OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Hello there,

I am researching my family history in the Accrington area and have found my ancestor HENRY BARNES living in OWL HALL in 1879, thereafter in the 1881 census it states the address as 30 ST. JAMES STREET. Are these addresses one and the same? Would anyone have a photograph of OWL HALL?

Similarly there is a family connection between JOSEPH BRIDGE and my JOSEPH BARNES....I am trying to determine if my BARNES family lived in ACCRINGTON HOUSE at one time. I believe my ELLEN ANN BARNES married JOSEPH BRIDGE in 1871.

If anyone can help with some information on these names and/or estates I would be extremely grateful. I live in Australia and am trying to piece together my BARNES families of Accrington.

With thanks,

Re-Owl Hall and Accrington House.
 

I was not brought up in Accrington, but I now live in one of the outlying areas.

As such, I will conceed to any Accy Poster who knows better, but I believe that

Owl Hall was / still is, near the top of Plantation Street whilst St. James Street

is in the center of town. Not the same address.

I have no photographs, but I have a signed, limited edition print of Owl Hall by

an artist called G. Ashworth.

I don't know anything about Ashworth, but it would seem that he was

interested in painting local buildings as I have another by him / her of The Old

Coach House, also in Accrington.

I have no means of scanning these prints, but if you are seriously interested,

please contact me directly and I will see if I can arrange something.

A.T.B. Cruisermik.

Accrington House
 

Hi Barnsie, glad you found the site then! There most certainly was a Barnes lived in Accrington House and I enclose a photo. I am led to believe that the gentleman on the photo is actually a Barnes! Truthfully! I will find some details and send on later today if poss.
Think the Joseph Bridge you mention COULD (not sure yet) be the famous Bridge's ironmongers we used to have here in Accrington

Atarah

I would assume that the Bridge pub is then named after the Bridge family, is that right atara?

OWL HALL etc.
 

Thanks very much for your reply A.T.B.
I am genuinely very interested in Owl Hall as my HENRY BARNES lived there in 1879. This address is given on his brother's Will. Family also I know lived in the Plantation Hill area, some census docs. give more complete addresses than others. But by 1881 census Henry's address is St. James Street. He was a wealthy calico print works owner. His businesses included one dyeworks called Turkey Red Dyeworks in Baxenden and another, Green Vale in Westhoughton.
The surname of the artist Ashworth is also interesting as although it was a popular surname in the Accrington area I believe, it belonged to HENRY BARNES's maternal Grandmother, SUSAN ASHWORTH, wife of Robert Birtwistle of Accrington. I wonder if there could be a connection there too.

Anyway, my intentions are serious as I would dearly love to find a copy of Owl Hall to help add padding to my researching.

With thanks,

Thanks very much Atarah.

Looking forward to hearing from you again.

Barnsie.

Accrington House
 

Hi, there was a Jonathan Barnes lived in Accrington House. A branch of the family also lived in the Daisy Hill area of town, i.e. near Oak Hill Park area, Manchester Road. An old book on Accrington mentions "an old tradesmans diary which mentioned Jonathan Barnes mowing grass in the meadows behind Abbey Street". It was from him that Barnes Street takes its name!

I think, Janet, that the Bridge Pub could be called such cos of the culverting of the river underneath it. A few years back (about 7/8 at a guess) they were repairing the road, and the arch of the bridge came into view.

Atarah

Hi back, Jonathan Barnes, Printer of Daisy Hill, married to Isabella,was the grandfather of Sanderson Barnes who is buried with my lot at St. James Altham, but I can't find out why? He may have been a brother to my Henry Joseph Barnes, blacksmith, as they appear to have been about the same period, but........who knows.....again which Jonathan? Does it indicate how old he was Atarah? I have 4 all 19th century.....

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Hy Barnsie.
Please contact me at :-
[email protected]
I have the print of Owl Hall scanned and want to mail it to you direct so I need your e-mail address.
Same to you Atarah, if you want to check if this print is the same as the one you have.
Cheers
Cruisermik.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

"Lang Bridge (died Manchester on August 20, 1884, aged 67) an Accrington cotton manufacturer, lived in a portion of Accrington House, the other part being occupied by his Business partner, Barnes"
http://www.lancshalls.co.uk/hyndburnhalls.htm

Could this not be who the Bridge Inn is named after?

