More so because not only is it the first book on Hough End Hall but it has been published to raise money to save this fine house for community use.
Now his contemporaries were divided about the man with some seeing him as a ruthless businessman who trampled on the rights of local residents to increase his fortunes while others pointed to the provision he made in his will for local charities including the parish church in Chorlton as well as gifts to his servants.
Of course that is all a long time ago but the fate of Hough End Hall is very much here and now.
In those 400 years it has been the centre of a wealthy estate home to succession of farmers and most recently a restaurant, and set of offices.
At one time it was in danger of being demolished for a new road, almost became a museum and art gallery and for many decades sat half forgotten and neglected.
Very early in the discussions on how to save the Hall it seemed a good idea to produce a book which could be sold to raise funds and which would also make people aware of the building's history and its value as a community asset.
Now that book is almost finished. It isn’t just a story of the hall and its many different uses, but focuses on the people who lived there and the way they lived their varied lives.
And because the Hall touched many more people there are the vivid memories of those who worked in the hall and plenty who grew up playing in the grounds.
So less a story of one building and more a set of stories of the community who have known it over the centuries and the many who want it to continue to be at the heart of where we live.
The book is available at Chorlton Book Shop, http://www.fire-hire.co.uk/bookshop.html
Picture; cover from the book, and the Hall in 1749 from Family Memoirs, Sir Oswald Mosley, 1849
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