Epperstone Manor - A History
History............ Although the present Manor only dates back to 1860 it has always been the site of the main Manor of the village and is mentioned in the Doomsday Book.In 1086 Ralph de Limousin held a manor including about 1800 acres. In the 12th century an important marriage took place when Hugh Odingsells, a They were followed by the Sansome family. In 1312 a sale took place when John Sansome sold the Manor and his estates to Pagamo di Tibtoft of Langor, who was a distinguished man and a great benefactor to Epperstone. He was governor of all the Kings forests north of the River Trent, as well as a great warrior.
In 1373, Edward III committed to Richard Ie Scrop of Bolton Castle, the lands of Robert Tibtoft until the full age of Tibtoft's daughters. Richard Ie Scrop having three sons thought he could not do better than marry them to these daughters. Margaret Tibtoft married Roger Ie Scrop and carried the Manor of Epperstone, and estates, to the historic House of Scrop with whom the estate remained until the last Scrop, whose daughter brought it through marriage to the family of Howe at the close of the 17th century. The 'H' medallion in the stone work of the wrought iron Manor gate is said to represent their name.
The greater part of the parish belonged to the Earl Howe, the illustrious naval commander who was a further great benefactor to Epperstone. In 1815 an important sale took place which severed the connection of Epperstone with the historic family of Howe. During the 19th century the Manor changed hands several times.The old hall was pulled down after the death of the Dowager Countess Howe, and rebuilt.
About 1867 it was acquired by Thomas Huskinson who in turn sold it to Sir Francis Ley in 1894. He then in turn sold it to Stanley Bourne in 1917. During the 1939-45 war the Manor was used as a Red Cross hospital for officers.
The Manor became the former Nottinghamshire County Police Headquarters in 1954 and remained so until the amalgamation with the Nottingham City Police in 1968, when it was developed as the Force Training Centre.
Over the years many alterations and additions have been made, but great care has been taken to preserve the character and style of this beautiful house. Worthy of particular note are the panelled hall with its Jacobean- style staircase, the elegant plasterwork ceiling in the McLachlan Room (this room was built in place of a large Victorian conservatory prior to 1910), and the little cascade and pond, designed in the best traditions of 'surprise' gardening. This little corner is now dedicated to the memory of P.c. Christopher McDonald who was murdered in the execution of his duty at Worksop in 1978.
Epperstone Manor closed as the Training Centre of Nottinghamshire Police in November 2003. |
