Can you tell us a little about yourselves and your journey to becoming the owners of Banney Royd Hall?
We come from modest backgrounds, myself being a part of a large family of 13 children living in a four bedroom council home with our parents in Marsden. Mike is the eldest of four, and comes from the valleys in South Wales.
We met whilst working for a company in Huddersfield and our story began back in 1991. Our professional relationship became a romantic one, and the rest they say is history. Mike & I started a videoconferencing business in 1996 which became very successful, we sold the business in 2011. We had for some time been looking for a large older property that still had its grounds, which is more of a challenge than you might think. Most of this type of property around here has either become offices, or has sold the land to developers.
We came across Banney Royd and we fell in love. The grounds and the style of the house meant that with our large growing family we had the right home to make amazing family memories with our children and our grandchildren. It meant that we could host celebrations for both our children and our extended families. Some of our children have had their wedding celebrations here, we have hosted extended family parties, 80th birthday’s, a golden wedding anniversary, a 60th birthday and our very traditional Christmas Eve gatherings. We couldn’t have asked more from a home, our Christmas celebrations will be something that our grandchildren talk about forever.
Do you remember your very first impression when you walked through the doors?
Yes actually, we both remember feeling that it was big and empty, dusty and dim, and even a bit sad. It’s strange how that feeling changed on the following visits. It’s difficult to explain that on the next visit it almost seemed like it was warming to us, and then on the next almost like it was welcoming. It was a little daunting at the time, the main house was kept well, but the grounds were like a wilderness, it was going to be somewhat of a challenge to recapture the former glory of the gardens. But we had retired and it gave us a purpose and a project. .
What does Banney Royd Hall mean to you personally?
Marina: I love Banney Royd, Its high ceilings and large rooms were designed for entertaining and I love to entertain. It’s perfect for our family. Three of our children either got married or had their wedding receptions here, its home! And then on top of that, its architecture and history are fascinating. My mobility isn’t great and so I have something beautiful to look at everyday, both inside and out without having to travel to other places.
Mike loves it because it gives him choices. We can choose to grow our own fruit & vegetables, keep our own animals, eat our own eggs, we have the space to enjoy. He has space to disappear, to be creative, having found the space and solitude to write his books.
Banney Royd Hall is such a distinctive local landmark. What aspects of its history fascinates you most?
Marina: For me personally, I am fascinated by the early families that lived here, and the way that the house was run. I loved listening to the niece of Sir Emmanuel and Lady Hoyle who told me her stories of visiting and attending parties and gossip of the family and staff. But also the design of the house, what the rooms were used for, why the bedrooms are set out as they are etc….
Mike: I majored in economic and social history, and I am interested in how the house worked ‘back in the day’. The house was finished in 1902 which is right at the start of the Edwardian period when the country, despite its flaws, was stable and confident. This was all wiped out along with the millions who fell during the Great War. The house through its requisition in World War II and its subsequent public ownership during large parts of the twentieth century reflects the changing economic and social conditions better than any textbook I’ve ever read.
How important is it to preserve the character and heritage of a historic property while adapting it for modern use?
It is of the utmost importance, I might even say perhaps people should adapt to its original use. The house is designed to run in a certain way, it was carefully thought out in the finest detail. The kitchen being built on the east side where the early risers are beginning to waken the house. The day rooms built facing south and the billiard room facing north. Everything is considered, the gentleman don’t need the light on an evening in the billiard room, whereas the dining & drawing room need light. Modern houses are not given that thought.
What do you think local people may not know about Banney Royd Hall?
I think that most people are not aware that it is Grade I listed, I don’t think they are aware of its international historical importance. Banney Royd is heavily featured in Hermann Muthesius’s highly influential 1904 book Das Englische Haus. Banney Royd was chosen for the publication because of its radical, forward-looking layout and its masterful craftsmanship. Munthesius, a German architect and diplomat, documented the most significant examples of modern domestic architecture in Britain to introduce these revolutionary Arts & Crafts design concepts to Europe.
How would you describe Banney Royd Hall’s relationship with the local community?
I think that there are many people in our local community who are very emotionally attached to Banney Royd. Because of its many uses in the past we have met so many people over the years who have had involvement with the house. A lady that was a relation of the Hoyle family that told us stories of the house, the parties, the chauffeur, the staff. People whose relatives worked at Banney Royd either as a domestic or when it was publicly owned by the fire service or Kirklees. People who received fire training or teacher training! But all those that we have met, have really fond memories of Banney Royd and mostly seem to have an emotional attachment.
Why do you think historic buildings like this remain important to Huddersfield’s identity?
Huddersfield was once a very rich, thriving town. The mansion houses in places like Edgerton will always show this part of our history.
Historic buildings give a community a sense of continuity. They remind us that we’re part of a much bigger picture. They show us what previous generations were capable of achieving, and the kind of town they built.
Banney Royd stands as one piece of evidence that Huddersfield was a prosperous and ambitious place. It stands as a reminder of what local enterprise, professional success and skilled craftsmanship could produce,.its tangible proof that this was a place where people invested in quality, beauty, and the future. Banney Royd is not a monument to a forgotten past, its evidence of what this town and its people are capable of achieving.
What do you enjoy most about working and living in such a unique setting?
I personally enjoy sharing Banney Royd, I love to tell people all about its history, I enjoy watching people running their hands over the wooden carvings or the stone sculptures, really appreciating the amount of work and the artistry that went into building Banney Royd.
Mike: I enjoy going into a room and smelling the history, the smells in the oak, almost chocolatey. I like the height of the ceilings and the proportions of the rooms. I enjoy the features in the house, I wake up to exposed roof beams giving you a light start to your day, and when sat in the library working, you can become distracted by the architecture.
What are your ambitions for Banney Royd Hall over the next few years?
Our ambition is to ensure that its historical importance is recognised and maintained.
Banney Royd is not just a building, not just a home and not a commercial space, it is a beautiful work of art that is recognised around the world and that is something that should be maintained. Banney Royd is something that our children may inherit and we want them to be as proud of becoming its custodians as we are. The house needs to be enjoyed, but always appreciated for its beauty and simultaneously recognised for its architectural importance too.
How do you hope future generations will experience and enjoy the building?
We would like to see the house enjoyed for what it was designed for, to be lived in, and to entertain. We would like it to be accessible, shared and enjoyed, not just with the elite, but for all that would enjoy it. For example we introduced Father Christmas to Banney Royd. This year he will be inviting children to his very own Christmas Party, and we will organise other community events. We believe, the more people that visit Banney Royd, the more it will be protected for future generations.
Most surprising thing you’ve learned since taking ownership?
For me the most amazing thing is since we became a member of historic houses, how many people book to come on the historical tours.
If you could invite any historical figure to Banney Royd Hall for dinner, who would it be and why?
I would invite Edgar Wood so that he can talk me through his original design, the layout of the house, the main house and its service quarters. The cottage, and was there really a miniature farm?
Mike: Edward VII, just in case he missed it the first time round.
Marina: Mike has this idea that maybe Edward the VII visited here once upon a time to meet with WH Armitage to see the house that Hermann Mutheius wrote so much about.
Please can you sum up Huddersfield in 3 words?
Marina: Textiles, Tradition, & Rolls Royce’s
Mike: If I think of Huddersfield I think of the railway, The Lion on Lion Chambers & Harold Wilson’s statue. If I were to broaden it, I would think of the railways, Commerce and I would still think of Harold Wilson.
