entertainment of these children. This was first located on Leyton Flats
adjacent to Hollybush Hill.
In 1883, John Dean advertised Melbourne Cottage and Retreat
which was described as being at "Staples Hill, Loughton, opposite
the new reservoir in one of the most romantic and picturesque spots
on Epping Forest, the gates of which open into the forest, and is not
more than ten minute's walk from the Loughton station of the Great
Eastern Railway". Presumably the new reservoir was Staples Pond on
the Loughton Brook, a pond which was drained during the 1930's.
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