Brewood Hall - Notes from 1980

Throughout her blog, Jan documented as much information about Brewood Hall as she could find.

The following notes are from a pre-digital age and were discovered amongst Jan's business files in the offices of Ford Electronics Limited.  They date from June 1980.  The drawings will, I believe, be Jan's own work.  Jan was a skilled draughtswoman, her office being full of detailed technical drawings of railway signals and track diagrams.

GH

Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

On 25th July 2023, Brewood Garden Party was held, for the ninth time, in the garden at Brewood Hall. In 2023 it was a rather different experience as we had heavy, intermittent rain throughout the day (and the preceding and following days). Visitor numbers were somewhat down on previous years but the organisers were gratified that most people seemed determined to enjoy the event, rain or no rain!

Earlier in 2022, the organising committee (representing 2nd Brewood Scouts, Brewood Parish Church and the informal group Friends of Brewood Hall) met a number of times to plan the event.

Setting Up

During the two days prior to the event, the marquees, tents, tables, chairs and other items needed were brought to Brewood Hall from various locations using cars towing trailers. Brewood Scouts and other volunteers erected the tents and arranged the seating areas. On the day of the Garden Party, despite the indifferent weather, all the work was completed in time for the public to be admitted at noon. The Garden Party, lasting just four hours, requires a lot of commitment from those involved before, during and after the event.


Setting-up the event during rather indifferent weather: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


Erecting the marquees: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


Plenty of marquee space offered some defence against inclement weather: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

The Event

The weather prior to the Garden Party had been unusually cool with rain but the organisers decided that cancellation was not an option, although it was feared that, if wet, nobody would come. The morning of the garden party was a mixture of heavy rain, light rain with periods when the rain stopped and optimists cried "I think it's clearing up!". But the weather didn't improve much during the afternoon. To the relief of the organisers, at noon visitors started to arrive, seemingly determined to enjoy the event whatever the weather.

Once again, Peter Plowright was a welcoming presence on the admissions table, this time with rather limited protection from a gazebo.


Peter Plowright handled admissions: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

During the rainy periods, the refreshment tent provided plenty of tables and chairs under cover to enjoy the selection of drinks and food, ensuring the catering volunteers were kept busy throughout the afternoon. The adjacent Beer Tent offered locally-brewed Enville Ale, lager, Pimms and soft drinks and the next tent offered Burgers and Hot Dogs which proved very popular. Although the weather was less than ideal, a mobile ice-cream van made a visit during the afternoon and appeared to do reasonable business.


The Refreshment Tent was always busy: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


Enville Ale, Lager, Pimms and soft drinks at the Beer Tent: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


Burgers and Hot Dogs were available throughout: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

Young visitors were well looked after by the attractions with a large marquee with games and Tuck Shop. Outside, there was the ever-popular coconut shy, they could closely examine the locomotive 'Phoenix' (although, sadly, not in steam) and Brewood's big red Fire Engine.


A large marquee housing games and attractions for children was always busy: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


The steam locomotive 'Phoenix', although static, was popular with youngsters: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


The Fire Service displayed the impressive Brewood equipment: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

We welcomed back local group 'Hubbub' who entertained during the afternoon. As usual, there was a Tombola stall and members of the parish church had produced a wide range of Plants and Produce for sale.


'Hubbub' provided a variety of music throughout the event: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


Left: Extra refreshment stall seating, Centre: Music group 'Hubbub', Right: Tombola stall. The Hall watches all the activities impassively at Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


The Plants and Produce Stall attracted plenty of interest: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

Established favorites Chase Ferrets returned with their animals. Ferrets are part of the weasel family and were first domesticated over 2,500 years ago. Brighter Days Dog Rescue made their first appearance.


Established favorites Chase Ferrets attended again: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


Brighter Days Rescue made their first visit: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

The Brewood Community Hub now has a wide range of activities and clubs including Baby Sling, Bouncing Bunnies, Dementia Support Group, Sewcialise and Table Tennis. Rooms are used by Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides and Brownies and are available for hire. In connection with the Community Hub Art Club, Hannah Broadhead Art arranged an extensive display of her art.


Crochet, knitting and other crafts on a Brewood Community Hub stall: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

Despite the less-than-ideal weather, all reports from visitors were encouraging. Not only did people enjoy the activities but funds were generated for the supported charitable initiatives.


