How times do change

Winstanley Hall was built in the 1560s for the Winstanley family Lords of the manor since at least 1252. The Winstanleys owned the hall until 1596, when the estate was sold to one James Bankes, a London goldsmith and banker. The Hall has three storeys and extra blocks were added in the 17th and 18th centuries. Further and extensive alterations were made in 1811-19 by Lewis Wyatt in a Jacobean style.  The final additions to the hall were made in 1843 when an extra wing was added. To the south, on lands belonging to the hall, there is a small stone building which was used to house bears that provided entertainment for the hall's guests. The Bankes family retained ownership of the hall until the 21st century when it was sold for private development. The hall had been kept in good condition until the 1960s when habitation stopped. As the building decayed and the cost of maintaining Winstanley Hall was too much for the family it was sold on. It was intended to develop the hall into private flats, however refurbishment was held up due to Wigan council withholding planning permission. The interior is now in a serious state of disrepair; as can be seen here.

How different things were in 1894 when J. H. Bankes Esquire sent 3 pieces of Ostrich skin to Rowland Ward and Co. to have them made into a sofa cover. He also sent along a set of Roan antelope horns to be mounted on a "fumigated oak shield". 

Rowland Ward was the foremost taxidermist of the time; I just love his postal address - The Jungle, 166 Piccadilly, London.