July 2009
Another Another major restoration project in the West Riding has just been completed by William Birch and Sons. Shibden Hall outside Halifax was for 300 years the home of the Lister family, parts of the house dating back to 1420. Set on a dramatic hillside site to the east of the town, the house and grounds were given to the town in the 1920’s as a museum and public park. The park was formally opened in 1926 by the then Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII).
Funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund was obtained in 2007 to restore the park to its former standard and to improve its facilities. Their experience on restoration projects for the National Trust and others resulted in Birch’s being awarded the £4.5 million contract. As well as the refurbishment of a number of existing buildings, such as the Gate House Lodge and Ranger’s Barn, a new £1.4 million Interpretation Centre and an extensive play area for children were constructed. The soft landscaping necessitated land drainage and dry stone-walling, as well as new roads and paths, and included complex planting and ground remodelling to match the standard of the best municipal parks. Despite problems from flooding, the result of heavy downpours, and from historical mining faults, which interrupted the course of the contract, it was completed on time and the new facilities were opened by the Duke of Kent at the end of last year.