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

I seem to remember Atarah once mentioning to me that there were two local men with the name Lang Bridge. One of them was the brother of Joseph who eventually had the Ironmongers at "Bridge`s Corner" while Lang went on to found the Engineering Works, originally in Paradise St and then in Exchange St -- hence the name Paradise Works. This Lang died 1889 aged 52. With a name like that the two Langs must surely have been related. There is a mention in Atarah`s "Accrington Uncovered" Site in the Men of Mark Section.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

I have a photo of Owl Hall somewhere but it looks like you've got at least one by now. I used to love this house when I was a child and always wanted to live there.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Hi Barnsie, have just, accidentally (as you do!) come across a Feb 1975 newspaper cutting. Its an article about the late MISS MARY WADDINGTON BARNES, of Avenue Parade, Accrington. Their was an auction at this property c1972 which attracted antique dealers nationwide! Miss Barnes was the daughter of Mr James Alfred Barnes, who lived in Accrington House in the 1870's. This house stood near Mansion Street (hence the reason for its naming) in the area at the top of Avenue Parade. Mr Barnes was Manager of Union Mill which stood on the site now occupied by Marks and Spencers. The mill ws owned by his brother-in-law, Mr Robert Cunliffe, founder of the Robert Cunliffe Orchestra. Miss Barnes died aged 86, but her house on Avenue Parade had not been lived in for approx. 3 years. Judging from the beautiful silverware, tableware andn paintings which were, presumably passed down from her family, life at Accrington House must have been quite comfy.
Maybe she was a direct descendant of you?

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

No
The Bridge in was named after a real bridge.
At the bottom of Black Abbey St, Oak St & Warner St there are two rivers converging.
Warmden Brook & Woodnook Water, after they join it becomes the river Hyndburn.
Before 1841. these three rivers were crossed by foot bridges. By 1861 they had been culverted, Cross St was the last bit finished.

I have actually walked from Paradise St end, all the way under the town center & came out at Bull Bridge.

Walter

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

That walk must have been some journey Walter!! Very interesting as it must have been quite dark under there. Fascinating!

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

What a fabulous thread, really interesting.

Bert, it's time to return, you can add so much to threads like this.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Aye' Owl Hall was a mysterious place when we were kids.We used climb on the roof - and one time we looked through the sky light and there was a really old lady there, next thing there was about 6 police vehicles roaring up Ardenhall Lane....But I don't know what the lady was called?She died soon afterwards.

There used to be an old Beech Tree out the front and you could see a couple of Tawny Owls sitting in it, they were there most of the time.

Pity when I was up in Accy in 2002 somebody had bulldozed right through the front from the lane,all the trees were trashed and the place looked like a tip!!! WHO EVER LET THAT HAPPEN SHOULD BE SHOT!!! Like the Council or the Green Party!

Can anyone tell me the state of the place now?Anyone got any photos of it now? I just can't understand why they trashed it?

Cheers,

Kestrel x.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Here is an aerial photo, best I can do for now.

According to Michael Rothwell in 'Industrial Heritage;A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Accrington,' 1979. Owl Hall was formerly the coachman's house attached to Plantation Hall and was later the residence of the Grimshaw family.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Were you able to walk upright all the way and were you wading in water? I'm not sure I envy you the opportunity but as Darby says it was probably fascinating.

(oops that's a bit out of context! lol)

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

That is a big house for a coachman? So where was Plantation hall?
I take it long demolished!And what about Ardenhall what was that!

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

I have found it on the map. It is at the top end of Plantation Street where the cobbles end and on the right side of the road as you look uphill. I have included an aerial photo with the map superimposed.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

I am including two photos of Arden Hall, or what remains of it. it was demolished just after WWII.

Stay tuned, I will be including pics of Owl Hall and the remains of Plantation House as I get them.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Acrylic Bob Thanks for the pics.Those two locations are very familiar.The "Ardenhall" that is there still must be the coach house and probably in the old days was around the back of Ardenhall.

Accrington House
 

Hi there, have just found a copy of a "funeral card" which says

In affectional remmbrance of
WILLIAM BARNES (Of Accrington)
who departed into the spiritual world on Friday
Oct 7th 1864 aged 48 years and his remains
were this day interred in the Accrington Cemetery

Accrington House Oct 10th 1864 and ...... just realised, this chappie WAS THE VERY FIRST PERSON TO BE BURIED IN ACC. CEMETERY!!! It says so in a book I have!

Hope this is good news for you

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Sounds interesting Atarah, can we have a scan please?

