Comments by Nigel Jones
17:55 09 June 2008
It's funny to see the old place again. I grew up in Crossway Green, close to the Mansion, and as kids we used to ramble all over it (and under it...and never found the 'secret tunnel'.) I can remember the 'gas' signs on the stable doors. Back then, one could still climb what was left of the main staircase - but it looks as if that has all fallen in now. The stable actually still had its roof on in 1967 and I remeber chasing bats around in the loft! On one occasion a ram had somehow got itself up into the loft. When we tried to corner it to bring it down the stairs, it rammed the upper loft door and sailed straight out into mid-air landing with a hell of a thump but thankfully unharmed. Let's hope it is never transformed into some sterile conference centre hotel.