A man has appeared in court in connection with the fire at Wythenshawe Hall.
Jeremy Taylor, aged 26, from Wythenshawe has been charged with arson and appeared before Manchester Magistrates’ Court where he was bailed to appear at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday 20 April 2016.
Shortly after 3.30am on Tuesday 15 March 2016 police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were called after a fire broke out in the timber-framed Wythenshawe Hall.
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The Friends of Wythenshawe Hall are gearing up for their Easter Monday event and want as many people as possible to show their continued support and and share memories of the historic buidling.
A special day of free events will continue as planned on Easter Monday, 28 March, midday until 4pm, moving the attractions into the grounds of the Hall. Continue reading “Wythenshawe Hall prepare for their Easter celebrations with a little help from their Friends”
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Manchester’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Paul Murphy delivered a defiant message to those responsible for the Wythenshawe Hall fire – “You will never defeat us.”
Cllr Murphy addressed local residents and campaigners who met at the weekend to plan how the historic building will rise from the ashes after Tuesday’s devastating blaze.
Standing room only @WythenshaweHall meeting – thanking @manchesterfire @ManCityCouncil & discussing next steps pic.twitter.com/6BoYAM0PXM
— Mike Kane (@MikeKaneMP) March 19, 2016
Following a packed meeting in the Courtyard Cafe, Cllr Murphy told supporters gathering outside the hall: “It is difficult to understand the mentality of someone who would deliberately start a fire on our heritage. This is our heritage and it belongs to every single one of us
“Whilst this is a sad day, it’s also a very special day, because this is the day we launch the fightback. This is Wythenshawe people fighting back against people who want to pull us down, and I say to those people ‘you will never defeat us. We will not only overcome, we will produce a better hall than it was before.”
Plans are now well underway to raise cash to rebuild the hall which was badly damaged in the fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The building is insured, Paul Selby, of the Friends of Wythenshawe Hall, said they want to raise cash to make sure the building comes back even better than before.
A Just Giving page has been set up which has already raised £3,400
Richard Jackson, who is a direct descendant of the Tatton family who owned the hall before it was handed over to Manchester City Council, said he was heartened by the incredible support displayed following the fire.
He told the Wythenshawe Reporter: “It was a shocking experience to see the house that you love so much in such a state. The fear was that we had lost all the contents and everything inside. Having been here for the last two days it is quite heartening to see it is possible to put the house back together again and that there are large parts of it completely untouched.
“The best part of the experience is the level of support there has been – from the people who have been in touch, the people who are here today, the councillors and the fire brigade – they’ve all done a fantastic job and it has helped a great deal.”.
Police investigating the cause of the Wythenshawe Hall fire have confirmed it was started deliberately and have appealed to the public for help to find the culprits.
Investigating officers are treating the fire as arson after evidence showed that numerous attempts had been made around the building to start the fire. Continue reading “Police appeal for information as they confirm the Wythenshawe Hall fire was arson”
Wythenshawe Hall will be staging its Victorian Easter event as planned despite the devastating fire which destroyed the roof and clock tower of the historic Tudor building.
The Friends of Wythenshawe Hall have vowed to carry on with their planned events as they launch an appeal fund to help the popular attraction rise from the ashes.
Wythenshawe Hall’s event on Easter Monday, March 28 will be held outside in the park and will provide an opportunity for residents to show their support campaigners fighting to restore the building to its former glory.
The event will include Easter crafts, a treasure hunt, Punch & Judy show and a special appearance from the Easter Bunny.
An appeal fund launched shortly after the fire raised more than £1,000 in less than 24 hours. The campaigners aim to raise £250,000 to restore the building.
Can you help @WythenshaweHall raise £2000 by the end of today to help restore its Tudor Hall after a terrible fire? https://t.co/kbaaLIiQC7
— The Horsfall Space (@TheHorsfall) March 17, 2016
More than 50 firefighters and 10 fire engines tackled the blaze which started at 3.30am on March 15.
Meetings with Manchester City Council, who own the building, the Friends of Wythenshawe Hall and councillors in the area are being set up to come up with a plan to raise and MP, Mike Kane is raising the issue with the government department responsible for culture.
Meanwhile the Courtyard Cafe near the hall is open for business as usual.
The Courtyard Cafe at @WythenshaweHall is still open and as lovely as ever pic.twitter.com/zSCoN2HlCu
— Sarah Russell (@S_A_Russell) March 17, 2016
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services’ fire investigation team has been helping Greater Manchester Police with its investigation into the cause of the incident and it is thought that the fire was started deliberately.
Wythenshawe Police is appealing for anyone who may have any information to come forward by ringing 0161 856 4882, 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
