The homestead was built by Alexander Beatson Balcombe in the late 1840's and named after the old family home on St Helena, where his father had been an agent of the East India Company. It was on St Helena that Balcombe had befriended the exiled French Emperor, Napoleon. This friendship almost led to Balcombe being tried for treason, but it also resulted in some gifts of furniture from Napoleon which are included in a display of Napoleonic memorabilia collected by Balcombe's grand-daughter, the late Dame Mabel Brookes. The spinning group uses the large drawing room, with its open fire, for winter spinning and the verandah with garden scents and pleasant views in finer weather. The events some of the group may attend during the year include, the annual Country Groups Conference, Sheep and Wool Show, Guild monthly meetings at The Metro and activities held at The Briars.
Some members also attend other groups' special days and spin-ins.