IN BRIEF
MASSIVE RESTORATION
PROJECT SAVES BURTON
MANOR FROM RUIN
A massive restoration project by a Wirral business has
saved historic Burton Manor, its gardens and grounds
from ruin.
Russell Taylor Holdings, currently the fastest-growing privately-
owned recruitment agency in the UK, has relocated its headquarters
to the Grade II listed manor in Burton Village as part of a major
growth programme. Chief executive Ben Russell said: “This is an
incredibly exciting phase in the development and growth of a business
that was set up in a spare room at home and which has now become
the UK’s fastest-growing privately-owned national and international
recruitment operation. The heritage site of Burton Manor had been
neglected for many years and was in danger of being completely
ruined. However, the location and the potential there for further
expansion of the business made it a perfect location for us and
our future growth plans. It was an enormous project to undertake
with hard work and conservation skills by our development teams
ensuring the house, gardens and grounds would all be beautifully
restored. As well as filling all our business needs, Burton Manor is one
of those rare places where it’s a joy to come to work - something we
always wanted for our employees from the day we originally set up the
company. It’s in a beautiful setting with landscaped grounds and is a
great working environment for all our teams.”
Housed in Burton Manor are 50 members of staff from Russell Taylor
Holdings, Russell Taylor Group and NMS Recruit along with support
staff from its Recruit Right subsidiary which has its headquarters
in Birkenhead. On site for the workforce are a shop, café and gym.
The shop and café - called Burton’s - are also open to local residents
and visitors to the picturesque village of Burton. The listed gardens,
designed by renowned landscape architect Thomas Mawson,
will continue to be accessible to the public along with the ancient
monument of the ice house.
Burton Manor, once owned by the family of Prime Minister William
Gladstone, had been disused since 2011. Liverpool City Council,
its most recent owners, put the property up for sale three years
later but unsuccessful attempts to purchase and develop led to the
deterioration of the house and grounds, with fears of complete ruin.
12 wirrallife.com
WIRRAL RESIDENT ETHEL
CELEBRATES HER
100TH BIRTHDAY
The Red Fox hosted a special party recently – one which
doesn’t happen often!
Oxton resident Ethel Stadalnikas celebrated her 100th birthday. Aside
from receiving a telegram from the Queen, Ethel gathered her family
and friends around her for her special day. Ethel’s epic journey began
when she was born on 24th June 1919 one of eight children. After her
Father was killed in the First World War, she was sent to an orphanage
in Liverpool with her brothers and sisters where she was raised by
Quakers. Soon the Second World War began and when Ethel was
old enough to leave the orphanage, she went to work in a munitions
factory. The rest of her working life was spent at Jacob's Biscuit Factory
in Aintree, Liverpool where love blossomed as she met her husband
John. They didn’t have any children and in the spare time liked to go
cycling. Ethel was a keen cyclist and the couple not only cycled around
the UK but also headed to Europe by bike. Unfortunately John died
aged 63 but Ethel continued to cycle until her early 70s and only
stopped driving when she was 93! Her many nieces and nephews who
celebrated with her in June are hoping to be just as energetic as Ethel
as they get older!
SKELETON COAST,
HEADLINED BY MILES KANE,
RETURNS TO WIRRAL
Wirral's Skeleton Coast returns for its biggest year yet.
Following on from The Coral's phenomenal homecoming
last year and 3 years of sell out festivals, featuring the likes
of Tim Burgess, She Drew The Gun and Cabbage.
Returning to the picturesque grounds of Wirral's Leasowe Castle, this
year's festival will be headlined by the "Wirral Riddler" Miles Kane - in
what promises to be an epic and unmissable homecoming for The Last
Shadow Puppets frontman, off the back of his acclaimed third solo
record Coup De Grace. Skeleton Coast takes place Saturday August 31st
at Leasowe Castle, Wirral - doors 1pm. Tickets are £30 www.skiddle.
com. Hotel + ticket packages available from www.leasowecastle.com