Healey Hall - Rochdale

THE DISCOVERY of a 230-year-old Latin inscription, hidden in an attic, has created quite a stir among Healey residents.

The engraving, under the roof of Healey Hall,became the subject of a great deal of interest when proprietor Jason Stead announced his discovery.

So much so, in fact,that the father-of-two has been inundated with phone calls and knocks on the door about the real mystery of the inscription what it actually says.

And Mr Stead, who bought the Hall in 2000, is now happy to oblige, having spent 18 months geting the text translated.

He said; “After the first story people have been stopping me and asking for a translation.

“I only moved here recently, but there are a lot of people who have lived in Healey all their lives and are really interested in the history of the place.

“I only found the writing while renovating the top floor and it is amazing to think that nobody had set eyes on it before.

“I am immensely grateful to Bacup historian, John Taylor, who I contacted and who has worked so hard to translate the text in its entirety.”

The huge stone, which weighs more than 18,000 pounds, describes the ‘blessing’ of Healey Hall by former owner John Chadwick. back in 1774.

It begins; ‘First with the huge stone, enriched by my own hand, fortunately in place there on the 30th day of May 1774 at the base and in the west corner. The same also was baptised by me, who was
dressed in the clothing of a legionary on campaign, with dust sprinkled on my white hair itself and wearing legionary spurs.’

The tablet, which Mr Stead has restored and made pride of place on the hall’s top floor, goes on to describe its own journey on a wooden cart.

‘With a great number flocking to it, on top of that cart of 18 horses out of the Mowroad wood, which is full of stones, over the west bank of the river Roch in Caldbrook by one of two directions, between the hamlet of Blachinworth and the house- of Hundersfleld to this place, once called Heley held by military service as a knight, in the capital and from the Duchy of Lancaster.’

The inscription concludes by urging future owners not to let politics or religion disturb their peace on the estate and to ward off threats with ‘a deadly blow’.

It ends; ‘Joy or Rest.For ever, farewell.