Help from Near and Afar

The campaign to save Undershaw is gaining momentum with 3 offers of help arriving in my in box at info@saveundershaw.com in the last couple of days. The first was from Paul a local gentleman who tells me of his soft spot for Undershaw as his wedding reception was held there and that he dined there many times when it was a hotel.

His line of business is connected with EPK (Electronic Press Kit). He has suggested as an alternative to the BBC; considering making an EPK. He thinks that to get local and national broadcasters interested in featuring the story of Undershaw's plight would be to consider shooting a professional video interview and selected video footage (and equivalent radio interview) and then packaging it generically for broadcasters to use as they see fit - either to re-edit and provide narration or to transmit unchanged. http://www.greenfieldtv.com/ Looks like we need someone to carry out the interviews!

He also feels and it is most apparent to him that the former splendour of Undershaw is not evident to the casual visitor of this site, nor to anyone seaching the web. The period details, the staircase and stained glass, the family crests and snooker room - all of these differentiate Undershaw from "just another neglected mansion". I do actually agree with him, I do need to include the building in all its splendour back in the good 'ol days. Where does one start to locate photographs of this kind? Can anyone help?

The second offer of help has come from Andre who explains that he is a huge Conan Doyle fan. Andre is from Savannah, GA and is a paranormal investigator in his spare time. He has been in talks with tv production companies about possible paranormal pitches for shows. He has recently worked with Pilgrim Film and TV and on speaking terms with NorthSouth Productions and Pangolion Pictures.

Andre has already gone ahead and mentioned to the VP of Production of Pangolion about the campaign to save Undershaw and the possibility of a TV documentary on the house and the paranormal. He has suggested that he could also put the idea to NorthSouth production director. At this stage he cannot guarantee anything, but this way it is highlighting an awareness.

Finally Angela, from the United States and founder of S.O.S. Tidewater Paranormal Research http://paranoralsos.com/ has kindly included the campaign on her website http://paranormalsos.com/help_save_undershaw.php

I would like to thank all three of these lovely people for their interest in the campaign and hope that all three will be a big part of what could be the making of history.

On-Line Petition to Save Undershaw

Please don't forget to pledge your support by signing the on-line petition http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/undershaw. A section will come up asking for a donation to the ipetitions website, you can bypass this and your name will still register. Please may I ask you to include a comment when signing the petition as this will have the extra clout when submitting to the council especially if you feel as strongly as I do. We need to be heard!

Thank you to everyone that has been visiting this blog and for those that have signed the petition, your help with the campaign is paramount. I do hope you will continue to follow our progress and the continuing saga of Undershaw.

For those of you not too sure how to use this blog, you will see down the left hand side the 'blog archive' of various articles that I have written. If you click on the dates or the year (2009) it should take you back to the beginning of November when I started the blog. Happy reading.

Breaking News - BBC have called off visit to Undershaw

I have today learnt that the BBC will not be rescheduling their visit to Undershaw. This is a heavy blow to the campaign and is the third time we have been unsuccessful with TV coverage. So close and yet so far! This has enevitably left the Trust a little disheartened and disappointed in the short term. The BBC have said that if anything definite occurs with Undershaw, i.e planning is submitted or the house is bought, they would be willing to feature an article then. This really doesn't help with what we are trying to do now.

We appeal for help from anyone that has contacts with the BBC or ITV or even the Sky channels to help with getting our main source of publicity off the ground.

Help from a Photographer

Help is on its way from all sources, some small and some quite substantial but all these will make up the final outcome for Undershaw. Recent help has been from NickG who has offered help with the photography. Here are a few of his works of art which he has sent me to use for the blog. He will continue to use his expertise in capturing what Undershaw is truly about.Nick has recently written to me with the following:

I am a member of a website that takes an interest in preserving abandoned buildings which are part of our heritage by photographing them, it's called 28dayslater. I have started a thread on this site to help your cause towards saving Undershaw House and have included links to the petition to sign and also to your blog within this thread. You can see the thread here:

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=47004

The website 28dayslater has over 13000 members and I think it will help increase awareness for you.

All being well I am meeting up with Nick and a friend of his who is a part time journalist to chat over ideas. My thanks to Nick for his involvement in this way and to whatever help he is able to offer.

Receiving help of this kind is a tremendous boost to the campaign and if you feel there is something you are able to offer in this way, please make contact. Help from all areas will be gratefully accepted.

The Devils Punchbowl Hotel offers its help with the Campaign

The campaign would not have gained the recent momentum and outcomes without the help from our local businesses in the area. One exception has been the Devils Punchbowl Hotel. The hotel was built around the same time and has survived the modern day climate unlike Undershaw 'that tatty old building up the road'.

The hotel has been the venue for several of our awareness days. They have provided us with the utmost of help on both occassions for our guests for which their generiosty is gratefully appreciated.

I can fully recommend the Sunday lunch carvery at the Punchbowl, it is reasonable, tasty, and plentiful. How can anyone complain about the food that is served in this hotel? The staff are a good lot, friendly, polite and ever helpful. With its reasonable accommodation tarriff, good food, friendly atmosphere and helpful staff, you cannot go wrong - book in for a few days, take a wander down to Undershaw and marvel the spectacular views especially as the spring is drawing near. Don't forget to mention that you support the campaign to save Undershaw. The staff would be only too happy to provide you with information about Undershaw, of their involvement, the Trust, the area and how you can help.
With the new management firmly in place at the Punchbowl entertainment has been added to the already friendly and comfortable atmosphere. Quiz nights, live entertainment, Wii nights and of course coming up is their valentines night, with its own special valentine menu and of course the Michael Jackson tribute night which is scheduled for the last Saturday of February. Not to be missed! There is even talk of a fund raiser for Undershaw - this would be exceptional if as many supporters as possible could drop by. By attending this you will be supporting both the Punchbowl and Undershaw.

Both these buildings are cloaked in so much history and both need the support from you the public to see them survive for many more years. You can support the Punchbowl by just visiting and sharing a drink in their bar or comfy reception area or even trying their tasty Sunday lunch.


Denise can be found busying herself in many duties as Assistant Manager at the Punchbowl Hotel and has involved herself with our campaign to save Undershaw, realising that saving Undershaw could create better business in the area for all small and large businesses alike. A move that of course the hotel fully supports.