Accrington House
 

Here it is

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Thanks Atarah, what handsome script. A great pity that we can no longer be bothered to make the effort to remember our dead in the same manner anymore.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Three Photos From The Plantation / Arden Hall Area

1. Arden Hall
2. Plantation House
3. Plantation Mill

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Thanks b-sound. It's great to see what those places looked like.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Great pics thanks - B-sound.But I can't really fit that last one of Plantation Mill into my mental map of that area? The Ardenhall Coach House that exists now is inhabited by one bloke who used to be in the 4 pennies,can't recall is name,Anthony is his christian name, I think?

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

As far as I recall The Four Pennies were Lionel Morton, Fritz Fryer, Mike Wilsher and Alan Buck. I had no idea any of them lived in Accy now.

Arden Hall.
 

Just looking again at the photo of Arden Hall - this is where Benjamin Hargreaves lived. He was a well respected member of the Hargreaves family from Broad Oak and he is commemorated in the Benjamin Hargreaves Memorial School. He had the house built c1846 and it was demolished 1948. He was a dog lover by all accounts, and many of them were buried in the grounds of the house - some names were Daphne, Louis, Rino, Our Loo, Loo-loo, Bianco and Motty. Arrgh!

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Funny name for a dog, "arrgh", why did he call it that I wonder?

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

I think this guy Anthony was in them before they made it big, he had the chance to stay with them but left coz he didn't want fame,also he loved Falconry,well that is the story at least!

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

By the way anyone know why they knocked Ardenhall House down?100 years ain't much for a house to stay up,maybe it had structural faults or some'at?

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

I don't understand the falconry connection - I mean why it prevented him from being in the group (unless it meant he didn't have enough time)

It doesn't seem very long for the house to have stood does it? Especially considering nothing was ever built in its place. Did it stand empty and derelict before it was demolished? I'm thinking of Cliffe House now because if something isn't done with that soon demolition will be all it's fit for.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

I learned last week that Cliffe House has been bought by persons of a foreign persuasion. Nobody I spoke to seems to know what they intend to do with it though.

There seems to have been a lot of demolition just after the second world war, quite a lot of the large houses in the area were demolished. Perhaps it has something to do with the increase in inheritance tax and Death Duties. Though I can see no reason for the demolition of houses such as Rhyddings Hall.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

I never knew about those two houses till i came here at Accy Web and had forgotten that Ardenhall house is still standing was only the Coach House...I think the ruins of one of those houses was up near the fishing lodges as always wondered what the stone foundations were there.So I have learnt something from coming here lol...

Well Willow I think that Falconry takes a lot of time an patience and you have to look after and fly your birds every day etc so the guy chose this over being in the 4pennies I think.

Don't know Cliffe house where is it?

Wasn't that house in Oak Hill Park for sale for a couple of pounds in the 80's,so cheap coz it was so rundown?

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Cliffe House is in Willows Lane opposite Willow Mount Club. Currently looking very deserted and bedraggled.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

I have heard that it will become a Muslim Learning center...complete with firing range, and bomb making cellar!!

Or a Muslim School!! Rumours are probably right! :engsmil:

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Well let's hope it won't be long before all the rubble and filth is cleared away. It must be a haven for rats.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Don't know Cliffe house!

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Are there any marble or antique fire places in there?

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

I haven't a clue.

Maybe you could ask whoever has bought it - haven't seen any signs outside but earlier in this thread Darby said he'd heard it was to become a muslim learning centre.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

I think the place has been used, abused, vandalised and set fire to since it was last occupied as a nursing home but maybe there are some original features remaining. I can't remember now when we worked out the date it was built but I think it was early 1900s

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

When I think back, didn't it use to be the vicarage for St. Peters Church?

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

The old vicarage is sort of next door but round the corner in Perth Street, but we did wonder why it wasn't built until some years after the church.

Accrington House
 

Hard to believe this fine building was once in Accrington, eh?
So, anyone in the area of Oswald Street, Bold Street, Mansion Street etc., ... THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE BUILT ON!!!!
The house, built in 1800, was one of the largest houses in the area. It was demolished in 1889 (shame!) to make way for houses for the growing population - many factories of course springing up in the area.

Accrington House stood diagonally across the top of Oswald Street and Clarendon Street

I wonder if anyone in this area has any ghosties?

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

It never ceases to amaze me how much history we've lost. Why on earth couldn't some of these fine old buildings have been preserved?

The "demolish it all" mentality seems to continue to this day.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

It also boggles the mind to think how much money there used to be in the town. Can you imagine how rich you had to be to build houses like this? Of course, I think a lot of the owners retired to places like Southport and took their money with them. Probably that is why Southport is such a, comparetively, affluent area.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Or Lytham-St-Annes. That was another place they used to retire to wasn't it?

