|
I had never been aware of the existence of Lytham Hall before the visit by the Association
was arranged for the 5th March. This has to be one of the best kept secrets of Lancashire
because, despite its present condition, it is one of the most beautiful Georgian buildings
I’ve seen. I hasten to add that while it is in need of some restoration it is not a ruin
by any stretch of the imagination; indeed it is often used as a venue for wedding receptions
and similar events requiring an attractive backdrop for such occasions.
The entrance gateway does not shout at you as it has, unfortunately, been surrounded by housing
development. But once you pass through it you are almost immediately in a different world of
space and, yes, elegance. The drive winds attractively through woodland which eventually opens
out to reveal the Hall itself. The impact of that view is considerable and almost shocking
if you are not expecting it.
Approaching View of the Hall
The Hall is a grade 1 listed building and was designed by John Carr of York for Thomas Clifton in
the 1750s. It was added to the remains of the previous Jacobean house which was adapted for use as
servants quarters and is still there today. Beneath the Jacobean house lies the 12th century
Lytham Priory.
The Clifton family owned it until the early 1960s. By then however much of their wealth had been
squandered and the one remaining inhabitant, Clarice Clifton was occupying what amounted to an
apartment in one small part of the building. The last Clifton to inherit, Harry, sold off all he
could but died in Brighton with little to his name.
Sold then to an insurance company, Guardian Royal Exchange, the Hall was used as its offices for
30 years. Although keeping the fabric in reasonable repair they gave the architecture and gardens
no particular sympathy, for instance removing an entire formal garden and tarmacking it over as
a car park.
In 1996 the house was put on the open market for sale and the agricultural land auctioned separately.
A remarkable campaign was launched by local residents, Lytham Town Trust and the Friends of
Lytham Hall and supported by many voluntary organisations, with very little time to act, to gather
funds together to buy the Hall for the community. They were exceptionally successful in
this and, aided by British Aerospace (Bae Systems) which made a generous donation of £1 million
to purchase it from Guardian, achieved their objective in 1997.
It is owned therefore by Lytham Town Trust but operated by The Heritage Trust for the North West.
It has since been run as a charitable trust slowly but surely raising the profile of the Hall as
a potential visitor attraction and, as stated above, as a venue for wedding parties and
conferences.
They have now embarked upon another drive to raise money, this time to achieve a level of renovation
intended to bring the interior of the house back to its former glory, not that it is exactly a ruin
as the accompanying photographs show.
Ceiling over the grand staircase
NWActs has agreed that in 2011-12 we would support this initiative, with the intention of taking
on a similar role with regard to buildings at risk in other areas of the North West over
subsequent years.
We hope that societies will feel this is a worthwhile approach to the protection of our heritage
and will be prepared to raise or donate money for this cause. This will help to raise the profile
of our shared interest in the built environment and by working together we can make an impact on
the preservation of properties we would like everyone to enjoy.
Please send your donation to our Treasurer, Brian Gilbert, 434 Holcombe Road, Helmshore,
Rossendale, BB4 4LX, marked for the appeal for Lytham Hall.
The very latest news is that Heritage Lottery Fund has now awarded £2.4 million to help in the
restoration of the Hall and the grounds.
Iain Spencer Gerrard
Secretary
|
