The fire at Bewsey New Hall EVERY month, the Warrington Guardian takes a look back at some of the most shocking and bizarre crimes reported to police in the town over the past few weeks.
Here are seven such incidents from Warrington during April:
Arsonists target historic hall The historic Bewsey New Hall was targeted by arsonists on the evening of Wednesday, April 21. Three youths were reportedly spotted running away from the scene after the fire broke out at around 8pm. Fire damage could be seen to the exterior of the building, which dates back to the 1860s, the morning after the incident.
Bewsey New Hall pictured this morning after last night s fire A HISTORIC hall was damaged after being torched in a suspected arson attack last night. The fire broke out at Bewsey New Hall – which is located in Ladies’ Walk Wood in Old Hall and borders the car park of Gulliver’s World – at around 8pm yesterday, Wednesday. Eyewitnesses reported seeing three youths running away from the scene as the blaze raged. Three fire engines attended the incident, with crews spending around two-and-a-half hours at the scene. The extent of the damage is unclear, but some charring could be seen to the exterior this morning.
But only metres away from the children’s theme park sits a little-known historic lodge. Many residents will be familiar with Bewsey Old Hall, the former stately home which dates back to the late 16th and was latterly converted into apartments. But far fewer will be aware of Bewsey New Hall, which borders Gulliver’s World car park and the portion of the park which will be converted into a Centre Parcs-style resort. The half-timbered manor house was constructed as a replacement for Bewsey Old Hall at the behest of the 4th Baron Lilford in the 1860s. But Lady Lilford disliked the now listed building so much that she refused to live in it.