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

I'm sure you're right Willow. Blackpool probably featured quite heavily also.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Yeh it is hard to believe that there were so many big houses in that area - am I right in saying that there were 3;Accrington House,Plantation House and Ardenhall House!:confused:

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Atarah and I had an expedition to find the remains of Plantation House yesterday. The site is now heavily wooded and so it is a bit difficult to make out just how much is left. There is the remains of a drive leading to two fallen gate posts and an overgrown mound of building rubble together wiith what appears to be a rear yard with an embankment wall and the remains of some outbuildings.

There really isn't much else to be seen. As you can see from the pics, the area is really overgrown.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Those pictures of the hollow bricks are familiar that is over by the lodges isn't it?The one that is now on it'self and totally over grown!
Plantation Mill I take it was some outhouse of that place?

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

>>Those pictures of the hollow bricks are familiar that is over by the lodges isn't it?<<

Errrm, no. :confused: They are on the site of Plantation House. The overgrown lodge is much further up.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Solve a Mystery? - for years I put to rest a mystery and only since talking with you folks about these old houses has that mystery resurfaced...back in the 70's used to fish for trout over various streams and reservoirs around the area.Warmden being one res(now drained) one day on the way back with out a catch on that particular day,walked over that hill and field that leads down to those trees between Owl Hall and Plantation Mill.I don't now if you have noticed there are two small ponds in the field near a wall.They are tiny like 20 feet by 10 feet approx.One which is surrounded by a metal fence and has brick sides.


Anyway I hadn't caught anything on this day but stopped at that brick pond and just got the idea to drop a worm in.Almost straight away a fair big trout grabbed my bait and within minutues was landed.It was just under a pound.Anyway I bagged it and tried again but nothing.

I think it was the next day came back with a few other lads and we caught two really big trout,I think we caught one more and then nothing else ever from that pond.

I don't know if it's still there but it seems a mystery to me how those trout got into that pond as there was no inlet stream?Any trout in Accrington streams came from the Reservoirs were they were stocked up by fishing clubs.

Now it has occured to me reading your posts that this pond could have been a stock pond for Plantation House and the few fish we caught were left overs from the day when the house was still there and a fish supply required?Can anyone shed some light on this matter?Cheers.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Hi All,

Would anyone have a copy of the Will of William Barnes of Accrington House who died 1864?
I am trying to determine if he was of our Barnes lot and there is presently an 8 week wait for the purchase of same.

Thanks.....:)

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Hi Darby

Not visited Accy Web for some time.

Wasn't dark at all we were all carrying lamps and a short ladder, under the market there is a drop of about eight feet. We did it several times. Part of fire brigade training.

Walter.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

I actually know a girl who lives at Owl Hall, if you walk to the top of Plantation Street to Arden Hall follow the small path on the right side and you'll reach Owl Hall, big big house, nice girl she is too lives with her family.

peace

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

HI I USED TO LIVE AT OWL HALL WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND HAVE SOME PHOTOS I CAN GET COPIED FOR YOU

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Hi I Used To Live At Owl Hall When I Was Younger And Have Some Photos I Can Get Copied For You

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Just to clear a point up where is Owl Hall located?

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Top of Plantation Street, Up the Coble Path, the house to the right that has had its wall knocked down and a drive leading up to it.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Got you now I think it is some sort of care home now, I remember my friend doing a buffet the other crimbo and delivering it up there:)

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Here's a picture of Owl Hall

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...et/OwlHall.jpg

http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/o...nt=OwlHall.jpgErnie




http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/o...nt=OwlHall.jpg

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Think its empty at the moment. not sure though.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Yes I know where it is now Thanks:)

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

It looks nothing like that now.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Your right there.

I had a look, walk past tonight, it apears someone lives there as they asked me to leave in the form of a nice bang on the window and some sign language.:D

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

From what I've heard you where lucky to get off the land alive.:(

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Yeah, it was once raided(early nineties) for being a drugs factory...

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

How do you mean?

No Private Sign.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Unfortunately tonight the hall was partially destroyed by fire. I was there with my camera, Couldn't get anywhere near from the front, so we went through the fields at the back and climbed over the walls.

Owl Hall destroyed by fire on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Owl Hall destroyed by fire on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Owl Hall destroyed by fire on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

It's really sad that the house has been destroyed, I'll return either tomorrow or sunday to get some shots of the damage in the day.

Whereabouts is that "cliffe house" looks and is it still empty? looks the perfect location for some photography! :)

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Cliffe house is half way up willows lane, just before the road bears to the left, on your left hand side.

