The third campsite was established close to the Bridgewater Canal side of the estate, on land now used by the National Trust as the car park for the Hall and deer park.

There was only one main building – a dark wooden hut – which doubled as a Warden’s hut, Store and tuckshop. It is believed the hut came from the Manchester Ship Canal Company who used it as a workshop? (any details) It is said on the closure of the came site, it was offered to be moved to the current campsite – but was found to be too rotten to move!

Toilet washing facilities were cold water only – in a small building near the boundary wall!

Over 400 years of history have unfolded at Dunham Massey. Home to two ancient families, the Booths and the Greys, their stories of international fortune and friendship can still be felt across the estate today. Seat of the Massey barons, the park at Dunham Massey was first mentioned in 1362, but wild deer and boar were hunted there many years before. Deer parks were a prominent feature of the British landscape after the Norman Conquest, a symbol of elite power and privilege. Today only a handful remain, most broken up or converted for agriculture or landscaped parkland.

1736: Mary Booth (1704-72), the sole heir of the 2nd Earl and his wife, married Harry Grey (1715-68), bringing the Dunham estate into the Earldom of Stamford. Mary and Harry divide their time between Enville Hall, one of the Stamford estates, and Dunham. Appointed director of the Dunham estate in her father’s will, Mary was integral to the management and shaping of it, co-negotiating, for example, the building of the Bridgewater Canal.

1751: The deer park enclosed: The final bricks are put in place to complete a three-mile-long wall enclosing the deer park, keeping intruders out and animals in.

1884: Upon the death of his 3rd cousin, Harry Grey (1812-90) inherits the Stamford peerage. At the time of his ennoblement Grey was working as a farm labourer in the Cape Colony, which is today South Africa. He was married to Martha Solomon, an emancipated South African woman. Harry and Martha had two sons born out of wedlock, and a daughter. They chose not to return to England.

1891: When Harry died the Stamford Earldom – with its titles, estates, and hereditary seat in the House of Lords – was disputed. According to Dutch law in South Africa, Harry’s first son John was the heir, but because he was illegitimate – and of dual heritage – House Peers in Westminster stopped him from inheriting. Instead Harry Grey’s nephew William Grey (1850-1910), a Canadian colonial teacher, was elevated to the title. New research has shown that William Grey kept in regular contact with his South African family. The letters exchanged provide important insights into the education and upbringing of Harry Grey’s children and their relationship with the 9th Earl, who financially supported them, as well as the complexities of South African responses to the Second Boer War (1899-1902).

9^th Earl of Stamford: William Grey 18 April 1850 – 24 May 1910 (60 years old)

Inherited the Stamford Estate and moved to Dunham Hall in 1906 – but died in 1910

In 1906 William Grey takes up residence in the family seat with his wife Penelope Theobald and their children, Lady Jane Grey and the future Earl, Roger. Cheshire society greet the family’s carriage as it travels through Hale and Altrincham and onto Dunham Massey. William modernises the mansion with electricity and a new plumbing system and engages the furniture historian Percy Macquoid to help redesign its interiors.

10th Earl of Stamford, Roger Grey inherited the estate at the age of 13. Passionate about re-assembling the collections that had been dispersed by the 7th Earl, Roger dedicated his adult life to preserving Dunham Massey

He only gained the management of the estate in 1917 – at the age of 21

1915: After the First World War broke out, Dunham Massey was offered for military use and became the Stamford Military Hospital. The saloon was transformed into a ward complete with around 53 beds. Nearly 300 patients were treated at Dunham Massey by a team of nurses that included the daughter of the house, Lady Jane Grey.

Took his seat in the House of Lords in 1919 – not a regular there

Moved in the circle of Ramsey MacDonald-one of the three principal founders of the Labour Party in 1900.

Staunch supporter of the League of Nations – The League of Nations was the first worldwide organisation whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. Founded on 10 January 1920 by the Paris Peace Conference that ended the first World War. The main organization ceased operations on 20 April 1946 but many of its components were relocated into the new United Nations.

