Call for repairs on manor that held Queen of Scots

Fears have been raised that a manor once used to imprison Mary Queen of Scots may never reopen to the public.

The Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust is calling on English Heritage to carry out urgent repairs to Wingfield Manor near Alfreton.

Historians say the manor was once a jewel in Derbyshire's crown and on par with Haddon Hall and Chatsworth.

English Heritage said it has spent more than £100,000 on repairs and maintenance and it is developing a "full conservation project for those elements of the site in our care".

The site is currently closed to the public with signs warning potential visitors to keep away.

The trust has now asked Amber Valley MP Linsey Farnsworth to raise concerns about the state of Wingfield Manor in the House of Commons.

Barry Joyce, vice chair of the trust, said English Heritage has the "unenviable duty of carrying out the government's instructions and duties", but added the organisation was short of funds.

However, the retired conservation and design manager at Derbyshire County Council is confident the manor's royal connection could help bring in visitors.

"There was an attempt to spring her [Mary Queen of Scots] from captivity by Anthony Babington, who was the squire of a parish near here," said Mr Joyce.

"And for his pains he failed and was hung, drawn and quartered."

Retired couple Colin and Jenny Morris live nearby in South Wingfield and have fond memories of Wingfield Manor from their younger days.

"After all the money that was spent on it by English Heritage I cannot believe that they've let it get to such a state," said Mr Morris, a former railway engineer.

"When we were younger my lad used to play on the towers there.

"We get a lot of visitors round here and people are interested in the Mary Queen of Scots aspect of it".

Mrs Morris has fond memories of playing at the manor as a child when she lived across the road.

"I was very small at the time and remember my uncle Sam lifting me over the fence," she said.

"It was a playground for children and sadly I don't think it's been looked after for some time."

In a statement, English Heritage said Wingfield Manor is significant as a late-medieval aristocratic house surviving in England.  

A spokesperson added: "It has long been largely ruined and roofless and modern agricultural use has concealed parts of the historic complex.

"The two edges of the site are in the guardianship of the state and managed by English Heritage while the central section remains in private ownership.  

"With it being originally conceived and built as a whole, this makes it a relatively complicated site on a number of levels, not least in terms of maintenance and conservation.

"We have previously discussed options for reuniting the site as a whole with the owner, but unfortunately we were not able to arrive at a consensus.

"Since English Heritage became a charity, we have spent more than £100,000 on repairs and maintenance work and we are developing a full conservation project for those elements of the site in our care.

"However, there are major challenges and costs involved with securing its future."

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