Stockport Council has secured approximately £1.6 million in funding to help fix the roof of Bramall Hall, one of Stockport and Greater Manchester’s most historic buildings.
The iconic Tudor hall and old vestige of Stopfordian village’s Cheshire roots has been described as a national treasure and attracts over 36,000 visitors every year.
However, the condition of the Grade I-listed structure and its roof in particular has been gradually worsening over the years and the Council warned it would be left at “urgent risk” if repairs were not made soon.
With that in mind, local authorities have acquired sufficient funds through the Arts Council England’s Museum Estates and Development (MEND) fund, making it one of 70 museums and libraries across the country set to benefit from £33m through the government’s wider Cultural Investment project.
Dating as far back as the Middle Ages before being rebuilt in the 16th, the regular tourist destination for Bramhall locals is SK residents it’s just one of the oldest buildings you’ll find in the town but anywhere in Greater Manchester.
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Sitting as the crown jewel atop the picturesque Bramhall Park and having been used as a filming location for various TV shows and films over the years, not to mention hosting school trips and tours for decades, it has also played a key role in local culture.
All that being said, beyond maintenance and the money going directly towards fixing the roof, the MEND funding will also go towards “preserving invaluable historic objects and architectural features, such as internationally significant Tudor paintings, a rare surviving example of an Elizabethan pendant plaster ceiling and the work of arts and crafts architect George Faulkner Armitage.”
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As per an official statement from the council, work is slated to start this winter and is expected to take up to two years to complete, but the Hall will be kept open around renovation works as Stockport Museums look to build a new programme of special events and activities.
Councillor Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “Stockport Council is proud to own, operate, and care for Bramall Hall. Not only is it a jewel in Stockport’s crown, but it’s also a national treasure, and we must preserve this first-class historic house and its enviable collections for generations to come.
“It is great news that we have been awarded this funding, which will support us in doing this.”
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He went on to add, “It’s fitting that this major renovation work is announced during Stockport’s year as Town of Culture, showcasing our amazing facility to people yet to visit or who want to re-discover it.
“The Hall and Stockport museums are keen to get people actively engaged with the renovation works, feeding into this year’s cultural programme celebrating Stockport’s people, places and stories.”
Featured Images — Gary Bealr (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Met Office gives verdict on how Storm Boelo aftermath will affect Greater Manchester this week
Emily Sergeant
Storm Boelo is finally on his way out, and now the Met Office has given its verdict on what we can expect from the rest of the week.
In the aftermath of two successive storms, Storm Austen followed by Storm Boelo – the latter of which affected Greater Manchester – the UK is now able to begin recovering from the effects of the adverse weather.
But the Met Office has warned that, although there is no named storm, strong winds and heavy rain will continue to affect parts of the UK early this week, before high pressure brings calmer conditions.
Yellow national severe weather warnings are in place for parts of Scotland and western areas of the UK today (Tuesday 27 October), including areas of the North West, as gales and spells of rain bring the potential for ongoing disruption around the region, particularly on exposed coasts and higher ground.
“The continued winds could hamper recovery efforts in some places,” forecasters also unfortunately confirmed.
⚠️ Strong winds and heavy rain continue across parts of the UK early this week with a yellow weather warning in place, before high pressure brings calmer conditions for many from Wednesday ⛅
Read our news release to find out more 👇
https://t.co/EQU4vvaA3B https://t.co/hpvTd8v7EZ
As rest of the week pans out though, conditions will begin to settle down and showers are expected to become ‘less frequent’, while winds also ease for most, although gales could continue for a time in the far north.
Thursday is expected be ‘largely dry’ with lighter winds and variable cloud, with a touch of mist and fog likely across parts of England and Wales during the morning.
From Friday and into the weekend, light rain will team up to potentially affect northwestern areas of England, but for the most part, temperatures are expected to remain close to, or slightly above, average for the time of year.
“From Wednesday, high pressure will start to build which will ease the winds and bring a quieter and largely drier end to the week for many, although some rain is still possible in the North and West,” explained Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Steven Keates.
“However, with wind warnings in place, those in warnings areas, particularly in northern Scotland and western high ground, continue to be exposed to strong winds and heavy rain before the more settled weather arrives.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Popular pumpkin patch attraction describes ‘catastrophic’ impact of Storm Boelo
Daisy Jackson
Bates Farm, one of the most popular pumpkin patch attractions in the North West, has shared its heartbreak after Storm Boelo forced its closure on the busiest day of the season.
The Warrington-based family farm said the financial impact has been ‘honestly catastrophic’, after they had to cancel all tickets for Sunday.
Sisters Ali and Fiona Wilshaw, who run the farm, said it was simply not safe to allow members of the public onto the farm in the storm, with ‘crazy’ gusts of wind.
They later shared a video that showed their marquee was badly damaged and many footpaths turned to deep mud.
The sisters said they were ‘heartbroken’ to have to close at such a busy time, but stressed to followers that ‘your safety and our integrity will always come first’.
On Saturday, as Storm Austen and Storm Boelo chased each other across the UK, several people shared videos of themselves getting battered by the weather at Bates Farm.
And it’s pretty clear from that why Ali and Fi decided to cancel all tickets and close for the day on Sunday.
They wrote: “We have put in so much love, energy and investment putting on this event at this scale. The cost to cancel and refund everyone today on our busiest day of the season is honestly catastrophic, but business aside, your safety and our integrity will always come first.
“To think last night we were running round Tesco trying to stock up on milk and now we are in the depths of recovering the site to go again tomorrow. All emails and enquiries are being responded to as quickly as possible and we are doing our best to open up more available slots next week.
“We are being tested like never before, but pulling together in true force. Huge shout out to the whole team and Farmer Fi the absolute queen in any crisis.
“Thank you all for your patience and especially thank you to those who have sent such kind words and support, we are so grateful to have customers like you.
“We will be back tomorrow to enjoy the remaining of this tough season, we are putting in so many provisions with wood chip paths, undercover seating and an indoor barn to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Ali & Fi.”
Anyone who had tickets to visit Bates Farm on Sunday will be refunded, and can book in for another date.
Bates Farm has safely reopened its autumnal experience and pumpkin patch today.
Danny Jones -
26th March 2024 
