The Grimshawe Family Spanish Shrine

Once upon a time Samuel Grimshawe, a wealthy Manchester industrialist, built Errwood Hall in the upper Goyt Valley.  There was a private school on the Estate attended by about 30 local children and their teacher was Miss Dona Maria Dolores de Ybarguen.  She was also governess to the children at Errwood Hall and she died, whilst only in her 40's, on a visit to Lourdes.  The family built a shrine (blip photo) to her memory in 1889.

Errwood Hall is now just a ruin, having been demolished in 1934 in connection with the construction of Fernilee reservoir.  But the shrine, which is some distance up the valley from the hall, remains intact.  The shrine is not locked and you can go inside (see extra photo).  There is a book in which many people have written in memory of their departed loved ones who had enjoyed the countryside around Errwood.

Very nearly a year ago Sally, a very good friend of mine, unexpectedly passed away.  The last day out we had together was hiking around Errwood and we visited the Spanish Shrine on route to Shining Tor (the highest point in Cheshire).  I went to the shrine today, as I plan to do each year in May for as long as I am able, in memory of Sally and that last day out we had together.

The message another friend and I wrote in August last year is still there in the memorial book, but the shrine is partially open to the elements and the book must get soaked at times; many of the messages are fading.  Next time I go I will donate a weatherproof case for the memorial book so that all those memories can live on.