Damm shame about owl hall, did you see suite pete of accy market in the observer? he's gone places in the last few years...good luck to him!

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Hi, I have recently done a survey on Owl Hall for a developer. I'm afraid to say that the Hall was seriously damaged by fire not long after. I havephoto's of the hall as it was just before the fire and a couple just after if they are of interest to you.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Yes i certainly am :)

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Was it an insurance job? So they could knock the house down and build a block of flats?

As I no longer live in Accrington I was shocked about 5 years ago to see a bulldozed track through all the trees at Owl Hall, trees ripped apart everywhere and a great big trench through the bank! It looked a real mess! Accrington Council should be ashamed that they let this happen! From someone who hadn't been to the sight for several years it had become and eyesore!:hidewall:

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

I know this post is very old but my family lived in Cliffe House and moved to Arden Hall this was the Bury family Arthur Bury is my great great great grandad.
Many thanks

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Does anyone know about the woodland adjacent to Arden Hall? In particular I am interested in finding out about the period in which it was first planted or allowed to seed. I have a photocopy of a map from 1848 that shows that only fields were present at that time and does not even show Arden hall.. A map from 1893 shows the woodland and the hall.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

I used to take part in Falconry with the man who lived at Ardenhall (Anthony) and if it's the area I think you mean it was planted in the late 70's as it used to be grassland then saplings were planted - if you mean somewhere else I don't know.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Its the area where you walk through the gate off plantation st. Some of the trees at the far side (just behind the hall) could not have been planted in the 70's because they are over 3m in girth.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

It used to be the Doctors office when I was a kid. The Doctor was Chesney. A real battle ax of a woman.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Cliffe House that is.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Hi,
I found you info. interesting regarding the Bury family. My g aunt Bertha Jackson married Arthur Bury in 1912 at Burnley. Bertha lived at Accrington, her father was John Edward Jackson. Arthur and Bertha had a daughter I believe called Noreen?, she went to finishing school in Switzerland. I would be grateful for any information,
Regards Jan

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Can I ask a naive question is or was Accrington House at the top of sandy lane
thanks
Tony

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

At the top of Sandy Lane is Blue Slates Cottages.
Now if you mean the residential part of Sandy Lane, Barnfield area, there is a Broad Oak House.
Accrington House was 1/2 mile away, near Peel Park.
Retlaw.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

ACCRINGTON HOUSE was built by the first Jonathan Peel c1800 and demolished in 1889, when rows and rows of terraced properties were just springing up in our town. The house itself was situated on what is now OSWALD STREET and the grounds now built on by such streets as ...Washington, Bold, Cedar, Stanley and Avenue Parade. In its time, it was reputedly the largest and finest house in the district.

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Thank you all once again
Tony

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Hi Kestrel,

I have just discovered your post. Lovely memory about Owl Hall. The lady you refer to was very likely the last of the Grimshaws that lived there and her name was Ivy. She was about 80 when she died in the hall in 1973. If you have an email address I can send you some clippings about Owl Hall. As I have just posted, I am currently working on a video with a local historian about Plantation Road and the properties in that area. You'll be pleased to learn the place hasd just been bought by someone from Haslingden who is having it restored to its former glory. Grerat news.

Lovin these posts about the area. Excellent. Thankyou everyone.

Owl hall
 

Is the new owner the gentleman who bought Stonefold Church and turned it into a house? Have recently heard that Planning Permission has been granted. I wonder what for? Would be interesting to know. You know Katex?
Hope the old cobbled road isnt touched in any way. This of course was the road which many clogs would have clattered down, on their way to work at Plantation Mill, the printworks.

Re: Owl hall
 

No he was the guy who has just sold it having struggled to get planning for what he wanted to do with it, and i think he may have gone bust.:(

Re: Owl hall
 

Havn't seen anything recently, Atarah. Maybe the new owner will carry on with the plans that were granted for the previous one ?

Pleased that it has been bought again though. The other owner seemed to have lots of controversial problems.

Re: Owl hall
 

There's some work going on up there now Kate. Who the owner is now I'm not sure. Assume they're working to the original plans as you say. I'll have to make some enquires

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Wonder if they will put the wall back like it was before.

IIRC 20+ yrs ago there where peacocks roaming the grounds?

Re: OWL HALL and ACCRINGTON HOUSE
 

Last time I saw it was 2002, it was an eyesore - the council should be ashamed for allowing them to destroy all the trees and bulldoze a mess from Ardenhall Lane to the house, through the wall. I wonder if they have put that back to what it was previously?