Family of man who lived in house for 100 years won't sell

Ted Vine spent his whole life in the Upper Richmond Road property in East Sheen — now wedged between a branch of Waitrose and a DIY shop.

The pensioner, who died last week, was so determined to protect "his little piece of England" that he turned down offers of hundreds of thousands of pounds from businessmen trying to buy him out.

Now his six grandchildren, who have inherited the house, have promised to keep his wish that it be passed down through the generations.

Richard Vine, his grandson who runs the chimney-sweep business started by Ted's grandfather in 1850, said: "I supposed you would say we are a family who know our roots and like our traditions and heritage.

"My grandfather was offered a lot of money to give part of that up but he remained resolute. It meant more to him than money.

"He was born there, grew up there, brought his own wife home to that house where they brought up their own kids. You can't put a price on 100 years of good memories."

Ted's granddaughter Beverely Stephens said: "My grandfather always said the only way he would be taken out of the house was in a box."

The lease on the house was bought by Ted Vine's father, also a chimney sweep, in the early 1900s for 14 shillings a week. Ted was born in 1909.

When his father died in 1940, Ted took over the house with his wife Violet, who died in 1967. They had three children — Terry, Colin and Gillian, all now deceased.

After handing over the chimney sweeping business to Richard, Ted worked as a bicycle repair man.
Richard said: "He had a fascinating life and was full of stories.

"He told us about hearing the Zeppelin raids over London during the First World War, about his time with the RAF during the Second World War and about how he used to play cricket as a boy on a patch of land where Waitrose has now been built.

"That is why the house is so important to us. It has stood the test of time. My grandfather said it was his little piece of England. It would be sad to sell it now when it has survived so much."

He said his grandfather had not led a particularly healthy life but had kept active. "He had a Guinness at lunch and a scotch in the evening," he said.

Mr Vine leaves behind six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. A horse and carriage was due to carry Mr Vine from his home to Mortlake Crematorium today.

In Ted's Lifetime...

The reign of four different monarchs — George V (1910-1936), Edward VIII (abdicated 1936), George VI (1936-1952) and Elizabeth II (1952 to present day).

The leadership of 18 different prime ministers from Herbert Asquith in 1910 to Gordon Brown.
Two world wars.

Women getting the right to vote.

The introduction of the NHS in 1948.
The 1948 summer Olympics held in the original Wembley stadium.

The Great Smog of 1952.

The end of capital punishment in 1965.

Decimalisation in 1971.

Live Aid on 13 July 1985 organised to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia.

The death of Princess Diana in August 1997.

The 7/7 terrorist attacks in London 2005 which killed 56.