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| Withnail & I fans to get a hoedown at Uncle Monty's | Withnail & I fans to get a hoedown at Uncle Monty's |
| (30 days later) | |
| Fans of the 1987 cult classic Withnail and I are preparing for a 'splendid weekend in the country', somewhat along the lines of the film's plot. Two outdoor screenings of Withnail will be staged in the courtyard at Sleddale Hall near Shap, the ramshackle farmhouse which stood in for Uncle Monty's 'Crow Crag' country retreat. | Fans of the 1987 cult classic Withnail and I are preparing for a 'splendid weekend in the country', somewhat along the lines of the film's plot. Two outdoor screenings of Withnail will be staged in the courtyard at Sleddale Hall near Shap, the ramshackle farmhouse which stood in for Uncle Monty's 'Crow Crag' country retreat. |
| The post-film history of Sleddale Hall could almost be turned into a film in itself. Owned until recently by United Utilities, the remote 18th century farmhouse had seen plans for its redevelopment regularly put on the table by the company, only for them to return to the drawing board after failing to win support from Eden district council. Uninhabited since the filming, Sleddale slowly fell into dereliction as ironically, the number of visitors to the house increased year on year as the film's popularity grew. | The post-film history of Sleddale Hall could almost be turned into a film in itself. Owned until recently by United Utilities, the remote 18th century farmhouse had seen plans for its redevelopment regularly put on the table by the company, only for them to return to the drawing board after failing to win support from Eden district council. Uninhabited since the filming, Sleddale slowly fell into dereliction as ironically, the number of visitors to the house increased year on year as the film's popularity grew. |
| In 2006 with the beautiful old mullions and gables slowly falling down,United Utilities were forced to re-roof the property. By now Withnail & I fans were regularly staying in the draughty farmstead and holding parties, candlelit dinners and even seances. Eventually, United Utilities decided to sell off the place off and in 2009, in the full glare of the national media, Sleddale Hall was put up for auction. | In 2006 with the beautiful old mullions and gables slowly falling down,United Utilities were forced to re-roof the property. By now Withnail & I fans were regularly staying in the draughty farmstead and holding parties, candlelit dinners and even seances. Eventually, United Utilities decided to sell off the place off and in 2009, in the full glare of the national media, Sleddale Hall was put up for auction. |
| By this stage rumours were rife that celebrity fans from Chris Evans to Withnail himself - Richard E Grant - would be bidding. A fans' collective attempted to whip up the funds to put in a bid, while around Shap locals wondered if the place would go to some would 'queer London type'. In the end, to the general satisfaction of both groups, 'the old order changeth, yeilding place to the new' and the landlord of the nearby Mardale Inn, Sebastian Hindley, put in the winning bid of £265.000. It was far in excess of the auctioneers' guide price of £145.000. | By this stage rumours were rife that celebrity fans from Chris Evans to Withnail himself - Richard E Grant - would be bidding. A fans' collective attempted to whip up the funds to put in a bid, while around Shap locals wondered if the place would go to some would 'queer London type'. In the end, to the general satisfaction of both groups, 'the old order changeth, yeilding place to the new' and the landlord of the nearby Mardale Inn, Sebastian Hindley, put in the winning bid of £265.000. It was far in excess of the auctioneers' guide price of £145.000. |
| Media coverage at this time showed the new owner and a happy entourage of fans descending on Sleddale and Hindley enthusiastically expanding on his plans to turn 'Crow Crag' into a Withnail and I hostel, cafe and gallery. Ever ready to be interviewed outside the property,the accommodating and media-savvy publican appeared to be a saviour sent from on high. But it was not to be. After passing several deadlines set by United Utilities, the promised funds to buy and restore the property failed to materialise and Hindley had to publicly admit defeat. | Media coverage at this time showed the new owner and a happy entourage of fans descending on Sleddale and Hindley enthusiastically expanding on his plans to turn 'Crow Crag' into a Withnail and I hostel, cafe and gallery. Ever ready to be interviewed outside the property,the accommodating and media-savvy publican appeared to be a saviour sent from on high. But it was not to be. After passing several deadlines set by United Utilities, the promised funds to buy and restore the property failed to materialise and Hindley had to publicly admit defeat. |
