Tag: Wythenshawe Hall

Community News

Wythenshawe Hall set to re-open six years after devastating fire
Pic: MCC

Historic Wythenshawe Hall will be re-opened to the public next weekend (September 10th) after being restored to its former glory following an arson attack six years ago.

The long-anticipated repairs to the Grade II listed building in Wythenshawe Park, have now been completed.  

The hall was forced to close due to an arson attack in 2016. Manchester City Council has carried out over £6.7 million of extensive refurbishment works and have enhanced security upgrades to the hall, to protect it from further damage and to allow the public to enjoy the magnificent building once again. 

Manchester City Council with partners Conlon Construction, have been working to ensure that the building is brought back to its former glory and so future generations and residents can enjoy the Hall.   

As part of the restoration works, the entire roof of the hall has been replaced. The Main Hall has seen the refurbishment of the ceiling and conservation of the timber panelling, which have been delicately cleaned and repaired to ensure the unique and historic designs were protected.  The timeless stained-glass windows have been replaced and the artistry has been mimicked to best represent the original windows on the building.  

Pic: MCC

The restoration of Wythenshawe Hall won a Civic Trust Architects Accredited in Building Conservation (AABC) Award in 2021. The project was one of just two to receive the AABC Conservation Award at national level, which recognises projects that demonstrate the highest standards of historic building conservation and make an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the built environment. In addition, RIBA North West Award 2021, RIBA North West Conservation Award 2021 were also won by Buttress Architects for the restoration work on the Hall.  

Now, the Hall is ready to be dressed and restored to its former glory. It will be reopened to the public on  10 September  to celebrate the Friends of Wythenshawe Park’s 10-year anniversary.   

Councillor Lee Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said:  “It brings me great pleasure to see that the Hall has reopened and restored to its former glory after the devastating incident in 2016. As custodians of the building the Council have been working over the past few years to protect the Hall and we have also carried out major improvement works to ensure the building is better suited for the future.  

“Despite the gruelling and long repair process, we have been able to preserve many of the building’s original features and characteristics- which is a wonderful achievement. I also want to thank our Construction partners Conlon for all of their hard work in repairing the damage.  

“Wythenshawe Hall is a beautiful building that harbours lots of local history and cultural value and I am pleased we have repaired the damage that was done.” 

For more information on tours conducted by the Friends of Wythenshawe Park visit: https://wythenshawehall.com/www_main/index.html

Community News, News, Politics, Sport

Wythenshawe Hall to light up in solidarity with anti-racist #BlackLivesMatter movement

Best-house-view

Wythenshawe Hall will light up tonight (June 2nd) in solidarity with those protesting for equal rights across America and round the globe.

The racist killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis has sparked outrage across the United States with protests in more than 22 cities.

Mr Floyd died after a policeman knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. The officer has been charged with third degree murder and manslaughter and there have been calls for other officers to be charged as well.

Mr Floyd’s death, the latest in a number of killings including Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor this year, led to an outpouring of anger. There have have been solidarity Black Lives Matter protests in the UK including Manchester.

And Manchester United star Marcus Rashford, from Wythenshawe, voiced his  support for the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement.

The footballer said on Twitter:  “At a time I’ve been asking people to come together, work together and be united, we appear to be more divided than ever. People are hurting and people need answers.

“Black lives matter. Black culture matters. Black communities matter. We matter. #justiceforgeorgefloyd #justiceforahmaudarbery #justiceforbreonnataylor.’

Manchester City Council’s decision to light up Wythenshawe Town Hall follows a similar announcement by Liverpool City Council to uplight it’s municipal buildings

Manchester Town Hall would usually be lit to mark such events, but the ongoing Our Town Hall project means uplighting the building will not be possible.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Discrimination takes many forms, but in whatever guise it takes, it must be challenged head on. This is the only way we can make the world a more fair and equal place to live for everyone.

“The ongoing protests in America may feel thousands of miles away, but they are asking for the fundamental right to live, be safe and be free.

“These are the simple requests that we as a global community of people should have a right to expect.

“Manchester has always been a city that tries to unite our communities while celebrating our diversity.

“For this reason, Manchester will always stand in solidarity with those who feel they have no other choice other than to protest and fight for a more equal place in the world.”

Crime, News

Arsonist jailed for Wythenshawe Hall “mindless attack”

Jeremy TaylorA Baguley man who caused millions of pounds worth of damage to historic Wythenshawe Hall in an arson attack has been jailed.
Jeremy Taylor, aged 28, of Hall Lane, Baguley was sentenced today to four-and-half-years after setting fire to the Grade II list building last March

He previously pleaded guilty to arson.

The court heard how shortly before 3.30am on Tuesday 15 March 2016, Taylor used newspaper and matches to start five separate fires around the Tudor manor. Continue reading “Arsonist jailed for Wythenshawe Hall “mindless attack”” →

Community News, News

Fire crew who saved Wythenshawe Hall return as work steps up to restore historic building

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Pic: Mark Waugh

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.

Despite these efforts, the fire caused a large amount of damage to the roof and several key rooms at the hall, and smoke damage through large portions of the property. Continue reading “Fire crew who saved Wythenshawe Hall return as work steps up to restore historic building” →

Community News, News

New milestone in bid to restore Wythenshawe Hall to former glory

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Pic: twitter/@manchesterfire

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.”