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Archive => Archived Boards => Old Friends & Contacts => Topic started by: on April 22, 2002, 01:10:15 AM

Title: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: on April 22, 2002, 01:10:15 AM
Does anybody remember Brentwood Recuperating centre for tired mothers ? It was on Church lane near All Saints church. My mother was sent there when I was a child in 1947 I had a brother too called Terence. It was a wonderful place and I have some wonderful memories. We went as guests for years after up to about 1953. I lived in a terraced house in Manchester and it was lovely being in the countryside with great walks to the Lakes and farms. It was run by a Miss Abraham, Mrs Lambert was the cook.
I remember Auntie Elsa was in the nursery. Molly Langshaw was there she had a son called Fred. I am now 62 living in Australia since 1969 . I often think about all those times and wonder does anybody else remember too ?.  Regards Eunice.
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: admin on April 23, 2002, 04:54:19 PM
The home where you stayed is now known as MacNair Court, a nursing home for the elderly on Church Lane in Marple, next to All Saint's Parish Church. From 1941 until 1972 it was called "Brentwood Recuperative Center for Mothers and Children".

According to newspaper cuttings in the Marple Library the home, run by Lancashire and Cheshire Community Councils, was a "centre for wives and children of unemployed men in the industrial districts". The women were said to sufferer from many different problems, including "too much child bearing, too much work and no holidays. Others lived in appalling housing conditions and were unable to cope with their children or domestic lives".

They generally seem to have stayed for a few months to a year or two, presumably until they got their lives together again.

I was contacted a while ago by a man whose mother spent some time there in 1957-58 after loosing twins in child-birth and the above is what I was able to learn at that time. She recalled someone by the name of Shakespear in the nursery.

I have sent Eunice some photographs of McNair Court as it is today. It would be good if anyone with memories of those times was able to correspond with her too.
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: Diane Chew on July 14, 2008, 01:15:28 AM
The home where you stayed is now known as MacNair Court, a nursing home for the elderly on Church Lane in Marple, next to All Saint's Parish Church. From 1941 until 1972 it was called "Brentwood Recuperative Center for Mothers and Children".

According to newspaper cuttings in the Marple Library the home, run by Lancashire and Cheshire Community Councils, was a "centre for wives and children of unemployed men in the industrial districts". The women were said to sufferer from many different problems, including "too much child bearing, too much work and no holidays. Others lived in appalling housing conditions and were unable to cope with their children or domestic lives".

They generally seem to have stayed for a few months to a year or two, presumably until they got their lives together again.

I was contacted a while ago by a man whose mother spent some time there in 1957-58 after loosing twins in child-birth and the above is what I was able to learn at that time. She recalled someone by the name of Shakespear in the nursery.

I have sent Eunice some photographs of McNair Court as it is today. It would be good if anyone with memories of those times was able to correspond with her too.

