Jim Parker: The sad decline of Oldway

I am afraid the pictures speak a thousand words and tell a sad, sad story.

They are from the inside of Oldway Mansion. The heartbreak in all this is in the title 'mansion'

This was once the mansion of the world-famous Singer sewing machine family. Isaac Singer bought the estate in around 1871. Old buildings were demolished and architects were tasked with building a mansion.

Its grandeur cannot be understated. Singer sourced the finest materials from around the world and wanted the interior to be of an 'exuberant French style.'

He died in1875, shortly before work on the original mansion was completed, but his son Paris carried on with that opulence with the rebuild now modelled on the Palace of Versailles.

The inside of the building is noted for its grand staircase made from marble with its ceiling decorated with an ornate painting based on an original design for the Palace forLouis XIV. And above it is a reproduction of the first version of the painting The Crowning Josephine by Napoleon. The ballroom contains walls of gilt panelling and mirrors with an oil painting of Louis de Bourbon dating from 1717.

And then you have the Rotunda which was built in 1873, and was used originally as a horse riding pavilion and exercise area. 

Now what do we have? An  empty, derelict building whose heart has been ripped out by the damp and a lack of care -  in such a state for Historic England to this week name it officially as one of the West Country's most 'at risk' heritage sites and releasing those damning pictures to show why.

The blame for this decline cannot be put on the doorstep of anybody in particular. It has been slowly getting worse under the stewardship of various regimes at the Town Hall. The efforts of various 'Friends' groups to keep it alive have been the only saving grace.

The current Conservative administration have stated their determination to bring Oldway back to life and news that Torbay is to share in £400m government funding aimed at securing the future of some of the nation's UK heritage assets may help - but the devil will be in the detail.

Matthew Clarke, a well-known Paignton businessman who has been involved in trying to give Oldway a new future, reacted in this way to the heritage funding news.

"What a great headline to wake up to this morning. 'At last a future for Oldway'," he said

But he pointed to the lack of a specific project or business plan.

Matthew said: "It was back in 2009, as owner of The Torbay Bookshop, we published Paul Hawthorne’s History of Oldway Mansion. We had plans to sell copies in the proposed hotel and wedding venue. It was at that time the most popular wedding venue in the country. Fast forward 14 years and we still have a council with no project and no business plan despite thousands being spent on unnecessary security and heating paid for from the proceeds of the McCarthy development, numerous consultants, thousands of wasted hours of volunteers time and yes, the now regular costly delay tactic, ‘the public consultation!’ What we are left with is a sad reflection of the inactivity of our councils and an embarrassment."

He says his own press release (depending, of course, if Oldway was to get any new funding) would read:

"‘Councillor X said: '‘Having had over 14 years to plan for this day, we are fully prepared to allocate this most welcome funding. Starting next week, the community will see scaffolding be erected to ensure the building is fully waterproofed. At the same time contractors will be restoring the masonry, windows and will be decorating the outside. Inside the ground and first floors will be restored, toilets and kitchen refurbished and an exhibition will be created in the foyer on the history of the building and the Singer family. We will be taking bookings for weddings from June 2024. Plans are already in place to attract funding for the Rotunda to be developed into a major exhibition space, part of which will include a permanent exhibition for the Paignton Heritage Society to display their archives plus those stored by The Torquay Museum. Land has been identified for a four star hotel out of site but alongside Oldway with developers showing interest. The upper floors of Oldway will remain empty but cared for until a use and partner is found.’  "

Matthew adds: "We now have the money. Get the job done....now."

I am not sure about money, Mr C. But the current administration insists they want to see the Oldway ball rolling. Disgracefully, it was kicked into touch several years ago.