Boot's folly, Strines, Sheffield - January 2015

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HughieD

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OK, first report for 2015. Nothing extensive – just a rather picturesque folly on Strines Moor outside Sheffield off the A57 to Manchester before you get to Derwent Reservoir. Here’s the history bit.

High on the south flanks of the Strines reservoir at a height of 315 metres stands Boot's Folly, a.k.a. Strines Tower or Sugworth Tower. The folly was constructed in 1927 by Charles Boot (hence the name Boot’s folly) who resided at the nearby Sugworth Hall. The 45-foot-high square tower with castellated top and flag pole was built from the leftover stone from nearby Bents House. In turn the stone for Bents House had come from the disused Bents Farm, Pears House Farm and Nether Holes Farm which had been demolished because they were suspected of polluting the waters in the dale. It is thought that Boot's Folly was constructed to provide work for Sugworth Hall’s workmen during The Depression. There is also a theory, however, that Boot built the tower so he could see High Bradfield churchyard. H is wife who had died in 1926, aged 56, was buried there. As you can see from the picture the interior is now bare but it originally had wood panelling and a large furnished room at the top where the Boot family could enjoy panoramic views across the moors. There was a spiral staircase to the top, but this was removed some years ago after a cow climbed the stairs and became stuck. The Folly gives fine views of the reservoir and Bradfield Dale.

Also of interest nearby laid out on the grass are as set of beautifully carved columns and capitals. The stones are believed to have come from Brunswick Chapel which is at the bottom of Sheffield Moor. The chapel was bombed during the Second World War and Mr Boot was charged with making the chapel safe so brought some of the masonry to his house on the moors. He may have planned to build a smaller folly using the stones.

Thanks for looking.

16356335615_b703258cab_b.jpgimg1384 by HughieDW, on Flickr


16356351565_ce5dbea4df_b.jpgimg1388 by HughieDW, on Flickr


16330427416_03b53a7a28_b.jpgimg1392 by HughieDW, on Flickr


16168794168_be4b44c785_b.jpgimg1387 by HughieDW, on Flickr


16355545562_91e580669b_b.jpgimg1398 by HughieDW, on Flickr


15733997394_db57df0904_b.jpgimg1399bw by HughieDW, on Flickr


15734019064_e77f7a3dc1_b.jpgimg1396 by HughieDW, on Flickr


16355589122_d59fc11b3f_b.jpgimg1400bw by HughieDW, on Flickr


15736527433_cf65888604_b.jpgimg1397 by HughieDW, on Flickr


15733881114_96fc633cac_b.jpgimg1402 by HughieDW, on Flickr


15736553923_b8d45dfaf2_b.jpgimg1403 by HughieDW, on Flickr
 
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What a beautiful spot,pity the stairs have gone,still I guess you have to guard against stair climbing cows:)Shame about the architectural remains,the reclamation boys would love to get their hands on that little lot.
Couldn't put it better, I enjoyed looking, Thanks

 
Never tire of Follies, such wonderful works of art, usually decaying and uncared for !! Crackin set of pics to back it up as well !! Thanks for posting !!
 
drove past that the other week on way between here [ame]http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/showthread.php?t=30277[/ame] and bradfield water works! stopped & considered having a look but had no idea what it was.
Nice to see it Thanks
 
I was up there yesterday (your photos are infinitely better than mine!) and actually found your post by googling to find out what those piles of carved stones were intended for. We reckoned you could scale the inside of the tower pretty easily.

Did you pass Broggin House? Just down the bridleway that forks off to the right after you come round the sharp bend beyond Strines. It's definitely empty which is a massive shame, it's a beautiful house. We got into the attached barn. I hope it's not left to crumble away. Grade II listed so I'd like to indulge in some wishful thinking. They could give it to me!

ETA: I heard he had it built to relieve local unemployment (I've heard both explanations used). I believe the Rivelin Valley Road was built around the same time to also give local unemployed men work.
 
I was up there yesterday (your photos are infinitely better than mine!) and actually found your post by googling to find out what those piles of carved stones were intended for. We reckoned you could scale the inside of the tower pretty easily.

Did you pass Broggin House? Just down the bridleway that forks off to the right after you come round the sharp bend beyond Strines. It's definitely empty which is a massive shame, it's a beautiful house. We got into the attached barn. I hope it's not left to crumble away. Grade II listed so I'd like to indulge in some wishful thinking. They could give it to me!

ETA: I heard he had it built to relieve local unemployment (I've heard both explanations used). I believe the Rivelin Valley Road was built around the same time to also give local unemployed men work.

Cheers mate. Good luck with the scaling! Didn't know about Broggin House but have found it now. Will check it out next time I am there.
 
Lovely pictures I have a great fondness for follies myself & if I am going anywhere I have a look here first to see if there are any follies worth poking around in http://www.follies.org.uk/follymaps.htm

Cheers Infrared. That's a great resource isn't it? This is the printed matter that I use in conjunction with that site:

[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Follies-Grottoes-Garden-Buildings-Headley/dp/1854106252/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424705788&sr=1-6&keywords=follies"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Follies-Grottoes-Garden-Buildings-Headley/dp/1854106252/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424705788&sr=1-6&keywords=follies[/ame]
 

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