Not all rain! In the background (L-R) Coconut Shy, Hot Dog Stall, Beer Tent: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

After the Event

The Event closed at four o'clock leaving lots of work for the volunteers. Admissions money and stall takings were counted on the day with Geoff H. then arranging refund of agreed expenses and distribution of nett proceeds to the beneficiary charities. Dismantling the stalls and Marquees was started on the day but loading up trailers and returning equipment to storage was spead over a couple of days.

Reports on previous garden parties at Brewood Hall

Brewood Vintage Garden Party 2013.
Brewood Vintage Garden Party 2014.
Brewood Garden Party 2015.
Brewood Garden Party 2016.
Brewood Garden Party 2017.
Brewood Garden Party 2018.
Brewood Garden Party 2019.
Brewood Garden Party 2022.

Related posts on other websites

2nd Brewood Scouts
Chase Ferret Rescue
Brighter Days Rescue

Pictures of the event in 2023

Depending on the display device, the right hand edge of pictures may not display. To see an uncropped image, click on the picture. Alternately, you can find the image by following the link below and display or download the image in various resolutions.

Brewood Garden Party 2023

Brewood Garden Party 2022

On 16th July 2022, Brewood Garden Party was held, for the eighth time, in the garden at Brewood Hall.

The previous garden party had been in 2019 and, although intended to be annual, planned events in 2020 and 2021 had been cancelled because of the Covid19 pandemic. Early in 2022, the organising committee (representing 2nd Brewood Scouts, Brewood Parish Church and the informal group Friends of Brewood Hall) met and agreed that we should, if circumstances allowed, run the event in 2022. A series of meetings were held in the following months to plan the details.

Publicity

As in previous events, a 'flyer' was printed and distributed to households around Brewood by the Scouts. In 1922, the local free magazine 'Villager' published an illustrated article in their June edition.

Setting Up

On the evenings of Thursday 14th July and Friday 15th July, the marquees, tents, tables, chairs and other items needed were brought to Brewood Hall from various locations using cars towing trailers. Brewood Scouts and other volunteers erected the tents and arranged the seating areas. This work was completed on the morning of the Garden Party, with the children's games, refreshment tent and temporary electrics being completed in time for the public to be admitted at noon. The Garden Party, lasting just four hours, requires a lot of commitment from those involved before, during and after the event.


Just some of the materials brought in on trailers for the event: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2022


One of the tubular-framed marquee being erected: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2022

A Little Local Difficulty

Two days before the event, the writer tested positive for Covid19. I'd had the three inoculations specified for a person of my age at the time and it was the first time I'd contracted Covid so it was a bit of a surprise. Not wishing to be the cause of a "Brewood Super-spreader Event" I realised that I would be self-isolating in Brewood Hall during the Garden Party, just able to watch through the windows! So my report is rather second-hand this time and largely relies on pictures taken by others. My infection was fairly benign with symptoms similar to a bad cold persisting for a little over a week.

The Event

The weather leading up to the Garden Party had been unusually hot, giving rise to the fear that the event might be unpleasantly warm. On the morning of the Garden Party, there had been a very brief, light shower after which the weather became perfect with bright sun, warm but not oppresive.

Peter Plowright was a welcoming presence on the admissions table throughout the afternoon.


Peter Plowright manning the Admission Desk: Brewood Garden Party 2022

The event was opened by the Staffordshire Corps of Drums, in their impressive, colourful ceremonial uniforms, with a precision, musical display.


The event opened with a display by Staffordshire Corps of Drums: Brewood Garden Party 2022

The Refreshment Tent, with its selection of drinks and food, quickly became a focus and remained well-patronised throughout the afternoon.


Some of the volunteers from Brewood Post Office and Brewood Co-op who helped to staff the Refreshment Tent: Brewood Garden Party 2022

The ideal weather encouraged visitors to relax in the open air at the numerous tables outside the Refreshment Tent or wander around the variety of stalls.


Brewood Garden Party 2022

For a number of years, the Cannock Performing Arts Centre provided music at the Brewood Garden Party with two talented bands. Their activities had not yet recovered from the malign effects of the Covid Pandemic and they were unable to appear in 2022. However, we were able to welcome a local group, Hubbub, on their first public appearance and, with guitars and keyboard, they provided mellow music during the afternoon well-matched to the relaxed mood of the event.