The "Aunt Elsa" mentioned in the first message may have been Miss Buto (spelling?) I remember her as a client of my mother's in the 1950s and 60s. She was a German Jewess and she and her brother were the only two out of a large family to have escaped the Holocaust. I believe her brother lived in Israel.
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: Miss Marple on May 16, 2009, 11:49:04 AM
Once again changes are being made to Marple without consultation from local residents on what may change the appearance of such a grand building and indeed the area.  Rumour has it that the housing association is to demolish the 70s extention and to keep the original facade but time will tell.  We only have to look at seventeen windows to see what devastation can be caused when detail to surrounding area is not taken into account.  I have a keen intrest in Macnair Court as i have pictures of my mother and her family in the gardens at Macnair in 1929 when they came up from inner city Manchester to use what was then a retreat for deprived families.  So I will be taking a keen intrest in the developments and I hope that other Marple residents will also understand the need to protect and preserve buildings of intrest.  Lets also look at Marple Hall and ask why Marple seems to loose so many places of interest. Is it because, one may ask our involvement with Judge Bradshaw and the ongoing issues of the Royal Family still refusing to enter Marple via Dan Bank.  I will leave this to the residents of Marple to decide
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: twinkletoes on May 17, 2009, 12:17:46 PM
I don't think they are getting rid of it, I think Ive heard that they are up dating it and turning it into apartments which if the case good. We need more things like that for my generation, the only nice apartments you can get are in stockport or Manchester. I'm not being funny but the is alot of place for the older people of the community in Marple. Queens court, the place on the main road where the jolly use to be and the one near the holy spirit church, where my nan use to live. The one opposite queen court and there are 2 near the college.
If anything needed asking about was the dumb plan of changing the service road around the traffic in marple on a satuday is going to be out of this world!!! I really don't think its going to work out.
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: Miss Marple on May 20, 2009, 03:01:47 PM
No! the building is owned by a housing association so unless they sell or make an application for a change of use it will be for over 55s.  I think its great to update the building as the rooms are mostly bedsits which the housing association found hard to let.  My concern is that we may lose the magnificent front of the building and the history and memories that surround it. For many people it was a retreat from inner city deprivation at the turn of the century and served as a holiday home for many single mothers and their children.
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: twinkletoes on May 20, 2009, 08:43:16 PM
oh right,Thats alright then. But I really do think there is alot of old peoples flats and apartments around here. Its a nice building and set in the right place too
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: the rover on May 21, 2009, 12:31:24 PM
Where is Mcnair Court? Why don't people bother to add some sort of help to people that don't know every single building or road in Marple when they post?
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: RAY NOBLE on May 21, 2009, 02:49:12 PM
On the left-hand side of Church Lane just before All Saints Church it was years ago called Brentwood. Ray
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: p.boyack on July 03, 2009, 11:56:12 PM
does anyone know what is happening concerning new development and possible demolition of old house my wife visited on several occasions and has many happy memories we visited recently and where lucky enough to look around the place and though it was over 40 years since her last visit it was just as she remembers would like to hear from anyone who spent time there especially mid fifties to early sixties
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: admin on July 04, 2009, 06:51:16 AM
There don't seem to be any planning applications in the Council Database relating to this yet, so all we seem to know at the moment are the rumours mentioned here.

Note : Old and new topics on Brentwood / MacNair Court have been merged.
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: p.boyack on July 07, 2009, 07:04:00 PM
My family went to Brentwood for a few years ,as our family needed to be helped as my mam had a few children one year  to two year apart .My dad had Tb and went in to hospital for along time,we were asked if she would like some help,Brentwood was a lovely place for my sisters and me as we lived in South Shields, to us it was heaven.Our name was Ellwood ,the four oldest girls Mariegold,Doreen,Jeanette,and me Valerie had time to be children .  Brentwood was a house with lots of nice big rooms in it,gardens for us to play in we had lovely staff to look after the samler childen so we could be are selfs.I and my sister Doreen found Brentwood in june after looking for it for such along time.We did not know it was in Marple we were told it was in Stockport ,we could not believe are luck when the houses was still there lovely as always,   I cried  as all the happy  times came back.Thank you to Marple for giving us  such a great time.IF you  remember us please let us know we would like to see if some of the staff are still in Marple.                                                       
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: Miss Marple on July 09, 2009, 09:40:50 PM
 ;) How lovely to hear your memories of Mcnair Court (Brentwood as it was)   I listened as a child to my mother and her six siblings speaking about the wonderful times they had at Brentwood.  My mother is about 3 years old in the picture I have of her, she was born in 1927 sadly she passed away sometime ago.  My Grandmother was widowed when my mother, the youngest of 7 children was 18 months old.  The family lived in Hulme and lived for the holidays they enjoyed at Brentwood.  My grandmother was near destitute but with the help of Brentwood her children also like yourself have fantastic memories of their time there.   I hope that the powers that be take note of the history, memories and nostalgic intrest there is surrounding this building and retain at least the front of the building so when people like yourself discover it once again they can look at the wonderful frontage and recall their precious memories.  My mother and her family would be devistated if they were still alive at the prospect of losing Brentwood to developers.  I am also wondering if the Heritage magazine has ever done an  artical on Brentwood.  I have looked on the internet and there is information about it on there with pictures of the house around 1930s.  Very pleased you found it again and remember it as many locals do as a place that offered so much to many people.
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: p.boyack on February 20, 2010, 09:42:43 PM
was the old house preserved i believe the rest of the building was to be demolished and re developed
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: admin on February 21, 2010, 11:44:26 AM
Still can't find anything in the planning database relating to this. Does anyone else know more?
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: amazon on February 21, 2010, 02:52:35 PM
Still can't find anything in the planning database relating to this. Does anyone else know more?
Mcnair court is now empty . no plans have yet been submitted the back part is coming down black white building to stay . all the info i have obtained this from my brother who used to work there . now works at the place they have at offerton .
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: p.boyack on February 26, 2010, 10:46:14 PM
was your brother the gardener i believe his name was roger if so he communicated with my wife last year and gave us a lot of information and also some photos for which we where very grateful please pass on our thanks brentwood gave my wifes family a lot of happy memories which have stayed with them to this day we would be very grateful if you would keep us informed of any further developments
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: amazon on February 27, 2010, 04:02:10 PM
My Brother is indeed called roger was part time cleaner there now moved to oferton .all so just heard that planing is shortly to be submitted for this site .
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: admin on March 01, 2010, 08:41:27 PM
p.boyack has sent a photo of staff and patients at Brentwood:

