Aston Hall

Aston Hall is part of my city.  It sits there, majestically, with all its history from down the Centuries.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Hall

I have visited this place lots of times, with my own parents and later with my children, enjoyed guided tours, walked alone - enthralled in the history, imagining the Civil War battle that was fought in its grounds etc. (remember the House came with a huge amount of land when it was built)

1938



It was left neglected but fortunately I did not see it like this. 







I visited it in the 50s as a child and played in the gardens at the rear.  I remember sunny days and flower beds and lots of little paths to wander along while the grown ups eat picnic sandwiches and drank tea from a flask and chatted. 
That's it in a nutshell, all of it in fact!!

I brought my children here in the 70s as a day out and recreated the above picture.  I hoped that it would become part of their heritage too.  I was shocked to discover that the flower beds were all gone, too expensive to maintain, and everywhere was just lawned.  Shame but that, I suppose, is progress.

1990

My Mother visited the Hall with my Auntie on one of the Candlelight Evenings and thoroughly enjoyed herself, and I have promised myself that I will do this one day (or evening!!)

On one of my visits to my local history forum, where I find most of my local pictures, someone had visited the Hall and posted the following photos:

2012

Rear view 2012

I am so pleased to see that the formal gardens are back.  I have to visit in the daytime now, PJ and I  WILL go ............ one day and I will let you know how it has entered the 21st Centruy.

Winter 2010