The fire crew who helped save Wythenshawe Hall from fire devastation have visited the historic building a year on as work begins to repair the roof and exterior.
The fire could have been end for the much-loved building had it not been for the heroic efforts of Greater Manchester Fire Services officers, who battled through a March night last year to prevent the destruction of the largely timber-framed medieval hall.
Work on driving forward the restoration of fire-hit Wythenshawe Hall to its former glory is expected to begin in the spring of next year following the submission of planning application.
If planners give the green light, work will begin to rebuild the clock tower, and repair the roof and the exterior walls of the hall, which was badly damaged by fire in March.
The planning application is expected to be referred to the government for approval . Manchester City Council has been working with partners with their advisors Conservation Architects, Engineers, Surveyors and Historic England, who will will ask the Secretary of State to endorse their recommendations.
Planning approval is necessary to officially permit the repair work because some elements cannot replaced exactly like-for-like. This is because conservation guidelines and practices have changed since the last repair programme undertaken in the 1950s.
Damaged timbers that remain sufficiently strong will remain. Those that aren’t will be salvaged as much as possible with new timber spliced in or bolted adjacent to the original material.
The fire will become part of the building’s official history, in line with current conservation best practice.
If planning consent is approved, and once a suitable contractor with the appropriate heritage skills is appointed, work on the Hall is expected to commence in spring 2017.
The insurance company is working alongside the council to determine the detail of the works and who will be appointed to do them. Subsequent applications will follow in relation to the proposed interior repairs.
Wythenshawe councillor, Sue Murphy – deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “So much work has gone on inside the Hall to protect it and salvage anything of architectural value, but it’s so heartening to reach a point where the repairs to the exterior of the building can begin.
“This is an important milestone for the local community who rallied to support the effort to save the property and the visible signs of the repair work will be a comfort to those who thought the fire could be the end for Wythenshawe Hall.”
Richard Jackson, chair of Friends of Wythenshawe Hall, said: “The Friends of Wythenshawe Hall have been on a roller coaster of emotions since March when it seemed as if Wythenshawe Hall may have suffered terminal damage in the fire.
“Now with the path to full restoration already well underway. The Friends would like to thank all those who have put so much effort into making sure the Hall in the not so distant future will open its doors to visitors once again.
Charles Smith, Heritage at Risk Principal in the North West said: “We are delighted that Manchester City Council has acted so proactively and positively following the tragic fire at Wythenshawe Hall, one of Manchester’s last surviving timber framed buildings. We look forward to being consulted formally on the planning application ahead of major repair works starting next year.”
Youngsters from Wythenshawe schools with Mike Kane MP (left) and Paul Selby
Schools in Wythenshawe came together to present more than £6,000 to the Friends of Wythenshawe Hall, bidding to restore the fire-hit historic building to its former glory.
Chair of the Friends group Richard Jackson said: “After the fire we were devastated, but to see schools and children working so hard to raise funds for us has given us a huge lift.”
Headteacher of Sandilands Primary School, Joan Grant, who organised the cross-schools efforts, commented: “I was amazed at the response I had when I contacted other schools, there was a real eagerness to take part.”
A total of 19 schools raised funds.
Members of Friends of Wythenshawe Hall dressed in Tudor costume to welcome pupils and staff from the schools at the Courtyard Café in Wythenshawe Park, before performing a specially written poem. MP Mike Kane thanked the schools on behalf of the community, taking time to greet each school child and mention their school. Mike reminisced about learning to play cricket in front of the Hall during his schools days and said: “I am talking to the Council about making the Hall a great place for today’s children and future generations.”
Vice Chair of the Friends group Paul Selby, who was one of the first at the scene of the fire, said: “It is fantastic that the schools and children have become involved – we do what we do for them and the community and it gives me a great sense of pride to see their interest and love for the Hall.”
Much loved local landmark Wythenshawe Hall was damaged due to a fire in the early hours of Tuesday 15th March, taking more than 50 firefighters to put out. The building, built in 1540, suffered extensive damage to the bell tower, roof, first floor and timber beams. The Friends of Wythenshawe Hall have begun fundraising to have damaged parts of the building restored, hoping to re-open within two years.
Firefighters who helped save the building cut the ribbon on the Tenant’s Hall on Sunday when local people enjoyed entertainment and fun at an open day to mark the occasion, organised by the Friends of Wythenshawe Hall.
The event was part of the nationwide Big Lunch initiative which has been celebrating the Queen’s 90th Birthday.
Richard Jackson, Chairman of the Friends of Wythenshawe Hall and an ancestor of the Tatton family who owned the historic Tudor building, praised the tremendous support from the local community, especially the town’s school children, who have raised cash to help restore the building to its former glory.
Local people and FOWH members dressed in Tudor finery were entertained at the grand re-opening by performances from an opera singer, pianist, court jester and the Ukuhelee Band.
Since the fire, the friends’ group have continued their monthly public open days undeterred from the nearby Courtyard Café, but the ambition was to return to the property as soon as possible.
March when a fire damaged Part of Wythenshawe Hall will be re-opened to the public, just months after the devastating fire which ripped through the building.
Firefighters, who played a crucial part in saving the historic building will cut the ribbon to re-open the Tenants Hall on Sunday, 12 June.
Part of Wythenshawe Hall was reopened to the public at the weekend, three months after a fire which which caused devastating damage to the building.