Update on plans to restore Bolton’s historic halls to their former glory

At risk Hall i’th’ Wood and Rock Hall in Moses Gate Country Park reflect Bolton’s rich industrial past and now plans are underway to reopen both to the public.

The campaign to save Rock Hall in Moses Gate Country Park is set to enter a vital new phase with a bid being drawn up, while funding through Historic England has been secured for Hall i’th’ Wood for its restoration programme.

Rock Hall was built in 1807 by the Crompton family of paper-makers.

TB Crompton was a pioneer and developed a unique paper drying process, which he patented.

Read more: Open-air museum seeks ‘witch posts’ across Bolton

Read more: Rock Hall in Moses Gate Country Park set to reopen soon

The changing face of Hall i’ th’ Wood through the years

The rise and fall of Rock Hall

Rock Hall closed to visitors in 2014 but Bolton Council, working with the charity Banana Enterprise Network, has secured funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the development phase of the project.

This contributed more than £450k towards the emergency repair work needed to stabilise the condition of the building and prevent it from deteriorating any further, as well as funding community activities. It also enabled the hall to be partially open.

Read more: Rock Hall to be partially closed for repairs with 2 rooms to stay open

 

Hall i’th’ Wood, the grade-one listed structureWith the partnership  due to end in March, the council says it will now move forward with developing the bid for the delivery stage of the restoration.

This is the most significant phase in the £4m project, as the Grade II listed building is brought back into full use by the local community.

Bolton Council spokesperson said: “We would like to thank everyone involved at Banana Enterprise Network for their passion and enthusiasm for this project.

“Our joint bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund was the key to unlocking the funding we needed to bring this much-loved historic building back to life.

“We are now looking forward to the delivery phase of the project and to an exciting future for Rock Hall.”

As one of only 48 Grade I listed buildings in Greater Manchester, Hall i’th’ Wood represents a rare and valuable example of Tudor architecture.

The building which dates back to the 1500s closed to the public in 2021 because of structural issues.

It is best known for the place where Samuel Crompton invented the spinning mule, when he lived there.

Today it faces challenges such as decay and vandalism.

The hall will reopen in the summer for a short while for members of the public to have their say on plans being drawn up for it.

Bolton Council and Historic England are joining forces to restore the building and improve its energy efficiency, reducing operational costs and carbon emissions, once surveying has been completed.

Historic England has pledged more than £47,000 towards Bolton Council’s £95,000 for survey work to help restore it for the community.

All of the artefacts from the hall are safe and in museum storage with the hall being opened up in the summer for the public to consult on future plans.

Source – INDIA TV