122 THE GRANGE, FOWKE STREET
ACCESSED FROM FOWKE STREET. NOW PRIVATE PROPERTY. NO PUBLIC ACCESS.
OS REF SK586126
13th April 2002.
THE PROPERTY ON THIS SITE CALLED THE GRANGE HAS BEEN USED AS OFFICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS BUT WAS, AT ONE TIME, A PRIVATE HOUSE WITH LOVELY GROUNDS. IT IS NOW EMPTY AND SUFFERING VANDALISM. THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY WAS DUE ON THE 11TH APRIL 2002 BUT HAS BEEN DEFERRED UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH. AT THIS STAGE WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT WILL BE USED FOR AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE GROUNDS.
The front of The Grange around 1910-1919
The side of The Grange with its elegant gardens. 1917
The gardens at the rear of The Grange
Rear gardens. 1952.
The Grange in 1965 when it became the offices for Barrow Rural District Council
13th April 2002 I recorded:
This area that I have called The Grange consists of the original garden with lawns, ponds, flowerbeds and woodland. There are some lovely trees, the largest being a Wellingtonia with a girth of 6m. Little did I realise that in 2011 I would be looking out on that tree from my new home in the grounds of The Grange. There are large Blue Cedars, an Oak with a girth of 4m and Yews set in the lawns and around the gardens. You can find the remains of a Japanese Garden, pathways, ponds and seats. It would have been a lovely garden in the time when it was a private house and so sad to see it in such a sorry state. The Swithland slate roof over the gatehouse has been stripped by thieves and a large tarpaulin has been put over the exposed roof.
When the sale is completed we shall then know who has purchased this property and what its future will be. The Grange is not a Listed Building but the building and garden are in a Conservation Area.
To learn more about the history of The Grange please click on the following link: