- Haden hill
The grounds of Haden Hill are situated near
Halesowen in the heart of the West Midlands,England . Previously privately owned, but soon to be sold by public subscription and later donated to the local council in 1922, and covers approximately 30hectare s. [cite web|url=http://www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-culture/parks-countryside-and-allotments/parks-in-sandwell/parks-in-rowley-regis/haden-hill-park/;jsessionid=bFdoo3xTgVIg | title=Haden Hill Park | accessdate=2007-01-09 | publisher=Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council ]Worcestershire County Cricket Club planned to play aBenson & Hedges Cup game at Old Hill Cricket Club, adjacent to Haden Hill Park in 1988, but this was abandoned without a ball being bowled and no major cricket has in fact been staged at the venue. Within the ground in the Tudor Haden Hall and the Victorian Haden House.History
Originally Haden Hill house was built in 1878 by George Alfred Haden Haden-Best. Who was given permission to build a dwelling on a hill in Rowley, which later became known as Haden Hill.
The original family home was Haden Hall, now under restoration, but in 1877 when George Alfred inherited the estate he built Haden Hill House- a modern residence worthy of his status. He originally intended to demolish Haden Hall and extend his own house, but his elderly Aunt lived in the hall, and by the time she died in 1903 George had lost the will to enlarge Haden Hill House, so the two buildings remained side by side.
George Alfred lived in Haden Hill House with two local girls, Emily Bryant and Alice Cockin, who became his adopted daughters. They were the children of local families, and he took them into his home and bought them up as his own. They were given an upper class lifestyle, and Emily remained with Mr Best until his death in 1921. Alice married John Shaw, a local doctor, and they lived in Haden Hall for a while.
When Mr Best died, the house and grounds were put up for auction. A three day sale was held and Money raised from this sale was then divided between Mr Best’s nephews, The Bassano brothers.
Following the death of GAHHB in 1921 the Victorian building and estate, including 55 acres of land, Haden Hill house and Haden Hall, was bought for £8,500 by public subscription for use as a park for the local community. The title deeds were handed to Rowley Regis Urban District Council on
14 October 1922 , and the park was then open for public use.Family pets
Near to Haden Hill House lies, a grave. A pets grave which belonged to the Haden family many years ago, it reads....Tip - 1877 Floss - 1898 Fluff - 1899
Recent history
In the last hundred years, Haden Hall And House have both been used as a refuge for evacuees in
World War II and a shelter during bombing raids. Most recently the park and its grounds has undergone a major facelift, to restore it to its former glory. Thanks to a £2 million lottery grant.The Heritage Lottery Fund’s urban parks programme awarded £2,151,000 to the park which will help restore the Victorian listed buildings and protect the park’s long term future. The cash will also go to repairing footpaths, water features and working on the woodland.
Ghost conspiracies
Haden Hill Hall, House and Park are all reputed to contain ghosts with several well-authenticated sightings and "experiences" reported.
The wooded area towards the lower of the park is sometimes referred to as Nursery Wood, this is associated with the sightings of the ghost of Eleanor, a beautiful young woman in her mid ages lived at Hayseech Mill. The tragic story of Eleanor's love for a monk from Halesowen is reputedly based on fact.
The parents of Eleanor and the Abbot of the abbey tried to prevent the lovers from being together but they both escaped, using a secret passage. However they were later caught and following his cature the Monk was walled up alive in the passage.
Down the centuries the ghost of Eleanor has been seen gliding through the wood searching for her lost love.
Notes
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