Although the largest of its kind for that era in the town it was not too ostentatious or showy, in fact it will have reflected well on its owners being sturdy, traditional and of sober function.
In terms of materials and methods its was modest and conservative in a good quality red brick, slate roof and some attractive features including a wrought iron railing central balcony, bargeboards in half timbered style, a deep open porch with a turned wood pillar support and on the south elevation an orangery or conservatory.
The approach was up a steep driveway behind a deep retaining wall and with steps and paths leading to the main entrance.
Just behind the house, on its northern side the owners had built a low, two storey building- the Coach House with a two horse stable, coachman's room, an open bay for the family carriage and a workshop.
Running the full length above will have been a large hayloft space up into the roof eaves.
It has survived well to the present day, surprisingly well for a utilitarian structure and retains many of its authentic features.
Granted, the main area now has an electronically operated roller shutter door and has been lined out to keep the dirt and dust off any parked cars but it is otherwise faithful to its purpose. The old horse stalls have been removed but the floor cobbles, to provide a non-slip surface for shod hooves are intact. An old fireplace remains in the small compartment in which the domestic staff will have spent many an hour awaiting the call for a carriage to be brought around to the house for the Master to travel to work, the Mistress to go visiting or shopping or the family to attend Chapel or Church.
To the modern eye the fittings are a throw back to those far off days, the pre-motor car age, but in their time will have formed essential roles in the efficient and practical working life of the Coach House.
Here are just a few of them.
It sits on low brick piers with a small drain off aperture. There is no evidence of running water rather the basin will have had to be filled by hand.
The main source of water was from the rainwater downpipe which runs back into the stable and spills out in a glazed clay channel before being collected in an underground chamber or reservoir for recycling on a daily basis.
In the corner of the stable is a wash copper.
This is a brick surround to a hollowed out chamber in which would be placed a copper bowl. With a fire stoked in the hearth below this was used to provide hot water for general purposes.
The flue, in this case, was run through the partition wall and connected to the Coachman's fireplace to utilise the sole chimney stack.
This one has a round wooden lid suggesting it could have served also for clothes washing. In some instances, perhaps in a more rural property this would be used in the preparation of home reared meats
The stable block is very tidy and neat in its lines and angles.
Viewed from coming up the driveway the building sits well with the workshop in the foreground and main body and loft behind and above.
The green gloss paint of the door is likely to be the authentic finish.
Access to the hayloft is from an open tread ladder, steep and of shallow tread but will have been in frequent use to fetch and carry animal feed, tack and equipment.
It is feasible and indeed quite common for the first floor to have been used as accommodation for servants although this will have been cold and uncomfortable at the best of times.
The wall behind is a bit damp and crumbling although not untypical where a former functional building has become under used in a modern context.
In all, a bit of a gem. Prospective buyers have considered converting it into an annex to the main house or even as a self contained dwelling.
Although it is a pity that these scenarios will lead to the loss of some of the character such plans will at least conserve the building as sympathetically as could be hoped for.
No comments:
Post a Comment