Those Deeply Unfair Blows....

Betley Court, south elevation (photo: Su Hurrell)

Oh, the irony of fate. A week after the devastating fire destroyed Betley Court, the restoration works on the dam are completed. What a juxtaposition of satisfaction and despair! The dam work was part of the project we were awarded a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for. The repairs were a major component of the project, and complimented an oral history, a visitors’ hub and improvements that made the grounds easier for the public to enjoy.

This week has been taken up with coming to terms with the horrific events of 23^rd August. The 20 residents of Betley Court are all relocated, some temporarily, others have made more permanent arrangements elsewhere.  We have been touched that many of them have asked if they can return to Betley Court when the building is up and running. Out of respect for their privacy, that is all I want to say here. Prof. Brown now lives with us, and seems in good spirits, all things considered.

Drone photo of house. Photo credit: Staffordshire Fire Service

As for the house itself, what a mess! Nigel has met with experts from the fire services, local councillors, structural engineers and the insurers, all of them making available data so we can go forward with decisions about the future of Betley Court. It has been confirmed by the fire services that the fire was accidental, and caused by hot-works during roofing work.

Aerial drone photo curtesy S. Oakley

As part of the investigations, numerous drones have been used to film and photograph the devastation. It has really brought home how ferocious the fire was, and how fortunate we are that no one was hurt or killed. However, those images have confirmed the utter destruction of most of the building, and revealed the mammoth task ahead just to make the building secure, never mind restore it. We have many months of data collection, expert advice, and family discussions to go through before any concrete decisions are made for the future.

Betley Court, south elevation, scorched plants and debris, photo: Su Hurrell

One decision has been made though. The project to open Betley Court Gardens to the public is to continue, albeit with a delay of a year before the first opening. And with that in mind, Melvyn and Shane, our two Mr O’s have been back hard at work already, now that the grounds have been made secure, and the house cordoned off.  They have been repairing and edging paths that wind around the Dingle and the fishing lake, as well as doing day-to-day maintenance. We’ll have the tree surgeon in soon for the second phase of felling, which will clear the ground for the new visitors’ hub. Andy, the mowing contractor (and friend of the Court for 30+ years) has tidied up the lawns. We’ll do our best not to let the gardens slide whilst the house is healing.

Our newly edged paths. Photo: Su Hurrell

The flowers beds on the south elevation are putting on a colourful show.  I had contrived when choosing the species and varieties that they would be at their best for September, to coincide with the second trial opening, and the flowers have obliged with a spectacular, colourful display. It’s a little sad that they won’t have an audience to admire their beauty this year. That said, the bees, butteries and birds are enjoying them immensely. I need to clip the last of the box balls, to make them tidy for winter. It’s a little late (for some reason, they slipped my mind after the fire), but the winters have been so mild in recent years, I hope to get away with it!

At least the flowers look good! Photo: Su Hurrell

I’m afraid the border along the wall of the house has not fared so well. Some plants have been scorched by the fire itself, others crushed under the feet of firefighters as they fought the flames. Many are buried under roof tiles and debris. However, plants, like people are resilient things. Those plants lie behind the cordon now, so they must look after themselves until such a time we can tend for them again.

The scalped area by the dam, Photo Su Hurrell

Some repairs will be a little easier to make. Down in the Dingle, where contractors have scalped the earth during the dam restoration, there is a large area crying out for planting. I have been talking with Alsager Wildlife Initiative about the possibility of sowing a wildflower meadow this autumn. They have created several urban meadows around the small Cheshire town of Alsager, where I live, and these mini-meadows have been a delight all summer both to people and insects. It seems the area by the dam would be an ideal site for a mini-meadow at Betley Court. We’ve been recommended a specific grass/wildflower mix that will stabilise and enhance that area next summer.

My dearest friend messaged me as soon as she heard about the fire, “This is one of those deeply unfair blows life sometimes hurls at the loveliest of people…I’m hoping with rest and fortitude and all your collective creative talents as a family you can rebuild a future for Betley [Court].” We’ve started building that future, but it is a fair old task. If we’ve been shown one thing over the last few days, it is that we have enough love and friendship (and hot cuppas) to start us on our way.

Ladybird Su

Betley Court, front elevation, with the two statues "Summer" and "Winter" standing on sentry duty, photo Su Hurrell