A newly-formed local group, Hubbub, provided mellow music at Brewood Garden Party 2022

For the first time, Greensforge Sailing Club (who are based at the nearby Gailey water reservoir) displayed the popular RS Tera dinghy they use for training. This created a lot of interest.


The popular RS Tera dinghy displayed by Greensforge Sailing Club at Brewood Garden Party 2022

Also for the first time, local charity Bethany Children's Home, based in Wombourne, had a stall to promote their work in connection with the orphanage they built in Dhading, Nepal.


Bethany Children's Home stall: Brewood Garden Party 2022

In 2019, a Pizza Van had been a popular innovation. In 2022 Al's Pizzas offered wood-fired pizzas from a striking customised van parked on the grass just outside the entrance.


Al's Pizzas: Brewood Garden Party 2022

The Village Pantry provided a stall and, in addition, a mobile ice-cream van made a visit.


The Village Pantry Stall at Brewood Garden Party 2022

The beer tent made a welcome return and was kept busy, offering cold soft drinks, lager, Pimms and, until stocks ran out, Greene King's craft 'Level Head' ale.


The Beer Tent: Brewood Garden Party 2022

We were pleased to welcome back Chase Ferret Rescue, with their attractive animals. Some readers may be unaware that Cannock Chase (or simply 'the Chase') is a nearby area historically connected to Brewood.


Dean and ferret friend: Brewood Garden Party 2022

This was the first Garden Party since the opening of Brewood Community Hub and they provided a stall to display the variety of activities on offer there. They advertise regular clubs called Baby Sling, Art Club, Bouncing Bunnies, Dementia Support Group, Sewcialise, Weight Watchers, Yoga, Table Tennis. Rooms are used by Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides and Brownies and are available for hire for children’s parties or meetings.


The Sewing Club at Brewood Community Hub: Brewood Garden Party 2022

Once again, Brewood Parish Church provided an imposing Plants and Produce Stall, which was sited along the front elevation of the Hall.


Plants and Produce stall: Brewood Garden Party 2022

A wide range of prizes was on offer for the lucky winners at tombola.


Tombola prizes displayed behind the tombola drum: Brewood Garden Party 2022

Our many younger visitors were well-catered for. The ever-popular Coconut Shy was kept busy, as were 'Hook-a-Duck' and Teddy Tombola. There was a colourfully-decorated Tuck Shop, a Book Stall and a 'Soft Archery' range.


The ever-popular Coconut Shy: Brewood Garden Party 2022


Tuck Shop: Brewood Garden Party 2022


'Hook-a-Duck' and Teddy Tombola: Brewood Garden Party 2022


Archery for Children using arrows tipped with rubber suckers: Brewood Garden Party 2022

As in 2019, the 2-foot gauge steam locomotive 'Phoenix' appeared as a static exhibit, this time with smoke curling from the distinctively-shaped chimney.


'Phoenix' at Brewood Garden Party 2022

As an innovation in 2022, John Groves, a local farmer, displayed a classic farm tractor for young people to admire.


John Groves, a local farmer, displayed a classic tractor: Brewood Garden Party 2022

A section of the front lawn had been marked out with a series of parallel white lines, forming a short running track, allowing a number of Children's Races, with small prizes, to be held during the event.

After the Event

The Event closed at four o'clock but, of course, there was still lots of work for the volunteers. Admissions money and stall takings were counted on the day by Marion and the writer with Geoff then arranging refund of sums advanced by volunteers and distribution of nett proceeds to the benefiicary charities.


Brewood Hall Garden Party 2022: Marion counting cash

Dismantling the stalls and Marquees was started on the day but loading up trailers and returning equipment to storage was spead over a couple of days.


Brewood Hall Garden Party 2022: Dismantling marquees after the event

It was naturally disappointing that Covid prevented me from attending the eighth Brewood Hall Garden Party but I was touched that members of the organising committee afterwards presented me, as current chatelaine of Brewood Hall, with a magnificent floral display.


Brewood Hall Garden Party 2022: The writer, as owner of Brewood Hall, was presented with a magnificent bouquet

Reports on previous garden parties at Brewood Hall

Brewood Vintage Garden Party 2013.
Brewood Vintage Garden Party 2014.
Brewood Garden Party 2015.
Brewood Garden Party 2016.
Brewood Garden Party 2017.
Brewood Garden Party 2018.
Brewood Garden Party 2019.

