Hopwood Depree's DIY Adventure

I first interviewed Hopwood DePree for Style Magazine just over four years ago. I had accompanied him on his visit to the Local Studies Library at Touchstones and was impressed with Hopwood's boundless enthusiasm to restore Hopwood Hall to its former glory. I wrote, "If anyone can save this Grade II * listed building, it will be this man, the hall's namesake".

A great deal has happened to the world since 2018 and that includes the progress of the restoration of the hall. I met Hopwood recently for a catchup.

During much of the lockdown, Hopwood was stranded in his native USA and – like many of us – had to change his daily routine. One positive outcome from those bleak months was that Hopwood had the time to write a book, Downton Shabby subtitled "One American's ultimate DIY adventure restoring his family's English castle".

The book is a fascinating and highly enjoyable read. With his background in acting and production, Hopwood is a natural and engaging communicator. Downton Shabby has been a great success on both sides of the Atlantic and is having a second printing.

Another bonus to come out of the lockdown – when renovation and stabilising work inside Hopwood Hall ground to a halt – was the setting up of a gardening group to tackle over thirty years of neglect and overgrowth around the hall. Over 6000 volunteer hours have been notched up over the last two years. Thanks to a partnership with Groundwork Manchester, some Himalayan balsam “bashing” has also been done to reduce this invasive foreign species in the surrounding woodland.

Post-lockdown, there has been a highly successful Open Day in early summer and there will be another later in the year.

Apprentices and building students from nearby Hopwood Hall College have been working with the busy restoration team. Work has resumed on the Servants Quarters which was in a particularly bad state with widespread dry rot; luckily, this wing of the old hall was saved just in time, even though there was the two year delay in the work there.

During our chat, Hopwood was keen to stress the future use of the hall as a community arts centre. He is Chair of the Hopwood Foundation for Heritage, Arts, Education and Inspiration, a registered charity.

The restoration project has benefited from a six figure sum from Historic England as part of the Cultural Recovery Fund, with additional money from Rochdale Council. By next year, the building will be accessible to the public and, more importantly, waterproof!

After our second meeting, I remain impressed with Hopwood's enthusiasm and energy to restore Hopwood Hall.

His very first visit to the derelict building was nearly a decade ago and he has been leading the project since late 2017.

Hopwood sees himself as a “producer”, spearheading a team of experts and volunteers. Both Hopwoods – DePree and Hall! - have faced extraordinary challenges in the last few years, but the outlook is very good.

Hopwood has committed several years of his busy life to this project. The support and interest in the restoration of the hall from Middleton and Rochdale folk has been extraordinary and thoroughly deserved. It is worth emphasising that all this is being done for the benefit of our community.

You can follow the progress of the hall's restoration on YouTube channel Hopwood XIV. You can join Hopwood Foundation Friends through the website, www.hopwooodxiv.com. For a minimum donation of £10 a year you will receive a newsletter, regular updates and invitations to special events.

Downton Shabby by Hopwood Depree (William Morrow) is available at most bookshops and on Amazon.

Richard Lysons