Grade 2 listed 10/06/1985, upgraded to Grade 2 star 23/09/1993. The impressive 3-storey Victorian long frontageof cream coloured brick, with its 29 sash windows, hides significant internal timber framing up to roof level in the northern half, dating from possibly the 16th century. This was uncovered in 1992 when the building was converted from two into seven dwellings. Also uncovered were 12 wall paintings (dating from about 1600) of busts of Roman Emporers, which experts say are of national importance. This led to the buildings listing being upgraded to Grade 2 star.
Building records show Brereton Hall was largely reconstructed in 1794-95 for the use of the Rev. George Talbot, but after his death in 1812 in a hunting accident it was divided into two parts, and from about 1818 the Northern part was the home of sisters Elizabeth and Harriet Sneyd, daughters of Ralph Sneyd of Keele, who built Breretons first school and were amongst the principal contributors to the building of St.Micheals Church. Until 1923 was owned by the Earls Talbot (Shrewsbury & Talbot from 1856) who, with their ancestors the Chetwynds of Ingestre, were lords of Brereton sub-manor from the 13th century, and it is regarded as having been the principal house of the Manor. In 1924 Brereton Colliery Company purchased it. For many years colliery officials occupied Brereton Hall, although from at least 1897 until 1925 the Southern part was a Girls Training Home for up to 16 domestic servants (not local girls) who wore uniforms and straw hats. Barn behind Brereton Hall - Grade 2 listed 10/06/1985 Externally built mainly of stone, it is considered to be 17th century in origin. Each end wall has a stone mullioned window and a gable with externally exposed timber framing. A semi-circular mark rising upwards from ground level on the South exterior wall was almost certainly caused by a one time waterwheel of about 3 metres diameter driven by water from Brereton Brook, which is now culverted along a different nearby course. The barn was converted into a house in 1992. It is situated at the end of Brereton Manor Court .
|
Thanks to Tim Jones and Ravenhill & Brereton Parish Council for their kind permission to reproduce this information. |