Old Hall
This is the seat of the Biddulph family; it was built in the early sixteenth century, probably to replace an earlier Saxon, possibly fortified, house that has been identified on Bailey's Hill, to the south west of the Old Hall. It was partially destroyed in the Civil War, by the immense cannon Roaring Meg - some of whose cannonballs have been discovered in the nearbly millpond of Biddulph Old Mill (by the Talbot).
My clearest memories of the Old Hall is driving from Biddulph to Congleton when I was about six; it was winter and the view of the hunting tower of the road was excellent. I remember that when we came back that way later on in the day and it had been snowing quite heavily; the snow had outlined the tower and the sunshine was glinting off it - it was simply stunning.
My mum has also told me that when she was a young girl in the sixties and seventies there was a Buddhist commune living in the Hall.
This beautiful house is now being excellently restored.
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RE: RE: Old Hall
My father spent some time with the family at the new Hall (Baxter?) when he was about 10 or 12, so around the late 1940s.
His mother was a Buddhist and may have been involved in the Buddhist commune that was set up there, though she moved to Canada in the early '60s. We followed in the mid-'70s.
If you know anything about the Baxter family, I'd love to hear and pass on to my dad!
I'd also love to see pictures of the new Hall, also to pass on to my Dad.
Thank you.
Comment from Helen Booth on Thursday, 26th May 2011.
RE: RE: Old Hall
It wasn't really a Buddhist commune. Back in the sixties the hall was owned by the English Sangha Trust and used as a retreat centre. I made my first retreat there for two weeks in August 1968.
Comment from Luangpor Khemadhammo on Thursday, 22nd March 2012.