News & Views
Manor Farm, Ruislip
The archaeological and historical importance of Manor
Farm transcends the local area. Its future is not merely a Ruislip
matter, but is of concern throughout the borough and beyond. The
following features make Manor Farm unique in this part of England:
- the village earthwork, which is connected with the Saxon park in
existence at the time of the Domesday Survey of 1086;
- the 11th century motte and bailey castle site;
- the site of the Abbey of Bec's priory, remains of which were discovered
beneath Manor Farm House in 1997;
- buildings dating from every period since c1300.
The Manor Farm Working Party was set up in September 1993 to decide how to create a heritage
centre at Manor Farm and interpret its unusually rich history for the
general public. A Heritage Strategy was adopted by the Ruislip/Northwood
Area Committee in January 1994. Work towards its implementation
has progressed very slowly since then, partly because money had
to be spent on essential repairs in the Great Barn and on the preparations
for underpinning Manor Farm House.
2006 UPDATE
All three contractors covering the areas of landscaping, architectural restoration and
interpretation have been appointed. It is hoped that the first stage of the project will
commence in October 2006 with works to the west courtyard craft workshops and the Great
Barn. Hopefully work on the new toilets to be sited on land at the end of the library
will also start in October 2006. When these new toilets are open and functioning the present
toilet block in the Lodge, which is in the process of being repaired and reopened, will be closed.
Then we hope further consideration will be given to the Lodge becoming an information/shop centre.
In preparation for restoration work on the Manor Farm House the Montessori Nursery has moved
to the Stables, which will now be it's permanent home.
There is some discussion as to whether a granary can be moved from Langley Farm on to the site
to replace the granary which burnt down in 1980.
It is hoped that some of the smaller historical farming implements stored at Park Lodge Farm will
be displayed on the site when the restoration work is finished.
2005 UPDATE
Fortunately the concerns of over a year ago have been addressed and, in April 2004, the Heritage
Lottery Fund pledged £2 million towards the Manor Farm restoration project.
Since then, the Development Phase of the project has been completed. This has entailed preparing
detailed designs of all the buildings, costings, a business plan, an archaelogical study and the
appointment of a project manager, Trudi-Lee Daughters. A package of planning applications relating
to the site was submitted in March 2005 and, subject to their approval hopefully in June, further
detailed plans will be prepared for the Heritage Lottery Fund in summer 2005. If these are accepted,
the main grant will be released and work can start on the site in the autumn.
Obviously, the project will have to be carried out in stages and no timetable has been agreed yet.
The
following works are included in the project:
- restoration and conversion of the Manor Farm into an Interpretation Centre to reveal many original
features which are currently hidden under modern additions;
- the flower bed outside Manor Farm to be changed into a formal herb garden;
- restoration of the double doors in the Great Barn on the side facing the green;
- a new floor to be laid in the Great Barn on top of the existing floor which will be more in keeping
with the character of the building;
- more sympathetic lighting to be installed in the Great Barn, to highlight the architectural features
and reduce glare;
- new public toilets to be built between the end of the library and Bury Street;
- conversion of the outbuildings in the Great Barn courtyard into craft workshops;
- improved landscaping throughout the site to replicate a more rural and appropriate environment, which
will include changing the present road through the site from the High Street into a pedestrian only path;
- the installation of a lift inside Manor Farm Library to improve access;
- clear signage and information panels throughout the site.
The Society is concerned about one building which is not presently included in the project and that is the Lodge (the former
public toilets) at the entrance to the site from the High Street. Originally it was intended to include
this building in the bid as an information/shop for the site but it was omitted to reduce costs. We believe it is
an integral part of the site and are hoping that alternative funding can be found to secure its future with
the other buildings on the site.
After so many delays and set backs, we are pleased that this important site is to be restored and enhanced to
protect its heritage and hopefully the work will be completed in 2008.
