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Cruck Cottage Handsworth

Oisin

Oisin

gone but not forgotten
I see the old Kruck Cottage (see Handsworth History Site) is up for sale again. The building dates back about 400 years. In its time it has served as everything from a prison to a town hall. There is also a legend that Oliver Cromwell stopped there prior to the assault on Aston Hall.

I have an awful suspicion that this piece of our heritage will be disposed of for some utterly unsuitable application - a retail outlet or something of the sort.

At present, half of it is a domestic dwelling (occupied by a council tennant until very recently), the other used by Handsworth Historical Society as a museum. I will contact them to see if they have any more details about the plans. In the mean time, if anyone else has any information could they please post it on this forum.

If this important part of our history is destroyed then I think anyone with an interest in maintaining our past and culture might as well give up right now.
 
I have e-mailed the secretary of handsworth-history regarding the Cruck House, when I get a reply I will post it
 
Thanks John.

That's Pauline, isn't it? She lives over the road from me. At the moment I think she's in the process of moving house and I haven't had the chance to speak to her. The last I heard she was only on email at work but I'll keep an eye out for her. There's another geezer I know, David Fairhurst. You know what it's like, these people are always about except when you want them. :?
 
cruck house

This is the reply from Paulette Burkill about the Cruck House Handsworth
The Council want to let it on a long term lease and have invited expressions
of interest by 7 November - for retail or trade use! Whoever takes it on
will be responsible for the interior and exterior maintenance, which could
be considerable with a Grade II listed building. Handsworth Historical
Society just hasn't the financial (or manpower) resources to take it on,
much as we'd like to. We are notifying some local churches, schools and UCE
to see if they could identify a need.

We shall also probably have another go at the Museums Department - such a
historical treasure needs to be retained intact, at least as far as the
frontage is concerned.

Thanks for your concern - any bright ideas would be welcome. It would be
nice if it could be used by all organisations with an interest in local
Handsworth history.

We're very happy for you to link your site to ours - please contact our
[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]> .

regards,

Paulette Burkill
Hon. Secretary
Handsworth Historical Society.
 
cruck house

How can this building be sold off to some one who as no interest in local history I have visited this building it's such a beautiful house steeped in history and it's the only Cruck house in the midlands I believe we had some in Aldridge they were demolished several years ago in the name of progress for a new modern shops which look as if they need to be demolished after only a few years
up date there is another one in Lichfield Stowe house
 
That's sad, John, VERY sad. It would appear my worst thoughts have been realised. If only I had the money... :?

If this was somewhere outside the inner city the NT might even be interested, but...

I think the only hope left is to lobby local politicians - not that I hold much faith in them, even though I did get them to preserve some local trees.
 
Tragedy

I'm not sure they would be interested Paul? The dreams of developers and politicians don't include quaint old buildings, they get in the way!! Thats not of course how I feel, it's just an observence, and my personal opinion of those guys.

It might perhaps find a home at Avoncroft, if carefully dismantled, this of course is second best!! but maybe at least it would survive, with some TLC
 
Cruck House

I noticed that Cruck House has been 'under offer' for a while now.......anyone know the intentions :?:

And is it Kruck or Cruck? :?
 
As no preservation society seem able to raise the necessary capital, it will almost certainly be sold off for use as some sort of retail or storage faciity.

I was told this by a socialist councillor who didn't show the sightestest sign of embarrassment.

It just goes to show how our Birmingham council is being run by a herd of bloody philistines. This is the type of thing that made our city a laughing stock with its bid for the City of Culture...

... Oh, please don't start me off, I might say something I shouldn't. :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
 
Kruck House

Paul I was browsing through old postings and saw yours on Kruck House. Take a look at the English Heritage site. www.english-heritage.gov.orgThey would have scheduled the house to ensure nothing untoward happens to it. I think it must be scheduled though as there is a mention of Grade 11 listing. They can also give advice on funding, which might help Handsworth Historical Society. It is worth a go to save such a lovely building becoming a warehouse or worse.
 
Diana,

Thanks for the link. I believe (or so they tell me) The Handsworth Historical Society has already tried and failed to get funding from the Heritage commitee.

