Ruyton Towers, (Ruyton Manor) Olden Lane, Ruyton-XI-Towns, Shropshire

RUYTON TOWERS, NEAR BASCHURCH. DINNER TO WORKMEN AND RUSTIC SPORTS - On Monday last, J. Walford. Esq. entertained the workmen. who are engaged in erecting the mansion above mentioned for him, at a sumptuous dinner in his dining room, and many received a day's pay and some half-a-day's pay in addition The generous host occupied the head of the centre table, and was supported on his left by the Rural Dean, the Rev C. O. Kenyon, of Great Ness; and on his right by the Architect of the building, Mr. Harry Percival. …. In the course of the speeches, Mr Percival, the architect, responded at some length. He was happy to say that a more honourable and kind-hearted gentleman than his client could not exist; fortunate. Indeed. was the man who has the pleasure of serving him. He also happy to say that not a single accident had occurred during the progress of this part of the building, which might in some way be accounted for his having erected the building without external scaffolding, a system which he had before carried out on several noblemen's and gentlemen's mansions, and very successfully. If any credit was due to him. it was also due to all employed on the building, for without their co-operation it could not have existed.

The building is beautifully situated on the slope of a hill, and backed by a rising outline of gorse, heather, and plantation, and well protected from the northerly, east and west winds, and many a good fox has been run from there by Sir Watkin Wynn's hounds. The character of the structure is somewhat Norman, and the walls are built of red sandstone, then a cavity of two inches and lined inside with brick. A railway half a mile in length was put in from the building to the quarry (on the estate) by the architect, who had carried on the whole of the work without any contractor. A fine well was also sunk, in the first instance, through sandstone rock, nearly fifty yards in depth, and a bountiful supply of excellent water is obtained by a 3-throw pump, of Gwynne and Company's make, London. The principal feature of the mansion is a noble entrance hall with massive Norman columns in Welsh marble, and an arcade in Wrexham stone, this leads on to a white marble staircase, 7 feet wide, and a landing 13 feet wide, on this and the stairs running right and left is a lofty six-light Bath stone Norman window, with massive columns and plain ornament; the lights are filled in with stained glass of excellent design and effect by O'Connor of London. The hall is about 50 feet by 20 feet, and part of it is open to a waggon-headed roof, in panels and pitch-pine ribs. The remainder of the house is in the same proportion, and as yet, only part of it is ready for occupation. The architect is Mr Harry Percival of Newchurch, by Manchester, who is also the builder of it. [Shrewsbury Chronicle Friday 14 October 1870 page 5]

Reference    Shrewsbury Chronicle Friday 14 October 1870 page 5 – Workmen’s dinner
Reference    Oswestry Advertiser 19 October 1870 page 3 – abridged version of same

NOTE – The coach house, outbuildings, terraces etc are separately listed Grade II