My Grandfather, He Shackleton Lived There
A Memory of Heysham.
I remember going to visit my grandfather, Henry Ewart Shackleton when he lived at Heysham Hall (as we called it) in a downstairs flat. This would have been in the early 1960's.
My understanding is that he purchased Heysham Hall, possibly in about 1926 and was instrumental in setting up the Holiday camp. He was a civil engineer and was involved with later developing the land as a housing estate.
My father remembers living there as a child.
If you have any further information on this period of history I would be most interested to hear it.
Many thanks
Jane Reynolds (nee Shackleton)
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Comments & Feedback
Thank you for making contact. I have to admit to this being a bit of a bolt from the blue as I know absolutely nothing about your 'Aunt Nellie'. When my grandparents divorced (I think about 1932), divorce was taboo and not spoken about and I think there were a lot of hard feelings. I'm afraid your Aunt Nellie was just referred to in our family as 'Cameron'. I don't think I ever met her (or you!) as we were abroad for many years when I was growing up. Grandad/Uncle Harry had 3 children - Ewart m. to Kitty, Greta m. to Charlie & Leslie m. to Bobby (my parents). Greta , his daughter only had 2 sons, so I suspect you met my Aunt Kitty with one of her 3 daughters....
I too went back about 7 years ago and sadly it is all covered in houses and all we could find was an old stone arch which I think was in the garden . Amazingly I saw a lady tending her front garden nearby and when I enquired she said her husband used to be the gardener at the Hall and she remembered my Grandfather!
Do you remember anything about a Holiday Camp that Grandad & Nellie ran? When did it close? Was my Grandfather actually responsible for all the house building that has since taken place? When did the big Hall get pulled down? I think I might have been about 8 or 10 years old when I last went there (1953-55). When did you last visit?
Sorry lots of questions!!
I hope to hear from you. Jane
Do you have any memories of it being a holiday camp? I recall a story of it being very strict with the gate being locked at 10pm and you couldn't get back in after that! A bell would be rung for afternoon tea at 4pm & they did archery on the lawn. My Father remembered riding donkeys on the beach. He was born in 1922 but sadly died 2 years ago. The only memory I have is of visiting Grandad in his downstairs flat in the hall. I think there was a housekeeper so I guess your Aunt Nellie must have pre-deceased him.
It is a bit of a co-incidence that you live in Ripon as my grandparents on my Mother's side of the family, lived in Sharow for many years - I'm sure you must know it being only 4 miles or less outside Ripon. I used to stay with them quite a bit when my parents were travelling abroad! I now live in Kent. I plan to write a booklet on my Father's life this coming winter & amongst his papers I do have various maps and plans of the Heysham Hall estate. Let me know if you are ever this way and perhaps we could meet up!
Best wishes
Jane