To be honest, I think the old place has been foresaken by all. I noticed only this week that there are several windows smashed at the back and one boarded up at the front.

It would seem the council and government have got money to promote every culture and heritage except that of the endogenous population.

I'm sorry if I sound bitter but that's because I am.
 
:oops: Er... Sorry Diana,

Just took another (closer look) at the link you gave me and, even without the "They" on the end, it appears to be an American site. It would seem the US are more inclined to promote their culture than us Brits. :?
 
Sorry Paul, I should write things down instead of trusting to my failing memory.
Eng Heritage is at www.english-heritage.org.uk.

I can't believe that the house is being vandalised and and the City is doing nothing about it. How about we all lobby them, can't do any harm. Are we up for it?
 
Diana,

Thanks for the correction. As a follow up, here is the copy of an email I've sent to them:

Dear Sir/Madam,
Please see link: https://www.birminghamheritage.org.uk/hndswrth.htm

I live close to this very important architectural treasure and am growing increasingly concerned by the deterioration of the building. For some time now I, with others, have been lobbying Birmingham City Council and the Handsworth Historical Society about its preservation.

Up until recently, it provided a residence for an old couple as well as a museum for the society. When the residential half became vacant, Birmingham City Council advertised it for sale. As there was a lack of interest in the sale, they then advertised it to be used as a commercial premises through some scheme I could not understand. While all this has been taking place, the premises have been seriously vandalised. Only this week I noticed that several smashed windows, back and front, are boarded up, the garden is being used as a tip and the garden wall seriously damaged by motor vehicles.

As this is one of the few remaining examples of cruck building in the country, and a refreshing icon of our past, set in an inner city area that badly needs the last vestiges of past culture preserved, I wondered if you could offer any assistance.

Thanking you in anticipation,

Paul Holmes

If anyone else would like to try, here is the email address: [email protected]
 
Thanks for the link Paul.......I will send an email too.....I pass this building many times a day and I too, am saddened by the vandelism.

I will also let my son know who is doing a architectural degree in the city, see if they can lobby anyone.
 
I'll send them an email as well Paul. There is a local EH phone number for Birmingham, if all else fails they might fight the corner.
 
Paul, I had anopther email. this time from a Jane Hanney in the Birmingham office. She said that they only get involved with Grade 1 and 11* buildings, and to contact Chris hargreaves who is the conservation officer on the council. My reply was maybe EH ought to consider rescheduling Kruck House to 11*. Watch this space. :roll:
 
Diana,

Good on ya! I've still no received anything. Can you let me have any subsequent contact details you have and I'll try them? You can either PM them to me or, and maybe better, post them on this thread.

Ta,

Paul.
 
Some good news: I hear the premises are to be let to a sculptor on a commercial basis. The council will not rent it for residential purposes as it would give the tenant the right to buy and control would be lost... so we keep our fingers crossed! :lol:
 
Yes, I'm quite relieved about it. Gail was talking to the sulptor's mother last night and the only sticking point seems to be a few repairs, which have become necesarry because of neglect. The chap has agreed to get the repairs done in lieu of rent but the council won't agree.

Should be an interesting venture if it goes ahead though. :P
 
You only have to look on the Old Crown Inn Digbeth  as an example of what people think of our Brum Heritage
for many years that building stayed in a shocking state with all the inside ripped out and fireplaces stolen
then it was decided to save it and put it back to how it was, but what a joke only the outer skin is the same, the heart and soul were ripped out never to return  so all that we have now is a reminder which would have been better at Avencroft museum.
But there again at what point do you restore something for the future if it is a building from the 16th Cen
as the last time it was found in the state it was in ? or from the 17,18 19th centuty hard decision as now it is all based on what income it will bring in. and that is a sad fact when now trying to save listed buildings
Heritage does not come into it.
I was at the Black Country Museum this week to see the Old Swimming Baths they had saved and spent 100's thousands pounds erecting on the site to be told by the ruddy heath and safety it cannot be opened so what a sheer waste of money, and now they have a white elephant on their hands.
And now they will think twice about trying to save other buildings just to be kicked in the teeth for doing so
 
Our old buildings are very much more important to us than they seem to be to those we put into office. >:(

As a follow up Paul, do you have any news on Kruck House?
 
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