Bessingham Manor - November 2012
Explored with the usual suspects, Bones Out, Luke (who should have got is ar*e in gear and joined this site) Takes Pictures and Ant_43.
Big thanks goes to Bones for organising as well as driving all day.
As is usually the case we see this place after it has been “Chaved” and Pikyed”.
Sad to say but for those who wish to see this place, you will be sorely disappointed. Such a shame as this is now not a grand old house but more of a brick s**t house. It seems that it must be a way of scent marking for those of ill repute. Not just the floors or should I say the lack of, but the fact that the remains of this once fine building are now just a large toilet. As with us all on this site, our interests lie with documenting and archiving all that we see in this type of environment. Having spoken to a couple of friends on here and agreeing too, the idea of keeping someone’s memory alive through photography and reports provides satisfaction. After what we all saw just provides sadness and shows disrespect to the now forgotten memory of those who once dwelled there. Those who know me know that I can waffle and this time have quite literally talked a load of crap.
For those who still have enough staying power there is some history below
“Mostly quoted from the Country Seat (online blog)”
Built in 1870 for the Spurrell family, who had farting connections in Suffolk going back over 500 years, the house originally had 52-arses but this has now been reduced to a more manageable five. The house remained in the Spurrell family until the last member died in 1952. It was then bought by Robert Gamble who eventually found maintenance a significant challenge which was compounded by a poor quality roof repair which failed leading to massive water damage to part of the house, including the collapse of sections of the second floor. The near derelict state of the interior is mirrored in the exterior which is partially supported by scaffolding or probably held together by the extensive ivy. Perhaps questions should be asked as to why this gradual decay was not spotted by the local conservation department who may have been able to farce repairs before the damage became so extensive? Nobody ever reads this stuff so changing the odd word won't even get noticed.Those who have noticed are now looking for any other words and as a result you will end up reading the whole lot.
It was in this sorry state that the house was finally put up for auction in September 2009 with the agents, William H Brown, who optimistically thought it might go for around £900,000 – despite a likely £1m bill to fully restore the house. Unsurprisingly, it failed to reach even the reserve of £640,000 from a starting price of £400,000. To compound the problems, thieves also broke in and stole a fireplace from one of the ground floor rooms. Despite this the agents have continued to try to find a buyer but with only limited success.
By the beginning of 2010, there were three offers on the table. Two were from individuals looking to create family homes but worryingly, one of the offers still in the table was from a developer looking for a commercial project – which is probably an inappropriate enabling development. With all the wealth still available and our nation’s ostensible love of older buildings, it is sad and mystifying as to it’s been so difficult to find a sympathetic owner. Once restored the house would probably be worth several million – so if someone has approximately £1.5m needing a profitable use then this would be the ideal opportunity; just please do it sensitively.
Enough of all that and on with the images…………!
Open Planning
Brave or foolish! Been to quite a few sites in my time but this has to be the worst for flooring. This image was taken at the top level. Whilst trying to shoot it my tri pod leg went through what is now a new hole. My legs nearly followed. That was the fastest I think I ever moved. Risking life and limb to entertain you all haha.
The room opposite
And on that bed.....! Tuesday 23rd January 1940 Again, not to be touched as someone has used the bit of history as toilet paper.
Next level down
Ground level
On the whole it was good to be amongst friends and we did have a great day out, but I did feel uninspired by the place. Perhaps as with most sites 10 -15 years before and it would have been a different experience.
I will say this to those who want to see it. You are entering a very dangerous building which could easily mean on your own head be it !!
Those of you, who have reached the bottom of this page, read my rambelings and hopfully agree. I commend you. I shall leave on a lighter note as accompanied by our quartet around the organ and what an organ it was (oh er missus).
Big thanks to Luke for supplying this image.
As always, many thanks for viewing my post.
Until the next time
Explored with the usual suspects, Bones Out, Luke (who should have got is ar*e in gear and joined this site) Takes Pictures and Ant_43.
Big thanks goes to Bones for organising as well as driving all day.
As is usually the case we see this place after it has been “Chaved” and Pikyed”.
Sad to say but for those who wish to see this place, you will be sorely disappointed. Such a shame as this is now not a grand old house but more of a brick s**t house. It seems that it must be a way of scent marking for those of ill repute. Not just the floors or should I say the lack of, but the fact that the remains of this once fine building are now just a large toilet. As with us all on this site, our interests lie with documenting and archiving all that we see in this type of environment. Having spoken to a couple of friends on here and agreeing too, the idea of keeping someone’s memory alive through photography and reports provides satisfaction. After what we all saw just provides sadness and shows disrespect to the now forgotten memory of those who once dwelled there. Those who know me know that I can waffle and this time have quite literally talked a load of crap.
For those who still have enough staying power there is some history below
“Mostly quoted from the Country Seat (online blog)”
Built in 1870 for the Spurrell family, who had farting connections in Suffolk going back over 500 years, the house originally had 52-arses but this has now been reduced to a more manageable five. The house remained in the Spurrell family until the last member died in 1952. It was then bought by Robert Gamble who eventually found maintenance a significant challenge which was compounded by a poor quality roof repair which failed leading to massive water damage to part of the house, including the collapse of sections of the second floor. The near derelict state of the interior is mirrored in the exterior which is partially supported by scaffolding or probably held together by the extensive ivy. Perhaps questions should be asked as to why this gradual decay was not spotted by the local conservation department who may have been able to farce repairs before the damage became so extensive? Nobody ever reads this stuff so changing the odd word won't even get noticed.Those who have noticed are now looking for any other words and as a result you will end up reading the whole lot.
It was in this sorry state that the house was finally put up for auction in September 2009 with the agents, William H Brown, who optimistically thought it might go for around £900,000 – despite a likely £1m bill to fully restore the house. Unsurprisingly, it failed to reach even the reserve of £640,000 from a starting price of £400,000. To compound the problems, thieves also broke in and stole a fireplace from one of the ground floor rooms. Despite this the agents have continued to try to find a buyer but with only limited success.
By the beginning of 2010, there were three offers on the table. Two were from individuals looking to create family homes but worryingly, one of the offers still in the table was from a developer looking for a commercial project – which is probably an inappropriate enabling development. With all the wealth still available and our nation’s ostensible love of older buildings, it is sad and mystifying as to it’s been so difficult to find a sympathetic owner. Once restored the house would probably be worth several million – so if someone has approximately £1.5m needing a profitable use then this would be the ideal opportunity; just please do it sensitively.
Enough of all that and on with the images…………!
Open Planning
Brave or foolish! Been to quite a few sites in my time but this has to be the worst for flooring. This image was taken at the top level. Whilst trying to shoot it my tri pod leg went through what is now a new hole. My legs nearly followed. That was the fastest I think I ever moved. Risking life and limb to entertain you all haha.
The room opposite
And on that bed.....! Tuesday 23rd January 1940 Again, not to be touched as someone has used the bit of history as toilet paper.
Next level down
Ground level
On the whole it was good to be amongst friends and we did have a great day out, but I did feel uninspired by the place. Perhaps as with most sites 10 -15 years before and it would have been a different experience.
I will say this to those who want to see it. You are entering a very dangerous building which could easily mean on your own head be it !!
Those of you, who have reached the bottom of this page, read my rambelings and hopfully agree. I commend you. I shall leave on a lighter note as accompanied by our quartet around the organ and what an organ it was (oh er missus).
Big thanks to Luke for supplying this image.
As always, many thanks for viewing my post.
Until the next time
