Boston Castle
The Grade II listed building, grandiosely named Boston Castle, is found in Boston Park on a ridge overlooking the valley of the Rivers Don and Rother. Boston Castle, which stands in the grounds of Boston Park, was constructed as a hunting lodge in 1775 by the Earl of Effingham to mark his opposition to British attempts to crush that revolution.
My espondent Clark has said:–
"Did you know he did that to rub the King's nose in his defiance in refusing to go to help crush the colonists? Instead, he made a passionate House of Lords speech on liberty, resigned as Deputy Earl Marshal of England and took his bat and ball home to Yorkshire. And when the tea went into the harbour, he named his shooting lodge Boston Castle (and banned tea drinking there). I love it!"
In my days at the old alma mater, the Thomas Rotherham College (previously the boys' grammar school) just down the road there used to be a tuckshop here. As you can see it is now boarded up - presumably to stop vandals and squatters. So far I have not found out what the intentions are concerning Boston Castle - I guess demolition would be favourite since it costs the least. July 2001 - Plans have been approved to turn Boston Castle into a local information centre. If the plans go ahead it is intended that displays relating to the history of the Castle and information about the area will be on show here.
A joint bid for funding to restore the Castle and the surrounding parkland was made to the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2006. In January 2007 the results of this are still awaited. If this fails there are plans to bid for separate funding for the Castle alone. In July 2009 I have not heard what is happening. In October 2009 permission has been given to demolish the brick Victorian extension to Boston Castle preparatory to the long-term refurbishment and development of the park. There is a load of waffle about the project passing a first round pass from the Heritage Lottery Fund but this, apparently, does not mean they have been granted any money yet.
The last remains of the College of Jesus, such as they are which isn't much, were moved to Boston Park in the 19th Century and a couple of minutes walk from the Castle.
Boston Castle 2011
In April it has been reported that the 7 figure renovation project will now go ahead. Rotherham Council have cut their part of the budget and the café and classroom will not be built. The Heritage Lottery Fund are stumping up the rest of the readies. The 18th century hunting lodge will be restored and a two-storey extension built, together with landscaping the grounds, improving car parking and security measures. A Biffaward grant has also been received to pay for outside work to the courtyard.
In August 2011 £1.7million rebuild has begun with the demolition of the Victorian extension. The projected public opening date is Spring 2012.
By September 2011 repeated acts of vandalism at the site have put the project back. Obviously nobody told the contractors that Canklow was just down the hill and first class armour-plating absolutely essential.
RMBC are looking for volunteers to help with school trips and guided learning. The place will cost around £20,000 per annum to run. So when the Heritage Lottery Fund grant runs out in 2016 it will be the volunteers who keep the place afloat.
For more information about Boston Park visit onsite at Recreation in Rotherham Parks Urban Parks Boston Park.