They are:
Front Miss Abrahams + Sarah,
David, Auntie Ailsa, Miss Jones (Squatter)
Hilda & Sid.

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: coops on June 24, 2010, 04:04:50 AM
Quote from:  link=topic=70.msg252#msg252 date=1019434215
Does anybody remember Brentwood Recuperating centre for tired mothers ? It was on Church lane near All Saints church. My mother was sent there when I was a child in 1947 I had a brother too called Terence. It was a wonderful place and I have some wonderful memories. We went as guests for years after up to about 1953. I lived in a terraced house in Manchester and it was lovely being in the countryside with great walks to the Lakes and farms. It was run by a Miss Abraham, Mrs Lambert was the cook.
I remember Auntie Elsa was in the nursery. Molly Langshaw was there she had a son called Fred. I am now 62 living in Australia since 1969 . I often think about all those times and wonder does anybody else remember too ?.  Regards Eunice.


I remember it well Eunice, I lived in the cottage at lock 6 until leaving for Melbourne,Australia in 1962. My name is Ian Cooper and I went to Ludworth Primary School approx. 53-58 and then Hyde Grammar...
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: p.boyack on October 22, 2010, 09:54:33 PM
does anyone know what is happening with brentwood or mc nair court as it is now known
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: amazon on October 23, 2010, 02:41:05 PM
Nothing as yet . I Think its now boarded up .
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: redmarauder on December 17, 2010, 07:25:10 PM
I stayed at Brentwood in the 1950's with my Mum brother and sister. I have such wonderful memories of our stay there and have been telling my grandchildren all about it. Does anyone on here have any old photos of Brentwood or any idea where I can find some.
I also remember Auntie Elsa and having to line up every morning to receive a spoonful of malt and cod-liver oil. I'm sure it did us good !!!!!!!
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: admin on December 17, 2010, 07:40:45 PM
Have you searched the Virtual Tour yet?:

http://visitmarple.co.uk/photos/search.php
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: p.boyack on May 01, 2011, 09:15:14 PM
my wife and her family visited brentwood on several occasions in the fifties and early sixties and recently located it again after many years of trying i posted a picture last year of some of the staff my wifes name was valerie ellwood it would be nice to hear any memories you have
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: admin on May 03, 2011, 08:24:26 PM
Four photos taken by Arthur of Brentwood / Macnair Court being demolished have just bee added to the Virtual Tour here:

http://visitmarple.co.uk/photos/thumbnails.php?album=lastup&cat=-20

The Brentwood Villa itself is being refurbished - it's the more recent additions that are being removed.

