Family vows to restore historic school building

A 150-year-old former school at Warrington, originally built in memory of a little girl tragically killed in a horse riding accident, has been bought by a local family who have pledged to restore it to its former glory.
The landmark Manna House, in Warrington Road, Penketh, is to be restored and renovated and will be converted for a private hire function venue.
Penketh locals Andy and Jade Mulholland bought it after it was put up for sale by St Paul’s Church.
They have committed to investing in the building, sympathetically restoring the interior and uncovering the rich heritage.
The building was originally commissioned by Robert Gaskell of Penketh House in memory of his eight-year-old daughter, Margaret Ann Gaskell who  died in a horse riding accident in 1859.
It opened as Penketh Infant School until it became too small for the growing population and closed in 1908 when a new larger school opened on Stocks Lane.
Robert donated it to the local church and it became known as St Mary’s Institute.
Andy said: “My dad is really great at investigating and since we bought it, he has been doing a lot of research to uncover the heritage. We would love it if anyone has any further information, photos, stories or documentation they could share it with us.”
Over the years and since it was last refurbished in 1985, the Manna House has been used by the church as a meeting house and private hire function venue. In late 2014 the church took the decision to sell the venue to help contribute to the new church building fund.
It has stood unused for almost two years.
The Mulhollands who have drafted in their parents and even their two-year old son Charlie to help with the project, plan to relaunch the venue as an intimate, exclusive private hire function setting.
Andy who has lived in Penketh all his life said: “It’s a real labour of love for us. We were delighted when the sale went through and since we have had the keys, we have had the whole family down there clearing up.
“We’ve taken the ceiling tiles off to display the beautiful vaulted beamed ceiling and we are relocating the kitchen in order to put the original stone arches on display.”
Jade added, “We are keen to restore the building to its former glory. We want to give it a period feel linking to the Victorian roots of the property but with some contemporary twists. From a local perspective, we are pleased to be able protect the future of The Manna House.”
It is hoped the venue can be launched in the autumn.