A West Midlands law firm has helped pave the way for the National Trust to take on the management of its latest historic property.
Stratford-upon-Avon-based Lodders Solicitors negotiated the lease of Eyam Hall, a Jacobean mansion in the Derbyshire village of the same name, which came close to being wiped out in the plague of the 17th century.
The manor house has been home to the Wright family for more than 300 years including its current owners, Robert and Nicola Wright.
It features a unique tapestry room, a nursery with toys from 1860 to the present day, precious artifacts and fascinating family mementos plus a resident ghost, Sarah Mills, who drowned in the well and, it is claimed, still answers the night bell! And all under the watchful gaze of portraits of family ancestors.
The house, with associated craft centre, has been open to the public since 1992 but looking to retire the Wrights, who have moved from the Hall to a house in the village, wanted to ensure the Hall’s story and its role within Eyam’s history continued to be told, so they approached the National Trust.
Following discussions between the Wrights and National Trust, Lodders were brought in to frame a legal agreement.
The firm, which has an expert landed estate practice, had previously represented the Wrights, with partner Ian Flavell acting. Following his introduction, colleague Steven Baker, a commercial property partner and a specialist in landlord-tenant affairs, was brought in to advise.
Mr Baker said: “Undertaking a transfer of control in this manner was somewhat novel as usually buildings go into the care of the National Trust via purchase or gift.
“The lease will see the Trust run the property and be largely responsible for its day-to-day upkeep.
“Everyone wants this to succeed and hopefully these arrangements will help towards securing the future of Eyam Hall. It has been a privilege to be involved in this transfer given the fascinating heritage and historical background. And it shows the strength of the Lodders’ landed estate and agricultural practice.”
Robert Wright said: “Eyam Hall has been a big responsibility for the family and this link up with the National Trust brings renewal.
“We want to see Eyam Hall thrive, bring pleasure to generations of visitors, keep villagers in work and be a major asset to the local economy. We are very pleased that the National Trust will now take over its running but we are equally pleased that the family will retain a close involvement. It still purveys the intimate atmosphere of a much loved family home.”
A spokesman for the National Trust said it was “thrilled” at the successful conclusion to negotiations.
He noted: “It offers us a unique chance to work in partnership with the Wrights as owners of Eyam Hall and the Craft Centre and residents of the local village, to tell the internationally significant plague story.”
The Craft Centre is open seven days a week 10-4 while the Hall and gardens are open Wednesday-Sunday 10.30-4.
It is hard to imagine that the quiet village could have such a fascinating, yet tragic past.
But, at the end of August 1665, bubonic plague arrived at the house of the village tailor George Vicars, via a parcel of cloth from London. The cloth was damp and was hung out in front of the fire to dry, thus releasing the plague-infested fleas. On September 7 Vicars, the first victim, died of a raging fever.
As the plague took hold and decimated the residents it was decided on the advice of rector William Mompesson and the previous incumbent Thomas Stanley that the people should stay within the confines of the village to minimize the spread of the disease, one of the first examples of quarantining in action. To minimize cross infection, food and other supplies were left outside the perimeter to be subsequently picked up by those inside.
In all this desperation a doomed love affair developed.
At a secret meeting place sweethearts Emmott Sydall, from Eyam, and Rowland Torre, who was from a neighbouring village, would call to each other across the rocks, until Emmott herself was struck down. Six of the eight Sydall family died, and their neighbours lost nine family members.
The plague raged for 14 months and, although the historical record is somewhat unclear, it is said to have killed at least 260 villagers with only 83 surviving out of a population of 350.
