The Blackden Trust

In the eighteenth century, the south west wall of the main timber-frame was encased in brick, concealing the complexity of the timber construction. In subsequent years the building was neglected until by the 1960s it had become an ‘eyesore’.

From 1966 to 1970 there was an attempt to restore the house on its site. But in 1970, despite its Grade II listing, the owner gained permission to demolish.

A week before the scheduled demolition, at the instigation of Michael Peach, who had previously been involved in the attempt to save the house, Alan and Griselda Garner visited the building.

They were planning to extend Toad Hall by two rooms and a bathroom.  Since the The Old Medicine House was to be demolished, Michael Peach suggested that two of its rooms might be rescued and, using the medieval tradition of moving timber-frame houses, could be used to extend Toad Hall. Alan and Griselda felt that they could not be a party to the destruction of such a beautiful building, so, despite having no funds, they decided to move it all.

They bought the house for £1. Michael Peach was responsible for the dismantling, repair and re-erection of The Old Medicine House at Blackden.  Four men and an apprentice took the building down in nine working days, using no machinery except a three-legs with block and tackle.

Those same men and a team of craftsmen repaired, re-erected, and brought the building up to habitable standards in eighteen months, so that Alan and Griselda Garner were able to celebrate Christmas 1972 around the fire in the chimney of The Old Medicine House.

The survival of the Garners and that of the two buildings has been due to the generosity of their family and friends, who are the true supporters of a vision that has become The Blackden Trust. In 2004, Griselda and Alan Garner together with Patsy Roynon founded The Blackden Trust.