A BAFFLED couple are appealing for people in Pinner to help them solve a historical conundrum.

Lawrence Camps, of Pinner Hill Farm in Pinner Hill, noticed 30 names etched onto the wall of the porch dating back to 1894.

He and his wife, Pat, are hoping people whose families have lived in Pinner for generations can shed some light on who wrote the names and perhaps a bit about their history.

The couple have lived at the property for more than 30 years and have spent the last few decades restoring the historic buildings.

Mr Camps said he believes the writing could offer vital clues to the history of Pinner and piece people’s family trees together.

He said: “The names and dates are written on the covered porch in what used to be the farm house, which I think dates back to 1820 or 1830. Some are people who lived in the farm house and some are people who visited here.

“I would like to find out more information as some of the names are starting to fade away. They are mostly pencil between the bricks and they are just pencilled on to the mortar.”

The 72-year-old has already found links to well-known families in Pinner.

He said: “It mentions C Woodman, whose family owned half the shops on the High Street in Pinner from before the war and well into the 1970s. One of the name is Michelle Rice. Her family lived in Rickmansworth but it’s possible her name may have changed through marriage.”

The house near the top of Pinner Hill is used as offices and a family home and a complete renovation of the striking clock tower has taken place over the last few years.

Arthur W Tooke is thought to have built Pinner Hill Farm and the clock tower in the mid-19th Century and the Camps are hoping for people to come forward with information about the varied history of the building.

The name on Pinner Hill Farm wall

J Banks Jack Litchfield 1908

H Blogg M Mitchell 1945

E Bray Raymond Pratt

J Breen 193- B Palmer

J W Brown M Rob

Elsie Clegg 1910 Michael Roberts

Doris Clegg 1925 Ray Rothschild

N Cotton 197- Bill Russell 1923

D Gurney 3.3.45 John Somerton (Waxwell Bakery)

R Grant 1935 C Woodman 1926

Alf Greenaway P Watts

Fred Halse 1894

Sylvia Holdford