(http://visitmarple.co.uk/photos/albums/uploads/new/arthurproctor/MacnairCourt27411-03.JPG)

Details are in the planning database and can be accessed using this link but the documents were playing up when I just visited and I could not view them. Hopefully its a temporary glitch.

http://planning.stockport.gov.uk/PlanningData/AcolNetCGI.gov?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=105676
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: admin on May 08, 2011, 08:59:10 AM
More dramatic pictures of the Macnair Court demolition taken by Arthur have been added to the Tour this morning. Thank goodness the original Villa will remain and wasn't subject to this!

http://visitmarple.co.uk/photos/thumbnails.php?album=lastup&cat=-20
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: liz appleby on May 19, 2011, 12:55:21 PM
dear Mark, Will you please reinstate me on the website. Ican only get on as a guest. Have tried to email you but had probs. I think you know my email address so can you let me know. Best wishes Liz Appleby
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: admin on May 19, 2011, 12:59:41 PM
dear Mark, Will you please reinstate me on the website. Ican only get on as a guest. Have tried to email you but had probs. I think you know my email address so can you let me know. Best wishes Liz Appleby

Hi Liz - I will email you tonight but if you could only get on as a guest you wouldn't have been able to post your message. Guests cannot post on the forum at all so you must have been logged in to to post as yourself  ???
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: euno on January 28, 2013, 12:39:11 PM
Hi Mark
 It is a while since I have been on the site and I went on the Virtual Tour . I am sorry to see that Brentwood has gone but I am glad it has now been refurbished at last to be of some use. It took a long time didn't it to be done ?. Is it apartments now or what ?.  I still have lovely memories of Brentwood and it was lovely seeing the photo of Miss Abraham and Auntie Elsa . It was a wonderful place to go especially for us who never had gardens or trees. Wonderful Christmas's. I am 73 now and I was 7 when we first went there.  Very Happy Memories .  Thank you for all your help in finding out all the information .
    Cheers
    Eunice
     x x x
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: RAY NOBLE on January 28, 2013, 07:55:45 PM
I remember going to Brentwood in the late 1940's with my mother to what they called a Beetle Drive.
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: euno on January 29, 2013, 05:24:17 AM
 Hi Ray   I remember the Beetle Drives too.   They had quite a few things they used to run for funds.  I remember the people of Marple at that time were very generous in donations of clothes, toys etc.
Title: Re: Brentwood / MacNair Court
Post by: M H Lambert on October 02, 2013, 09:16:55 AM
Hello all,

My name is Michael Lambert and currently I am undertaking research sponsored by the Economic and Social Research Council about social intervention in the Northwest since 1939.

A key element of this - and sponsored by the successor organisation to the Community Council for Lancashire which was involved with Brentwood, Community Future (http://www.communityfutures.org.uk/) - is researching the history of Brentwood.

My supervisor is John Welshman, currently at the University of Lancaster (http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/fass/history/profiles/john-welshman) who in 2008 wrote an article entitled "Recuperation, rehabilitation and the residential option: the Brentwood Centre for Mothers and Children" which did some preliminary work into the archives and history of the centre. As part of my research I am to produce an "official history" for Community Futures about the centre and incorporate the experience there as part of my wider research.

Currently the archives for the organisation are held at the Lancashire Record Office in Preston which I am working with but something that is not included is how people experienced the centre. I was hoping that I might be able to chat to, or interview the people in the posts who have mentioned staying at, or involvement with, Brentwood. I hope to be able to your experiences to provide an extra dimension to the main source material from Brentwood itself. I am hoping with individual case histories I may be able to build a much better history of Brentwood.

If anyone would be interested or willing to chat or be interviewed about their time at Brentwood, or know anyone who might then don't hesitate in contacting me. Any assistance would be helpful and I would be very grateful.

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.

Michael Lambert