Related posts on other websites

2nd Brewood Scouts
Greensforge Sailing Club
Chase Ferret Rescue


Pictures of the event

Depending on the display device, the right hand edge of pictures may not display. To see an uncropped image, click on the picture. Alternately, you can find the image by following the link below and display or download the image in various resolutions.

Brewood Garden Party 2022

Brewood Hall Maintenance (3)

My introduction to the post Notes on the History of Brewood Hall begins:-

In 1971, I acquired Brewood Hall. It was in a fairly sorry state but, having done what repairs and redecorations could be afforded at the time, it became my family home. Over the years, more extensive conservation and redecoration work has been carried out as possible..

As I'd explained in a post on maintenance in 2014 here, trying to keep any property in reasonable condition over a long period presents recurring problems, particularly when the building dates from 1640 and is also Listed Grade II. That earlier post describes partial external repainting, together with roofing and general repairs carried out in 2013-2014.

In 2018, a further post here described path repairs in front of the Hall in 2016 and further repairs and improvements to the patch at the rear of the Hall in 2017. Also in 2017, an impressive 'Genie' self-propelled articulating boom was brought onto the site to allow remedial work to the cement quoins on the front elevation and re-pointing of brickwork at high level. Finally, traditional path 'edgers' were sourced from a reclamation yard to border the path in front of the Hall.

The list of jobs described in that 2018 post wasn't exhaustive - one unexpected repair was the re-hanging of the one of the two gates on the main drive. In high winds, this gate had broken free from its 'mooring' and slammed shut, wrenching the lower gate hinge pin out of the brickwork. This was finally rectified in October 2017.


Repairs at Brewood Hall: Re-hanging of gate.

The Ice House

Perhaps the most unusual restoration project, back in 2007-2008, was excavating the Ice House, used for food storage at larger houses prior to refrigerators. The original work is described in the earlier post here, which concluded:-

Access is via brick steps from ground level. This entrance has a brick arch roof and brick recesses on the left and right. There was originally a sandstone lintel and wooden door frame and door. When more studies have been undertaken, a replacement lintel and door will be fitted.

In fact, well before the work of excavating the Ice House was completed, the door frame had seriously rotted, the door hinges had rusted through and both the stone lintel and part of the brick arch above the entrance had collapsed. But it was not until 2010 that work to replace the lintel and door was carried out, as illustrated below:-


Custom-made stone lintels to repair the damaged area over the entrance to the Ice House. Note the wooden former used to reconstruct the brick arch above the entrance.


Brewood Hall: Fitting the replacement 'hit-and-miss' style oak door to the Ice House in 2010. Note the new stone lintel above the doorway.

Unfortunately, because of the extremely damp conditions, the substantial oak door warped badly after a few years and in 2021 repairs were carried out by Jim.


The Ice House: Repairs to the oak door in 2021


Brewood Hall Ice House: View of Ice House door after repair in 2021

Back in 2008 during excavations of the Ice House, we'd been unsure of the function of the rectangular capped-off 'Chimney' in the roof of the Ice House. Subsequent research suggested this was a chute to facilitate getting ice into the Ice House. Presumably, when the original use ceased, the 'Chimney' was capped-off and grassed-over.


The Ice House: Capped-off 'Chimney' in the roof of the Ice House.

During the 2021 repairs, Jim dug a small test hole in the Upper Lawn to locate the top of the capped-off 'Chimney' but it didn't reveal any further clues as to the original arrangements.


Brewood Hall Ice House: Test hole in upper lawn to locate the closed-off 'chimney'



Related posts on this website

To see all my posts on Brewood Hall, select Label 'Brewood Hall' or click here.

My pictures

Where necessary, clicking on an image in a post will display an 'uncropped' view or, alternately, pictures may be selected, viewed or downloaded, in various sizes, from the albums listed below.

Pictures showing the ice house over the years are in the album The Ice House. Pictures showing a selection of works carried out in 2016 and later are in the album Repairs at Brewood Hall.

To see all my pictures of Brewood Hall, Brewood and the surrounding area pictures, go to the collection index at ,a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/janfordsworld/collections/72157626483102130/">Brewood, Staffordshire