The Big Reveal

Months and months ago, I had a conversation with Michael, the boss of our scaffolding contractors MD Scaffolding Ltd. His team were reconfiguring part of the immense steel structure around Betley Court, and he said to me that when the last of the scaffolding came down, we’d all find it quite moving. In fact, people were often surprised at just how emotional they found the last of the scaffolding disappearing, pole-by-pole onto a lorry.

On Monday and Tuesday, I found out exactly what he meant. As raggedy scaffold wrap was piled into a skip and planks, poles and clamps removed one-by-one, the front of Betley Court became visible again. We’d speculated how different it might look. Before the scaffs were erected, the house had been in a sorry state. From the road, no roof remained and the windows were just burnt-out hollows. We wondered if the repairs would look jarringly obvious and out of keeping with this Georgian building, and out of keeping with the rest of the historic buildings in the village. In the end, we needn’t have worried; Betley Court looked rather splendid, set against a backdrop of blue sky and billowing clouds.

The evening of 23rd August 2019. Photo: Staffordshire Fire & Rescue

It’s a far cry from the scenes of 23^rd August 2019, at the height of the fire. I’d wondered as the fire raged if there would be anything worth rebuilding (I genuinely feared bulldozers would be called in to demolish the ruins, as there seemed to be no way of halting the inferno). And yet, just shy of four years later, Betley Court, on the outside at least, is back.

Betley Court forecourt - note the 'triumphal arch' which preceeded the current scrolls

Nigel and I found ourselves at an antique postcard fair at the weekend, and spend our visit rifling through boxes of black and white postcards, looking for images of Betley village and Betley Court in particular. We walked away with £50’s worth of postcards, some of which showed the eastern elevation of Betley Court. It seems fitting to share them as the front of Betley Court is now on display again.

Betley Court around 1920s, by which time William Douglas Caroe ad created the decorative scrollwork, and alcoves for the two statues 'Winter' and 'Summer' 

We have the last of our restoration tours of 2023 on 16^th July.  Nigel and I will be on hand to answer any questions you have on the fire and the rebuild. We’ll explain some of our new discoveries and we’ll introduce people to items in the exhibition. Tickets (£10pp + booking fee) are limited, and you can find out more on our website. HERE

Complimentary hot drink and snack in the visitors hub afterwards

Finally, a huge thank you to all the contractors who brought Betley Court back to life. It would not have been possible without you!

All best wishes

Ladybird Su