Five Years On

 

Betley Court will be opening its doors on the weekend of 24/25th August 2024 for a special series of talks marking the fifth anniversary of the fire. Join Nigel and Su from the Brown family to hear about how the process of the rebuild is going. There will be a chance to see some of the photos and video reels in the Nash Room. Complimentary tea and cake in the visitors’ hub afterwards. Guests are welcome to enjoy the gardens until gates close at 6pm.

For ticket availability and details go to:

www.betleycourtgardens.co.uk

Betley Court, Main Road. Photo credit: Darren Washington & Sarah Peart 2024

It's hard to believe that next month, the 23rd August to be precise, it will be five whole years since the fire that destroyed Betley Court happened. We've come a long way since that shocking day, when hot works during a roof repair smouldered, then ignited, spreading fire quickly to the attic. The fire made 19 people homeless on the day, including my late father-in-law, Professor Godfrey Brown, who was rescued by four residents, thankfully. Another couple, who had been due to move into Betley Court the following week also had to find alternative accommodation.

The six of us who make up the second generation of the Brown family have learned so much during this time. Having never expected to be in this position, we became construction company – albeit one with only one purpose; to rebuild Betley Court. We spent a year speaking to experts and getting advice to find out if the building would be structurally sound enough even to attempt a rebuild. That year included periods of further demolition and safety work, along with clearing debris from the carcass of Betley Court left behind by the fire. Something like 200 tonnes of ash and rubble were removed in this period. And everybody in Betley village remembers the arrival of the Big Yellow Crane that assisted in the inspection and demolition phase!

Roof frame installation in 2022. Photo credit: Darren Washington & Sarah Peart 

The first building contractors arrived on site to start the rebuild the week we laid Godfrey to rest, reinforcing the notion that the baton for looking after Betley Court had firmly been passed on. We’ve been fortunate to find a wonderful heritage architect in Mark Evans, who has worked sympathetically with both the building, and the family on the rebuild.  Our main contractors MidlandConservation Ltd had the experience and the pool of brilliant tradespeople to make Mark’s designs into reality. As the rebuild took place, Betley Court was bandaged up in scaff-wrap and steel poles by Michael Nind’s skilled team from MD Scaffolding Ltd.

Interior works: temporary staircase construction 2022

We now have two Newcastle Borough-based building contractors, Jim Farmer, and his son Mark and grandson Sam, and Dom Culleton working on the fit out of the seven apartments that occupy the factory, in what was once have been the servants’ end of the house in the days of the old squires.

Attic entrance 2024. Phot credit: Darren Washington & Sarah Peart

Its a funny thing, looking after a very old building. I’m very aware that the Brown family’s tenure – or at least the second generation’s tenure at Betley Court will only be a short part of its history. Many owners have been and gone during its 308-years. An old building like Betley Court doesn’t just belong to you, not when it occupies the space in a village streetscape as it does. It belongs to the passers by, who hold it in great affection; a character in village stories and family histories too; a backdrop to parish life.

Apartment nearing completion, April 2022. Photo credit: Darren Washington & Sarah Peart

Its lovely, and a little bit daunting to look after a building that’s held in such affection. We’ve been really touched that people have taken interest in the rebuild, whether online, or in person on our open days. Thank you to everyone who has given support! Hope to see you at our next open weekend.

All best wishes

Ladybird Su