Stanton By Dale - Part 5 - In The Centre Of The Village
w/e 10 August 2003
For the information about
Stanton By Dale I am indebted to my wife Sandra who conducted
much of the research, the staff at Ilkeston Library for help
with archived material and the Erewash Groundwork Trust who provided
an excellent leaflet packed with information.
Having returned along the length of Dale Road following our last
visit, we are now almost back in the centre of the village. But
before we reach it, there is time to admire the flowers on the
wall of this building opposite the Methodist Chapel.
And the building in question, to the right of this picture is
part of Manor Court. Previously it formed some of the outbuildings
to Manor Farm but these have now been converted into modern dwellings.
A triangular oasis where the three main roads through the village
meet form a natural village green. Stanhope Street is to the
left, Dale Road behind and Main Street to the right.
Having already explored the roads from Ilkeston and towards Dale
Abbey our route from the green will follow Main Street and take
us in the direction of Risley and Sandiacre.
Just off the green where signs of the recent changes to the road
markings are still visible is the entrance to Stanton Hall Nursing
Home. Notice that some of the trees are already beginning to
show autumnal shades even though we are still enjoying the heights
of summer with temperatures around 30°C (86°F).
Once through the entrance the grounds open up to reveal a mainly
nineteenth century building. Fund raising events are occasionally
held here but the grounds are not normally open to the public.
The Hall holds an important place in the history of the area
as it was home to one Benjamin Smith who became known as "The
Ironmaster". Leasing mineral rights from Earl Stanhope,
he was the instigator of what in later years became the renowned
international company of Stanton Ironworks. The Crompton family
who later owned the ironworks also lived in Stanton Hall.