CHARNEY HALL Message from Andrew Holmes-Higgin
Hello – I was in Grange unexpectedly on Tuesday and took a few photos of what remains of the school for those who might be interested!
So I was in Scotland earlier this week and unexpectedly found myself able to get away for a day, so hurried down the M6 to visit family in Ulverston and pay a quick visit to Grange on the way back out. Up at the top of Charney Well Lane it’s always a shock seeing those bungalows at the top of what used to be the drive. But at least The Lodge and Grove House are much as they ever were, so I took a few photos to share. The one taken over the gate of the Lodge shows the stone wall of the embankment upon which the pool was built though I suppose the wooden fence at the top is much more recent.
The back of the Lodge is unchanged with the small room that was Charlie and Herbert’s kitchen / rest area, and there is a now-huge cedar tree by the back gate beneath which I and several others crouched in the dark one cold evening waiting to see a ghost that we were certain would appear (it didn’t).
It was a lovely day with blue skies and sunshine and I wish I could have stayed longer to walk along the prom and marvel at how far out the channel now is, and then a good long walk up on the fell from the beacon to the hospice.
I still wonder about that little stone alcove halfway down Charney Well Lane on the left, which I always assumed was built around the well after which the lane was named. It’s still there unchanged (see photo).
Best wishes, Andy
The new drive into the housing estate
Credit : Google Earth
The Lodge Garden and in the background,
the retaining wall to the former School Swimming Pool
Grove House from Charney Road/Charney Well Lane
Credit : Google Earth
Grove House front elevation
Drive to Grove House
Below : View down Charney Well Lane (Google Earth) and the location of the Well
All photographs with thanks to Andrew H-H except those credited to Google Earth and Ordnance Survey
Comments
Before I carry on I wish to reassure Charney Hall Old Boys and Visitors to the Blog that I do have a Day Job sadly which pays the bills and keeps the “wolf from the door” as it would appear that I have nothing better to do than look at the Charney Hall Blog on an hourly if not daily basis for the latest Postings and join with Andrew and John (Cranna) and make regular Posts to this fantastic Blog administered by Keith.
Back to Andrew’s Wonderful Post and Pictures. I have to applaud the surreal and edgy and grainy black and white picture of Andrew which commences Andrew’s Post and reinforces the loss sadly suffered by those who are without their hair like myself and also have been unable to emulate Andrew’s youthful looks.
Andrew’s pictures are fabulous as they bring back memories of long ago aided by Andrew’s unbelievable and uncanny ability to recall tales and his reminisces. Keith’s additional pictures and map and graphic aide memoires are very helpful to show directions and bearings.
Its amazing for Andrew to recall stories such as impressionable young boys “waiting for a Ghost” to appear and I had completely forgotten about the Well and the reason for the name “Charney Well Lane“ and also Charlie and Herbert’s Kitchen / Rest Area at the back of the Lodge which I now understand has been converted into several flats.
A quick check of the Web Site Rightmove reveals that Grove House was sold on 31st July 2002 for the sum of £310,000 and presumably still remains a detached house. I can only assume Grove House being a large original detached Victorian House on three levels with wonderful views might command a seven figure valuation these days.