HERE'S a little piece of Nantwich history that is soon to disappear from the local scene. This is 74-76 London Road, Stapeley, Nantwich - otherwise known as Stapeley Manor. It is seen from a staff car park at Stapeley Water Gardens.

   The picture is a side/front corner view of the Manor - (the front faces the right of the picture). The picture, right, is seen from the drive to the water gardens and features one of the gables at the front of the building.

   The Manor, which is not a listed building, will be demolished when the Stapeley Water Gardens houses plan goes ahead. It is now standing empty, and caused Nantwich Civic Society some concern earlier this year.

  In a report presented to Nantwich Town Council in February - by the Town Councillor who is a delegate to the society - it was stated: "Stapeley Manor is a cause for concern. It is now a shell . . . stripped of any value. It will probably be demolished, could have had hotel potential." The Council Minutes add "Known as Khaki Manor – built in 1916 on proceeds of WW1 (the First World War)."

   That last phrase was a little puzzling, but I am pleased to say that after local historian Andrew Lamberton read the Letter from Nantwich on this website about the water gardens site, he sent me the following information and pictures to enlighten me. Thanks, Andrew.

Manor was divided up to be home for three families

Ben Baxter- who built "Khaki Manor" - pictured in his office

A recent photograph of the front of Stapeley Manor.         Picture: Andrew Lamberton

Andrew Lamberton writes: THE house was built in 1916 from the proceeds of the manufacture of army uniforms by Mr Ben Baxter, the Managing Director at the time of Harding's Clothing Factory (later known as the Baronia factory) It was therefore nicknamed Khaki Manor.

   Ben Baxter (left) died in 1937 and was succeeded by his son, Jim. The house was later sold to Norman Afford and a Mr Birchall and divided into two halves. It was afterwards subdivided into three parts and the White family lived in one of these.

   Later on they were able to reunite the parts and sold it to the Davies brothers (of Stapeley Water Gardens) in the 1970s. Both Nigel and Ray lived there, but it has now stood empty for about four years and has become subject to vandalism. [See below].

A LOCAL man, Chris Dykins, has gone to great lengths to try to save this important building, having been in contact with The National Trust, The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (to try for listing) The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, SAVE (Britain's Heritage), English Heritage, Prince Charles, etc. All, sadly, to no avail. It wasn't considered of sufficient importance both architecturally and of local significance.

    I was able to help him with the history of the house. I have included a paragraph in my latest book "Lost Houses in Cheshire".

    (Andrew was co-author of two other books about lost houses and buildings.)

A drawing by Chris Dykins of

the side of Stapeley Manor (the side facing London Road)

Brother drowned

I AM told by another local historian, Herbert Rowsell, that Nigel Davies was sadly drowned in an accident in America about 20 years ago. (My apologies for stating that Ray Davies was the brother who drowned. And my thanks to Chris Shenton for putting me right on that.)

    Herbert also reminded me that Norman Afford (whose wife was Phyllis) was part owner of Stennett and Afford, the High Street grocers (now no longer there) and a partner in the accountancy firm now called Afford Astbury Bond in Wellington Road, Nantwich.  -  Dabber