Manor from heaven
Work is under way to restore a historic medieval timber house to its former glory and maintain it for posterity, writes
IT IS not only the oldest building in Manchester but also “one of the most important timber framed houses in Europe”.
And it sits in the middle of Wythenshawe.
Baguley Hall, an early 14th century manor house is on a site lived on since Anglo Saxon times.
A working farm until the 1930s, it was saved from demolition 50 years ago through a public petition and the efforts of local MP, Alf Morris, who made a passionate plea in Parliament.
Mr Morris urged the government to save ‘one of the finest timber buildings in Europe, and of outstanding historical and architectural importance, whose demolition would be emphatically contrary to the best interests of Manchester and Great Britain as a whole.’
But the hall remains closed, despite hopes it can be turned into a resource for the community and an education centre for schools.
Now, an important step has been taken to secure its future. Scaffolding which has been in place for ten years is to be removed from the interior and the floor relaid to improve access.
Heritage specialists Restoration Projects, will carry out the £250,000 repairs to stop water damage. All work will be undertaken to the highest standards, using techniques and materials essential in the repair, maintenance and retrofit of such a significant historic building.
A Grade I listed hall, built around 700 years ago, the building is managed by Historic England on behalf of the government with support from English Heritage. Features include an extremely unusual timber frame and tall wooden-mullioned windows. It is classified as being of exceptional interest, with just 2.5% of listed buildings across the country meeting the standard for Grade I.
After completion of the works later this year, Historic England plans to join forces with local volunteers, the Friends of Baguley Hall, in enabling the community to learn more about this remarkable building. At the same time Historic England will be exploring options to secure a long-term sustainable use for the building.
Local MPs Mike Kane, and Jeff Smith, local campaigners, and officials from Historic England visited the site ahead of the start of the repair work.
Mr Kane, MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, said: “Being born and raised in the area, I’m deeply proud of our heritage, from medieval Baguley Hall right through to the history of the Simon family who gifted Wythenshawe Hall and the surrounding estate to the people of Manchester in the 1920s.
It is thought the hall was created as a manor house and then became a farmhouse. It has a medieval north wing remodelled in the 17th century; a 16th century porch; and early 17th century south wing. According to Historic England it is a “Tall single-storey hall with two-storey porch, twoand-a-half storey wings. The hall has a chamfered sandstone plinth, and an extremely unusual timber frame composed of massive planks, the verticals serving dual function as posts and studs, and the north-west corner formed by a huge L-shaped post.”
The interior includes a ‘very fine common-rafter roof with curved scissor-braces longitudinally linked by a central purlin’ and a large inglenook fireplace, the remains of 17th century staircase. Money for the repairs has been provided by Historic England. Aside from the £250,000 for this project, Historic England has paid for regular maintenance and 24 hour security, supported by English Heritage Trust.
In 2016 campaigners vowed to fight to continue to fight to re-open the building after £1.5m worth of funding was withdrawn. The Friends group had been battling for years to see the medieval gem opened for the community.
Empty for nearly 80 years now, it has fallen into disrepair. It was due for a revamp after the Friends group managed to secure £1.5m of repair funds from Historic England in 2013. But the HE bosses said the funding was never formally agreed and budget cuts meant the money could no longer be offered.
Mat Hopkins, chairman of the Friends of Baguley Hall, in 2016, said at the time: “I remember as a kid I went into it and it was absolutely beautiful - I was overwhelmed.
“There has been a scandalous lack of movement from Historic England, Heritage Trust North West and more worryingly, nobody in local government has the insight to see what an absolute treasure and possible major attraction is right on their doorstep.”