WELL-KNOWN Knutsford conservationist Randle Brooks has died at his Peover Hall.
The popular expert on Cheshire and country houses, died peacefully last night, his family have confirmed.
He is mourned by his family and friends and the Peover and Tatton Estates.
With his father Harry, and then his wife, Juliet, Mr Brooks spent the 1960s, 70s and 80s restoring Peover Hall, the former home of the Mainwarings. He restored it to largely to how it was in 1585.
He was faced with an empty shell and therefore collected panelling, furniture, and paintings, much of them with connections to the Mainwaring family, as well as restoring the gardens and park with new planting.
The beautiful ornamental yew in the gardens took him years to tie back into how they are seen now. He also pleached the lime avenue himself for many years.
He very much enjoyed the visitors to the Hall and enlightening them and the tour guides with gems of its history.
He supported countless local people and organisations with very little if any fanfare. With his very keen interest in conservation and history, he provided the Knutsford Heritage Centre with one of the Estate buildings and he used to enjoy attending their lectures.
His stewardship ensured that places remained beautiful and vibrant, from Knutsford Heath itself and the Little Heath, the Sports Clubs and Cricket Fields, to Egerton Hall in Rostherne, which he restored recently with his daughter-in-law as well as with members of the village to create a wonderful community asset.
For many years Mr Brooks has been Patron of the Royal May Day Committee which takes place every year on the Heath where he also allowed the circus and other community events to come every year, whilst carefully safeguarding its look and openness which are so emblematic of Knutsford.
Peaky Blinders being filmed at Peover Hall in 2016
He was a dedicated club man and played polo for nearly 60 years making him the longest standing member of the Cheshire Polo Club, if not any in the country.
The grounds are now at Tarporley, but started as the Manchester Polo Club on the Tatton Estate at Ashley Hall which he also lovingly restored and is now a vibrant Television and Film Studios due to his and his son Henry’s vision.
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