#Amazing Accrington - Winter 2017

has found its former glory CHURCHFIELD HOUSE

This iconic building is ready to serve the community again, a local hub, with everything from yoga classes and tea room to wedding celebrations

At the top of Church Street, nestled within carefully laid out gardens, stands Churchfield House, majestically looking out over the town. Affectionately named ‘Great Harwood’s Own Lile Stately Home’ it was built in 1852 by surgeon, Henry Ainsworth Grime. In 1857 Henry sold the house to a man named Joseph Haydock. Joseph spent all of his adult life serving the people of the town, alongside being an active member of the Local Board of Health for over 20 years. Aer his death in 1885, aged 69, Churchfield House passed into the hands of Milton, his youngest son. Milton, like his father before him, devoted his life to improving the living conditions of the people within Great Harwood. When the baton of the Local Board passed on to the newly formed Urban District Council, Milton was one of the men elected onto the council. He continued to serve the town up until his death in 1926 at the age of 77. Milton’s care and concern for the people of the town he loved did not end with his death. In his will wrien just a few years earlier, aer several personal bequests and legacies, he had strict instructions for his executors. ‘His wife could continue to reside at the house during her lifetime if she wished to do so, as long as she continued his widow’. Then on her death or if she choose to leave the property, with the exception of her personal things, the house and all the contents were to be passed onto the Urban District Council in trust for the ‘use and enjoyment of the people of Great Harwood.’ Milton’s real and personal estate was to be sold and aer all debts paid the money was to be invested and the annual income used to pay all outgoings in respect of Churchfield House. In the years following Milton’s death a number of caretakers were employed at different times to help to maintain the house. Unfortunately the money le by Milton in 1926 for the upkeep of the house became totally inadequate in meeting the costs required in the twenty first century. With only enough money for essential repairs, the house became worn and tired. The local council were only too aware that they needed to prevent it decaying to the point of no return and agreed serious steps needed to be taken. Following meetings between the council and Great Harwood Civic Society it was decided that members of the society would take over the management, renovation and preservation of the house from the council and in 2013 Churchfield House Ltd was formed. The architecture of the house is a mix between late Georgian and early Victorian. It has everything including a large events room, several small meeting rooms, two kitchens and beautiful views. The house is currently staffed, solely by volunteers. Many repairs, renovations and improvements have been made and it is now bright, comfortable and welcoming. The house has hosted a number of ‘exhibitions’ during the last four years including one in remembrance of the beginning ofWorldWar One. The downstairs rooms were turned into a museum, depicting

the living room of a house of the town, as it would have been in 1914, and an Army field hospital. There has also been an exhibition depicting the life and work of John Mercer, the Chemist, and another of the Trappes-Lomax family, who were the main landowners of the town for many years. The house now plays host tomany local groups. These include The Camera Club, Yoga classes, University of the 3rd age and Community Voluntary Services. There is a tearoomopen on Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 11.a.m. until 4.p.m. and the venue is licensed to hold weddings. Rooms can be hired for meetings, events and family celebrations. All monies raised are used for the protection and preservation of the beautiful old house. Milton Haydock le Churchfield House for the benefit and enjoyment of all. With the continued support of both volunteers and community, it will be preserved for the benefit and enjoyment of many generations in the future.

For more information visit www.churchfieldhouse.org

Opposite: Churchfield House, Great Harwood. Above: The events room. WW1 remembrance exhibition. Right: Mr and Mrs Haydock and chauffer Mr. Knowles.

For the use and enjoyment of the people of Great Harwood

2 2 #Ama z i n g A c c r i n g t o n W i n t e r 2 0 1 7

#Ama z i n g A c c r i n g t o n W i n t e r 2 0 1 7 2 3