Preserve the proud History of Redcar
I was delighted to have attended the opening of the Gertrude Bell exhibition in the Great North Museum, Hancock, Newcastle, which I highly recommend – it is excellent! Whilst there I met Redcar MP Anna Turley and we discussed Redbarns – the former home of Gertrude Bell, which is falling into disrepair. I drove to Redcar on the day that Hurricane Gertrude was whipping up a storm, (how apt!) to look at Redbarns in order to take stock of the situation. There a link fence surrounding the building and with luck on my side, a gap in the fence where I climbed through. My luck held when I went to the rear of the house and saw several men talking. I introduced myself ro a man who gave his name as Mr Peter Rossi, of the developers planning to renovate the property. I’m told that there had been negative social media comments and I asked Mr Rossi for his side of the woeful story. Mr Rossi explained there was no lack of care or of duty on his part to protect the building, having had the roof re-tiled 3 times at a cost of many thousands of pounds, and has constantly improved security. Mr Rossi is very bitter about the negative publicity and I quote, said, “If the people spent only half the energy they use if writing offensive tweets, they could rally round and find out who is vandalising the site”. Mr Rossi cannot understand why the mindless destruction of the house continues unabated, with stones being thrown at the lovely “porthole” stained glass window, and other actions making the building appear derelict. Unbelievably the fountain that stood proudly in the garden, in which Gertrude planted flowers, has been stolen.
I was gravely saddened to see this once lovely house boarded up and seemingly in its death throws. The Bell family provided work, jobs and security for thousands of people and Gertrude is arguably the North East’s most famous Daughter. So why are the people of Redcar (or its surrounds) conducting themselves in such a shameful manner?
Mr Rossi tells me that he has applied for and received planning permission to build 3 or more dwellings on the site, though of course the façade of Redbarns will remain in tact. In addition a further 1 or two houses will be built in the rear. This is a positive move and will create more housing for the area.
A similar building project in Washington (Tyne and Wear) at the Bell family home, Lady Margaret Hall, has been achieved successfully, keeping the façade. Mr Rossi has invited me to visit him again in the Spring to view the progress. Seems we have a campaign!
All photos by Jan long
[email protected]
01531 650036
Heath house
Bromsberrow Heath
Near Ledbury
HR8 1PG
I was delighted to have attended the opening of the Gertrude Bell exhibition in the Great North Museum, Hancock, Newcastle, which I highly recommend – it is excellent! Whilst there I met Redcar MP Anna Turley and we discussed Redbarns – the former home of Gertrude Bell, which is falling into disrepair. I drove to Redcar on the day that Hurricane Gertrude was whipping up a storm, (how apt!) to look at Redbarns in order to take stock of the situation. There a link fence surrounding the building and with luck on my side, a gap in the fence where I climbed through. My luck held when I went to the rear of the house and saw several men talking. I introduced myself ro a man who gave his name as Mr Peter Rossi, of the developers planning to renovate the property. I’m told that there had been negative social media comments and I asked Mr Rossi for his side of the woeful story. Mr Rossi explained there was no lack of care or of duty on his part to protect the building, having had the roof re-tiled 3 times at a cost of many thousands of pounds, and has constantly improved security. Mr Rossi is very bitter about the negative publicity and I quote, said, “If the people spent only half the energy they use if writing offensive tweets, they could rally round and find out who is vandalising the site”. Mr Rossi cannot understand why the mindless destruction of the house continues unabated, with stones being thrown at the lovely “porthole” stained glass window, and other actions making the building appear derelict. Unbelievably the fountain that stood proudly in the garden, in which Gertrude planted flowers, has been stolen.
I was gravely saddened to see this once lovely house boarded up and seemingly in its death throws. The Bell family provided work, jobs and security for thousands of people and Gertrude is arguably the North East’s most famous Daughter. So why are the people of Redcar (or its surrounds) conducting themselves in such a shameful manner?
Mr Rossi tells me that he has applied for and received planning permission to build 3 or more dwellings on the site, though of course the façade of Redbarns will remain in tact. In addition a further 1 or two houses will be built in the rear. This is a positive move and will create more housing for the area.
A similar building project in Washington (Tyne and Wear) at the Bell family home, Lady Margaret Hall, has been achieved successfully, keeping the façade. Mr Rossi has invited me to visit him again in the Spring to view the progress. Seems we have a campaign!
All photos by Jan long
[email protected]
01531 650036
Heath house
Bromsberrow Heath
Near Ledbury
HR8 1PG