| Not minded to go back to auction, UU then offered the property to the second highest bidder, Canterbury-based architect, Tim Ellis, much of whose previous work had been in London. In contrast to Hindley and despite his plans focussing on restoring Sleddale Hall as a family home rather than a tourist attraction, Ellis has put his money where his mouth is. | Not minded to go back to auction, UU then offered the property to the second highest bidder, Canterbury-based architect, Tim Ellis, much of whose previous work had been in London. In contrast to Hindley and despite his plans focussing on restoring Sleddale Hall as a family home rather than a tourist attraction, Ellis has put his money where his mouth is. |
| After getting his renovation plans through the local authority planning committee, he set on a team of building workers who have moved things on apace, with extensive interior and exterior renovations taking place in the past twelve months. In an effort to engage Withnail and I fans in the project, Ellis has been also regularly posted updates on the main film forum. | After getting his renovation plans through the local authority planning committee, he set on a team of building workers who have moved things on apace, with extensive interior and exterior renovations taking place in the past twelve months. In an effort to engage Withnail and I fans in the project, Ellis has been also regularly posted updates on the main film forum. |
| Next month, in partnership with the Picnic Cinema company, outdoor film company, he is hosting two Withnail and I events at Sleddale on 15 (sold out) and 21 September under 'this most excellent canopy the air, look you'. The company, which raises funds for the local Eden remote touring cinema project is complementing the two screenings of the film within the hall's courtyard with live country music from the Kentucky Cow Tippers on the 15th and Daniel Martin Moore and Joan Shelley on the 21st. Camping is included in the ticket price and Picnic Cinema says: | Next month, in partnership with the Picnic Cinema company, outdoor film company, he is hosting two Withnail and I events at Sleddale on 15 (sold out) and 21 September under 'this most excellent canopy the air, look you'. The company, which raises funds for the local Eden remote touring cinema project is complementing the two screenings of the film within the hall's courtyard with live country music from the Kentucky Cow Tippers on the 15th and Daniel Martin Moore and Joan Shelley on the 21st. Camping is included in the ticket price and Picnic Cinema says: |
| This event is camping only. We wish to respect and protect the farmer's land and livestock which is crossed to access this remote location. We do not wish to endanger the audience or any animals by cars/people crossing this land at night. So once on site you will need to stay onsite until the morning. Please note there will be no access inside Sleddale Hall during the event. | This event is camping only. We wish to respect and protect the farmer's land and livestock which is crossed to access this remote location. We do not wish to endanger the audience or any animals by cars/people crossing this land at night. So once on site you will need to stay onsite until the morning. Please note there will be no access inside Sleddale Hall during the event. |
| For long time fans of probably the most quotable UK movie of all time, it's an unusual opportunity to 'get into the countryside and rejuvenate.' Sounds a lot more fun than an afternoon with Mrs Blennerhassett in the Penrith Tea Rooms... | For long time fans of probably the most quotable UK movie of all time, it's an unusual opportunity to 'get into the countryside and rejuvenate.' Sounds a lot more fun than an afternoon with Mrs Blennerhassett in the Penrith Tea Rooms... |
| Here's the film's trailer from YouTube, to get you in the mood. | Here's the film's trailer from YouTube, to get you in the mood. |
| John Appleby is a Liverpool-born artist and outdoor writer based in north Wales. He writes on art, rock climbing and conservation for the Footless Crow blogazine. | John Appleby is a Liverpool-born artist and outdoor writer based in north Wales. He writes on art, rock climbing and conservation for the Footless Crow blogazine. |
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