When the First Christ the Scientist Sect built the new building which is now the Nursery on the corner, Sandfield Tower subsequently fell vacant and was sold on to the present owner. During the time that it was vacant, it was a target for vandals who have broken in over the years. Although the property has now been fully secured, a while ago there was no side fence to the property and anyone could literally walk in off the street in to the gardens. While there was a heavy iron door which locked the way to the entrance, one of the steel shuttering windows had been taken off over time and access in to the property appeared to be through this window. During this time, Sandfield Tower was fire damaged in most of the building, with only the left hand side appearing to have the roof intact. However over time, people have got in to wreck what was left of the internal decoration. The building was left bare only for the weather to attack it further and pigeon droppings helping to further damage the interior. It is possible to be transformed back to the 1950s when the building was in use and to imagine what it was like then, a private place for worship in what was a private Villa. The entrance will have taken you off the road in to the sweeping long driveway up to the main door. One would walk up the stone steps and enter main door and find themselves in the porch way. Here, beautiful plasterwork is present over the inside of the door and on every wall. Above you is a white period ceiling with intricate plasterwork and covings. A single light is lit to brighten the porch area. To the right hand side, there is a doorway, which leads in to the large spacious front room, but straight ahead is more interesting. Here we see two arches, set in to the wall, which hold statues of Christ. Between them is a roaring fire, which is a very welcome feature and warms the entrance hall.
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internal coving
the front door
the alcoves
the ceiling
At this point, one can turn left in to the left-hand side of the building, or turn right towards the original staircase and rear of the property. Turning left brings one in to a small but spacious room, and a doorway leading to the next room on the right. A fireplace in the left hand, again to warm the room in the side corner, but the attention turns to the large window that looks out towards the side of the property. This is a good 8-ft window, four panes of glass and surrounded by original paneling around the entire window. With the sun streaming in and lighting up the whole of the white washed plasterwork on the wall, it is such a nice setting as a private side room.
One now walks through the door opposite the fireplace to enter the rear of the building. Here we find a very large and spacious room, which has three exits. The first being the door just walked through, the second is around the corner, which leads to the hallway and stairs, and the third exit being in the far corner of the room. In this room, as with the previous, is the same large 8-ft window, beautiful panel surrounds but there are now a total of 4 windows. The ceiling, which spans the room, is divided in to four separate parts, each with covings and intricate design work on the plaster adorning the spaces where the ceiling ends and the walls begin. On the left hand side of the room is a small alcove, which plates and ornaments are displayed and the sunlight really brings these to life. This is the same size as the other large room at the front of the house.
One leaves the room through the centre door and finds themselves in the hallway. Here it is possible to go up the stairs on the right hand side, cross the hallway to the rear of the front room, or turn left and head down the hallway towards the right hand side of the house. Taking a left turn, there are steps that lead down to the basement, another entrance to the front room, plus three more exits. The left exit leads to a small room at the rear of the house, for the use of the kitchen area. The doorway straight ahead leads to the outbuildings, and the doorway to the right leads to the side exit to the front of the house. The left hand side door being arched, the centre door being of straight topped, and a beautiful plaster archway leads to the front side exit. Leading towards the front side exit, is another side room, which is used for a side cloakroom.
side room
fireplace
rear room
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under stairs
missing stairs
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location
SANDFIELD TOWER
Sandfield Tower was recently shown on BBC's North West Tonight.
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THE HOME OF JOSEPH EDWARDS