2003 UPDATE
Following Consultants reports outlining the proposed development of the Manor Farm site and public
consultation, an application was made for Heritage Lottery Funding to enable implementation. However,
at the last Manor Farm Working Party meeting on 5 February 2003, the committee were informed that a
decision had been deferred on the bid for funds to enhance and interpret the site because the Trustees
of the Fund were unhappy with some aspects of the application. Their main concerns were as follows:
- the overall budget of £1.4m was insufficient;
- the commitment of the London Borough of Hillingdon to the project was in doubt, especially
bearing in mind that the Borough has to provide matched funding. A letter of support for the bid
from the Chief Executive Dorian Leatham had been enclosed with the bid but it was felt that more
evidence of financial support was needed;
- the scheme needs to appoint a dedicated Project Manager to ensure that all the objectives are
achieved. The Heritage Lottery Fund will provide 75% of this person's salary, but that leaves the
Borough to cover the remaining 25% costs;
- doubts as to the financial viability of the proposed adaptations to the Great Barn so that it
could be used for more music and performance events. The expense of the suggested replacement of the
wagon door with an added glass screen across the inside to provide more light and the installation of
under floor heating might not be justified unless more use could be made of the Great Barn than had
been indicated in the bid.
Naturally after all this time this was very disappointing news, but the bid is not to be abandoned.
Representations have been made to the London Borough of Hillingdon in an effort to gain more positive
financial commitment from the Council. It is important to try to ensure that the necessary required
information, such as an Audience Development Plan for the Great Barn, will be collected, and a
strengthened application submitted as soon as possible. A representative of the Heritage Lottery Fund
was also due to soon make another visit to the site.
Eastcote House Gardens
The London Borough of Hillingdon is planning to make a bid for Heritage Lottery funding
to improve and enhance the grounds of Eastcote House Gardens. The bid would include restoration work
on the Coach House and the Dovecot, and suggested future uses for these buildings which will be of
benefit to the local community.
In an effort to find out the views of the local community as to possible uses of these
buildings and the overall proposals for the site, two meetings were held in March and May 2003 and a
questionnaire issued. The Society was represented at both of these meetings and have returned the
questionnaire stating our views, which are as follows:
The Society feels that the Coach House and the Dovecot
should be repaired, preserved and maintained as sympathetically as possible
with a future use that is in keeping with the environment of the Gardens.
A possible use of the Coach House could be as a tea room, with art display
facilities for local societies, while the Dovecot could become and education
and interpretation centre. The Walled Garden and grounds should be left
as natural as possible with no added features such as aviaries or statues.
All that is needed is improved planting and maintenance. In fact, for
the project to succeed, it will need the constant commitment of the
Council and an understanding that continuous maintenance will be essential.
Our understanding is that another meeting will be called
to report future progress at the end of the public consultation period
and to outline a timetable for the bid. Evidently, no new bids can be
made by the Council until a decision has been agreed by the Heritage
Lottery Fund on the Council's other bid, which has been on-going for
some years, for the Manor Farm site.
Ruislip in 2001
To commemorate the early years of the Millennium, a small group of members of the RNELHS
have compiled a photographic record of the area covered by the ancient Manor of Ruislip, which also
includes present day Northwood, Eastcote and South Ruislip. The choice of photographs is intended
to reflect the various aspects of life in 2001. The results have been mounted in two albums which are
lodged in the Local History Room at the Manor Farm Library.
2007 Journal
This latest journal contains the following articles:
- 'Death from Starvation'
- The VAD Hospitals at Northwood and Eastcote during World War I
- Ruislip and the Game Laws
- The Metamorphosis of The Swan
- All Quiet in the Chicken Run
- Murphy's Field (New Use for an Old Field)
- The 225 Club
- Society Outings 2007
The 2007 Journal is available for £4.00 (including UK postage) from
the Publications Manager, see Contacts. Please make cheques payable
to "Ruislip Northwood and Eastcote Local History Society".
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