| The Big Houses |
| dampslad | My turn to ask my betters about things I know less about.
I've always wondered about Leyland's "Big Houses". Not Worden, of course. There's enough history on that to sink a ship - though I do wonder what is happening to Old Worden Hall, for many years buried inside the ROF, now that the factory is being redeveloped.
It was some of the others, probably mainly built by wealthy industrialists in Victorian times or even later.
For instance, I know Beechfield in Church Road was the home of the Pilkington family who owned Earnshaw Bridge Mill. But what of Wellington House? I remember it as where Leyland Motors' "Premiums" lodged under the watchful eye of one Mr Glassbrook, whose son John now has a vet's practice in King Street, I believe. But who built it? And was the house on the corner of the next road with its rounded end and pointed roof the lodge for it?
At the other end of town (well over the border when I was little) we always referred to the woodland fronting Stanifield Lane as Bashall's Wood. Does that make the house behind it that was for many years the BTR Social Club the home of Mr Bashall, one of the founders of Farington Mill? If so, was the rather grander Farington Lodge further towards Leyland his partner, Mr Boardman's?
I vaguely recall seeing a photo of Broadfield House, home of the Stannings, in its prime. How come it fell to rack and ruin? And were the Stannings perhaps childless AND devout Catholics who left the land to the church and that's how come St Mary's stands on the site now?
Other things intrigue me about the history of Leyland, its houses and the people who built them. I always understood that the Baldwins (vicars of Leyland for generations) built Baldwin Croft on the corner of Church Road and Beech Avenue as a retirement home, having first built the "new" vicarage (now the centre piece of the sheltered flats off Worden Lane) and paid for the old one to be turned into parish rooms and eventually have the church hall tacked on. Whence came their wealth? Third sons of the aristocracy?
And where does the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres fit into the picture? He's on a photo as the squire's guest at a May Festival before the war. But it surely can't be an accident that there's a road and an avenue in Leyland named after him. Did he own land in Leyland?
I'd be interested if anyone has any ideas.
Colin Damp
PLYMOUTH |
| rocketmanjohn | Colin,
My grandfather, Jack McKittrick, was manager at Stannings. My mother was a house guest many times in her youth. I have many old photos of the grounds, boating lakes and house in Broadfield if you're interested. Incidently, Broadfield grounds were used by American troups in training after the war. Many a time we would get little treats unavailable because of rationing. I was always being asked if I had a sister, but never figured out why they wanted to know.
John |
| Peter119 | Colin,
The Historical Society is keeping its eyes on Worden Old Hall, but we are not too impressed with English Heritage, whose pic on the "Buildings At Risk" part of their site shows Worden Hall in Worden Park, not the old hall.
The Crawford and Balcarres connection is after the former local MP, the Earl of Crawford, later Lord Balcarres.
There are more details on the old houses in Leyland available in the Society chronicles available from the Society or at the library
Peter |
| noel | There's some great stuff here Colin Peter and John. I'm learning a lot. The BTR Club has closed now of course, bought by the owner of Lunar Caravans, Michael Campbell who used to live oposite it. I hope the cricket and football grounds are preserved. |
| Peter119 | The Historical Society committee visited Old Worden Hall last weekend (24th November). The building requires much renovation work before it can be used for any function that the current owners may have for it, it is up to everyone to keep up the pressure on the developers. Since the site now is semi open (we saw no fences baring the way), please would anyone on their way up Dawson Lane, take a detour at the new roundabout and check up on the building. If enough of us do it, it may show the powers that be, that someone is interested.
Peter Houghton |
| Peter119 | I forget to mention that a picture of the current state of the building can be seen at http://www.houghton59.fsnet.co.uk/news%20A%20views.htm
Peter |