BOLTON

 SMETHILLS HALL

SMOOTHIES :-  JohnW, Anthony,  Danny, Mike.

Why "Smoothies ?.......  Because The original name of the Smethills area was...... SMOOTH HILL.

Parking was easy. Only a few yards from the gates of Smethill Hall.. and we received a friendly and enthusiastic welcome as we entered the Hall itself. First things First..... Start the day with A BREW !

They're coming...'onest.

Why is this fella wearing a cheese board ?

Just look at this... Hands in pockets..... This is a STATELY home my good fellow !  Thank goodness for Danny treating the occasion with proper gravity.

It gets worse.   He's "Lounging" now.

And John's no better.  What's he fiddlin' with ? You can't take them anywhere.

Here we are in the dining room. I just hope they're not making  a pig's ear of it.

It all looks very good to me but just keep an eye on that pig's head.

Guarding the food in the dining room was a soldier from the civil war. At least his armour was.

The tables  in the dining room  were laid as if ready for a meal. The "Plates" were wooden,  All those years ago the Hoi Polloi ate off "Trenchers" which was a corruption of the french word "Tranche" which meant a slice. Their meals were placed on a slice of old dry bread which was eaten when the meal was finished or if rather more affluent, given to the poor. They also used slices of  wood which could be washed and used again.  ( A known fact checked with Wikipedia )  A "Trencherman" is STILL used for a good eater or one with a healthy appetite.

Castles and Manor houses can be cold draughty places so large fireplaces were essential.

No "Trenchers" here at the top table, Gold plates indeed. In the early days tables were not used but an easily stored board was set up on trestles. The "Boss, Chief, or Lord of the manner" had the only chair. The rest used benches. Hence the phrase. "Chairman of the board" ( Wikipedia )

Throughout the hall there were information boards telling the history of the house. Almost always fascinating. Indeed they slowed our progress considerably.

The house continued to be fascinating even up the steep stairs to the private family quarters and the bedroom.

John has a miniature verson of this child's cradle at home.

"No Teddy bears were injured whilst taking this photograph"

At the side of the bed about level with Mikes knee you will see ropes which are threaded across the bed in a net like fasten. It was said that a better nights sleep was had if the ropes were tight, It was also said that tight ropes deterred some of the bugs which were abudent in old houses. 

(No DDT yet then)

"Good night. Sleep tight. Mind the bugs don't bite."

🐛

The chair to the right of Anthony is an ancient form of ejector seat.

This room was famous for the quality of it's linen fold carving accomplished by skilled Flemish wood carvers.

The Lord and Lady of the house sat at opposite ends of the table for breakfast. It would seem  they were not on good terms.

I'm sure Little Bess was lovely but I can't read it.

f you look carefully  at the stained glass you will see that the top three show extracts from Christ's life while second three illustrate the last super

This is Cranmers coat of arms. Too long a tale to tell here.

JW asked, over the phone, was there a guide available. They thought not.

Well here is the guide. A charming and knowledgable man who comes every Thursday.  BRILLIANT !

It was a decidedly large house and very attractive from the outside too.

The Gardens, too,  were equally nice.

At this point we left the house and ventured into the woodlands which apart from the pathways, allowing access, were seemingly unspoilt, original woodlands.

The way out of the woodlads took us past the stables belonging to the house.

They had been converted int rather swish apartments.

Back to the Hall which we could now see through the trees. Danny generously offered to go and fetch Anthony who had chosen to sit in the sun ouside the Hall.

One final shot of the stables and away we went.  Home after another

enjoyable day.

A Real Gem,   and it was free

Heres to next week's outing

JW