Becketts park

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Mon 13 Aug, 2012 2:14 pm

That old place certainly has connections to Kirkstall Abbey, but you would have to ask yourself why a tunnel might lead to it. Building work on the Abbey itself was largely complete by 1182, that's 444 years before Becketts Park ''Grange'' was even built. And in 1539 the Abbey was surrendered to Henry VIII's commissioners in the Dissolution of the monasteries. The Grange was built in 1626 by Benjamin Wade, and at that time Kirkstall Abbey estate was owned by Sir Robert Savile until 1671. You would have to ask yourself why such a tunnel would be built in 1626, or later between the two places in that era.Certainly a tunnel can't date any earlier than 1626, the house didn't even exist before that date.A tunnel can't be anything to do with the monks, they had long since gone from Kirkstall Abbey a hundred years earlier. Those old houses had vast cellars, it was the workings of the house, the kitchens, servants quarters, and all the services for the house. They all seem to have blocked off walls and arches in them. My guess it was an old servants corridor no longer needed. I believe Temple Newsam House has a similar 'secret tunnel' toohttp://www.hauntedleeds.co.uk/templenewsam.htm

Ranger · Post by **Ranger** » Mon 13 Aug, 2012 2:48 pm

Phil I do not hold the kind of information As above very informative by the way I belived this only by the different stone work to the house it's self I was under the believe only that the passage way could have been in place prio to the house being built . I'm more inclined to go along with you theory after reading the above Tho

Ranger · Post by **Ranger** » Mon 13 Aug, 2012 2:50 pm

Loving the link spooky Thanks

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Mon 13 Aug, 2012 3:31 pm

Such places often had large 'footings' and cellars. Sometimes with light down to lower ground servant level. May have been wine cellars/ ice house etc?No necess the SL 'Holy Grail' of THE tunnel

Chrism · Post by **Chrism** » Mon 13 Aug, 2012 3:36 pm

Phill_dvsn wrote: That old place certainly has connections to Kirkstall Abbey, but you would have to ask yourself why a tunnel might lead to it. Building work on the Abbey itself was largely complete by 1182, that's 444 years before Becketts Park ''Grange'' was even built. And in 1539 the Abbey was surrendered to Henry VIII's commissioners in the Dissolution of the monasteries. The Grange was built in 1626 by Benjamin Wade, and at that time Kirkstall Abbey estate was owned by Sir Robert Savile until 1671. You would have to ask yourself why such a tunnel would be built in 1626, or later between the two places in that era.Certainly a tunnel can't date any earlier than 1626, the house didn't even exist before that date.A tunnel can't be anything to do with the monks, they had long since gone from Kirkstall Abbey a hundred years earlier. Those old houses had vast cellars, it was the workings of the house, the kitchens, servants quarters, and all the services for the house. They all seem to have blocked off walls and arches in them. My guess it was an old servants corridor no longer needed. I believe Temple Newsam House has a similar 'secret tunnel' toohttp://www.hauntedleeds.co.uk/templenewsam.htm And it's all downhill to Kirkstall Abbey from Becketts Park.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Mon 13 Aug, 2012 3:57 pm

About a 200 ft fall. Which on the back of an envelope I get to be approx 1 in 15 slope. I could be very wrong. There was a monastic farm on the site before the current house. Still not sure they would need a tunnel.Would love to poke around the house. The Beckett's paid a fortune to have it modernised in anticipation of queen victoria staying there during a royal visit. In the end she snubbed them and stayed at Carr Manor (I think).

Ranger · Post by **Ranger** » Mon 13 Aug, 2012 4:15 pm

I never new this tell I stumbled across the queens momorial in the wood near by very impressive !

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Mon 13 Aug, 2012 5:54 pm

Ranger wrote: I never new this tell I stumbled across the queens momorial in the wood near by very impressive !

Ranger · Post by **Ranger** » Mon 13 Aug, 2012 6:24 pm

that's the one I couldn't belive it was there just sat all by its self Again tho a shame they could not clean the area around it gravel the base and talk care of are heritage . Thanks for picture

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Wed 15 Aug, 2012 6:10 pm

Ranger wrote: that's the one I couldn't belive it was there just sat all by its self Again tho a shame they could not clean the area around it gravel the base and talk care of are heritage . Thanks for picture I know what you mean. I was taken aback when I first found it on a bike ride home. But re cleaning restoration etc, it's all taxpayer's money. 4 Blokes + materials + wagon 2 weeks, dunno how much.If ever you are in Halifax, visit The Halifx Head Office. Hidden, but worth seeking out is the saved facade of an old Masonic Lodge [see pic]. My view is that this Becketts monument should be in Leeds Museum, out of the elements, restored and backlit. Like that.