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Thundercliffe Grange A brisk walk of about 25 minutes across the municipal golf course just up the road (Pictures 1 and 2) takes you to Thundercliffe Grange (Picture 3 and the aerial picture 4 which I did not take) and a further 35 minutes through the woods taking in part of the trans Pennine trail, completes a circular walk of about three and a half miles which just fits in the recommended maximum of one hour of exercise due to COVID restrictions.(Pictures 5 - 8 ) Thundercliffe Grange has a history which stretches back to the Middle Ages when it was a grange of Kirkstead Abbey and the monks carried out iron working on the site. In Jacobean times the Earl of Effingham built a country house on the grounds (recently excavated by the local Archeaological society) but this was demolished and the present house was built in 1777 for the third Earl. The house became a hospital for 'mentally invalid ladies' in late Victorian times and a home for mentally handicapped after WW2, taking in Thalidomide in the 1960's and finally closing in 1979. The house was converted into a 'Co-Housing' development, rare in the UK, when it was bought by a group of friends in 1980. Originally the group of 6 -8 families were planning to buy a row of cottages or a large vicarage but the purchase of such a large house meant their plans had to be scaled up by a considerable measure. Thundercliffe Grange is an unusual scheme.which gives the benefits of co-operative ownership but safeguards the individual's property rights. The scheme is structured so that residents own the overall building and grounds collectively, but the flats are owned individually. There are twelve self-contained dwellings of various sizes and configurations spread between the main house and wings and a separate annexe. The rooms in the ground floor of the main house have been retained for the use of all residents. Two members of one of the choirs in which I sing are among the co-owners of the Grange and we are fortunate enough to be able to hold our Christmas parties in the magnificent surroundings of the communal rooms on the ground floor. Pictures (9 and 10)           |
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I hope people enjoy the History
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Beautiful photographs Bondjam. There is a lot of history. It is a beautiful place to have a party and with all of it's history. Great blog!
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Interesting history. Amazing that it has been preserved and updated throughout the centuries and is now such beautiful accommodations, but still retains the look on the outside. Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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1/27/2021 6:16 pm |
I can't understand how the staircase is supported unless each step has large timbers underneath going through the wall equal length anchored on the opposite side but then it would mess up the other room. It could be done with welded steel but then it would not be dated. Very interesting. Spectacular craftmanship. I Like LOL I collect French and English antique hand carved furniture. I enjoy the wonder of looking at things and thinking how they were made. Plus the history of who owned the item. You are fortunate to go there.
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Lovely pictures and very interesting history bondjam.You are blessed to be able to attend functions in such an historical and beautiful setting. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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1/28/2021 2:36 am |
Teacher if that was an attempt to talk down to me you are in error. I am way ahead of you. Go read a few more books and being Sax? May we just leave it at that. Sorry Bond I just had to do it. LOL I would like to see a picture of the wall and ceiling of the opposing room. Party On!
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I can't understand how the staircase is supported unless each step has large timbers underneath going through the wall equal length anchored on the opposite side but then it would mess up the other room. It could be done with welded steel but then it would not be dated. Very interesting. Spectacular craftmanship. I Like LOL I collect French and English antique hand carved furniture. I enjoy the wonder of looking at things and thinking how they were made. Plus the history of who owned the item. You are fortunate to go there.
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This is once again a very nice blog that gives an insight into the location where you live and the history of the Thundercliffe Grange. There is so much ancient history in the UK and all over Europe that has to be preserved and kept in memory for future generations. When I visited England several times years ago, I saw Stonehenge, spent some time in Tintagel, walked around in Bath, named after its Roman-built baths..... Each time I felt like walking in the shoes of those people who had lived there times long past...... Thanks for adding the great pictures,  Happiness is when what you think, what you say, what you do are in harmony - M. Gandhi
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