Situated in St Sampson’s, Glenbrook was built by farmer Thomas Ferbrache in 1895. It was formerly a stable with watering troughs, which formed part of his family’s farm. The land it was built on, in and around Les Effards, had been farmed exclusively by Ferbraches since the mid-1700s.
Opposite Glenbrook sits Maison des Effards, a house built by Thomas’ great-great-grandfather James, whose initials and the date 1798 are engraved above its front door. Thomas spent his whole life in Glenbrook with his wife and two boys, Harold and Wilford.
Harold was killed in action during the First World War, aged 21, leaving the house to Wilford.
When he was evacuated to England during the occupation in World War II, Glenbrook was rented until 1956 when Wilford’s son, Graeme, married Eileen Smith and moved back into the house.
Graeme and Eileen both lived in Glenbrook for the remainder of their lives, where they raised two children, Ian and Jayne.
‘Christmas was always a big thing in the house,’ said Ian Ferbrache.
‘All the family would come round to Glenbrook.
‘The tree was in the front room and we had a lovely dining room which became my mum’s music room. She was a well-known local teacher and did a lot of teaching from there.
‘She taught David Le Page in that room and others who have gone on to great things.
‘When she got a bit older, she became a great preacher at Delancey Church and then the room became her vestry.’
Mr Ferbrache’s sister, Jayne moved back in with their elderly parents to provide care for them.
Since their passing last year, Jayne has been living in the house alone and would like to now move on.
Mr Ferbrache, who now lives in France, said the house would benefit from some upgrading, which both he and Jayne were unable to devote the time and money to.
‘We are desperately sad to see the property being sold outside the family for the first time since its construction, and the land for a considerably longer time,’ said Mr Ferbrache.
‘It had been hoped that one of my children might have bought the old house but sadly that isn’t likely to happen with one living in the south of France, another in Devon and the other happily settled in Guernsey.
‘The house just needs some love and care, and hopefully it will make an amazing family home again.’
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