Restoration needed for old halls

Photo: Courtesy of retired professional photographer Margaret Curry

Tonge Hall, Middleton. The surviving remnants of this late 16th century hall

Two of Middleton’s most historic buildings both appear on Britain’s most ‘at risk’ buildings list. Tonge Hall and Hopwood Old Hall both appear on the list comprised by English Heritage.

The two buildings have suffered years of neglect but now, Rochdale Council, who own both buildings plan to carry out emergency work to restore them.

Tudor Tonge Hall was bought by the council in 2010 after the death of its last owner. The building dates back to 1584.

A spokesman for Rochdale Council said: “A programme of stabilisation works are continuing at the 16th Century Tonge Hall, following the transfer of ownership from a private owner to Rochdale Council in early 2013. The focus of the work is on the timber frame of the eastern most gable. This is the oldest part of the Hall and it has suffered fire and water damage.”

“The emergency work is funded by the Council and English Heritage and is due for completion in the Autumn. The Council is actively exploring options that will enable the Hall to be fully restored and brought back into use.”

Lee Wolf from Middleton Archelogical Society has been working on the site of Tonge Hall said: “The Hall definitely needs restoring. The old Tonge Hall was originally built on the site of the meadow but we have found three different phases of building work, suggesting that the Tonge Hall that stands there now is a newer building.”

Hopwood Hall College are also in talks with the Council to save Hopwood Old Hall. The building is located on the grounds of the colleges Middleton campus off Rochdale Road.
Hopwood Old Hall dates back to 1700 and was last used as a training college in the 1980s.

“The Council is also working to secure the future of Middleton’s historic Hopwood Hall. The Hall, which although largely of the 17th and 18th Century, incorporates parts of an earlier timber hall. The Council and Hopwood Hall College are exploring funding opportunities which will restore it to its former glory and allow the building to return to public use” said the Council Spokesman.

Audrey Riches from Middleton Civic Association said: “There is not a lot being done at the moment. I know Hopwood Hall have had a new roof and secure fencing. It is full of dry rot and if you make the house waterproof and leave it to dry, the dry rot should disappear but there is no money to do that.”

“I don’t think it will happen anytime soon. They need to get the money together.”