She was Mary Gosselin-Grimshawe, grand-daughter of Samuel Grimshawe. He had purchased the 2010 acre Errwood Estate in 1832 for £9,520 from John William Jodrell. On his death in 1851, the estate passed to his son – also called Samuel. He died in 1883, leaving everything to his wife, Jessie. And it was on Jessie’s death in 1893 that her two daughters, Mary and Genevieve, inherited the hall and surrounding lands.
Although both sisters married – Mary to Hellier Gosselin and Genevieve to Captain Preston – neither had any children. Stockport Corporation had already identified the Goyt Valley as a perfect site for the construction of two large reservoirs. So when Genevieve died in 1929, and Mary in 1930, the corporation moved quickly to compulsory purchase the entire Grimshawe estate.
Errwood Hall became a Youth Hostel for a few years but was demolished in 1934, along with 13 outlying farm houses and all the buildings within the ancient hamlet of Goyt’s Bridge. It’s said that the planners feared their drains would pollute the waters of the reservoirs. But I suspect it was because it was easier to demolish rather than protect them.
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find portraits of the first Samuel Grimshawe, or his son and his wife, Jessie. And it’s only recently that I’ve been able to identify either of the two sisters in photographs – all of which are shown on this page.
The Grimshawes were a staunch catholic family, and had met the Spanish royal family on a number of occasions during their travels on their ocean-going yacht, The Mariquita.
Myself and my late wife enjoyed lovely walks through Goyt Valley and we were always wondering who built the small Church about a mile from the house. Could you enlighten me?
Thank you
Raymond Benson
Thanks for your message, Raymond. It’s called St Joseph’s Shrine and there’s more information and photos here: https://www.goyt-valley.org.uk/st-josephs-shrine/
I just wondered why you keep blaming “the planners” for the demolition of Errwood Hall. Is it not much more likely that the decision to demolish was taken either by councillors or by water engineers? Stockport Corporation won’t even have had a planning department as early as 1934!
You’re quite right, John. It is far more likely – as you say – that the decision was made by councillors or water engineers. In my defence, I used the term ‘planners’ in a wider sense. But I hold my hands up and apologise if I slandered the planning profession :o)
I visited this site because Samuel Dominic Grimshawe is my namesake. In 1964, while pregnant with me, my late mother used to walk up to the ruins of the Hall and eventually chose my name – Dominic – from S D Grimshawe’s headstone in the private cemetery. I’ve always rather liked the vaguely poetic conceit of this, though I suppose it may sound a bit macabre to some!
My Grandfather was coachman to Hellier Gosslin at Bengeo Hall, Hertford but the address on his marriage certificate in 1927 was Errwood Hall. He spoke of this magnificant house he worked at. Does anyone have any information on the servants, or the whereabouts of any employment records? Have visited the ruins. It must have been a wonderful place in its heyday,