Friend of Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haile_Selassie

Deeply troubled by Mussolini’s invasion of his own country, in 1936 Haile Selassie , Emperor of Ethiopia, addressed the League of Nations in Geneva, warning of the rise of global fascism. Ignored, he went on to spend the next five years in exile in England.

Roger Grey was a member of the local League of Nations branch and was sympathetic to Selassie’s cause.

The Emperor visited Dunham Massey for four days in 1938, cementing a friendship for life.

Until his death, Roger flew the Lion of Judah flag from Dunham every year on Selassie’s birthday (23 July).

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey/features/a-brief-history-of-dunham-massey

Numerous family branches: one of which came to Altrincham:

Henry Theodore Gaddum 1835 – 1905

Merchant: Came from Rusholme, married Emily Joynson of Ashton on Mersey – bought land at Green Walk from Earl of Stamford – moving into house built there : Oakley in 1870. (Later built Brockhole in the Lake District – now a successful Visitor Centre

He had first telephone in Altrincham with the number “Altrincham 1” was a JP and said to be a local benefactor and often paid the fines he had imposed if he thought the accused were too poor to pay them!

Principal of H.T Gaddum, Silk merchant of Macclesfield. The Gaddum family had been trading in textiles since 1826 and in England, was the sole provider of raw silk to the UK during much of World War 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Gaddum

Son: Arthur Graham Gaddum b: 9 Jan 1874 d: 7 Sept 1948 in Pembrokeshire

Lived at Oakley, Green Walk, Bowdon since the death of his father Henry Theodore Gaddum in 1905 (when Arthur was 31 years)

Arthur moved in the same social circles as the Earl of Stamford: Roger Grey

He was County Commissioner of Lancashire Boy Scouts

Said to be an Organiser of Greek Boy Scouts

In 1899, during the Second Boar War in South Africa, Baden-Powell successfully defended the town in the Siege of Mafeking. A Boer army of more than 8,000 men surrounded him and his troops. Although wholly outnumbered, the garrison withstood the siege for 217 days, and much of this is attributable to some of the cunning military deceptions instituted at Baden-Powell’s behest as commander of the garrison. As a result, Baden-Powell became a national hero back home.

He recognised a need to prepare young people with skills for life, for citizenship and a sense of belonging.

Aged 50, B-P ran a trial camp on Brownsea Island, off Poole, Dorset, in 1907, and wrote an outline for the proposed Boy Scout movement. On January 24, 1908, the Boy Scouts movement begins in England with the publication of the first instalment of Scouting for Boys. The name Baden-Powell was already well known to many English boys, and thousands of them eagerly bought up the handbook.

He retired from the army in 1910 to devote all his time to the Boy Scouts, and in the same year he and his sister Agnes Baden-Powell (1858–1945) founded the Girl Guides.

His wife, Olave, Lady Baden-Powell (1889–1977), also did much to promote the Girl Guides.

Baden Powell toured the UK and the Commonwealth, speaking with the Great and the Good to mobilise youths into Patrols and Troops (gangs).

Under his leadership, Baden-Powell brought Scouting to the youth of the world and the world Scouting movement grew.

By the end of 1910, there were over 100,000 Scouts in England.

In 1922, there were more than a million scouts in 32 countries and by 1939; the number of Scouts had grown in excess of 3.3 million.

On returning to the UK, Baden-Powell realised that boys at home could benefit from similar sorts of activities to the boys at Mafeking.  These activities went on to form the basis of the Scouting Movement.

While Scouting remains relevant, educational and exciting today, it has not strayed too far from its roots; outdoor adventure, helping others and Scouting skills remain the most iconic of its activities.

September 1911: B-P was visiting Manchester district, as the Guest of Arthur Gaddum, of Oakley, Bowdon, Scout Commissioner for Lancashire

Manchester District in the County of Lancashire – later South East Lancashire Scouts

9^th April 1912: BP, Mr C E B Russell and others, addressed a meeting at the Association Hall, Mount Street, 7pm, chaired by Sir W J Crossleyand invited

“Gentlemen interested in the Boy Scout Movement” ticket only !

1913: Commissioner for Girl Guides in Manchester

1916: at the suggestion of Robert Baden Powell organised the “Matlock Conference”

1921: Foxlease in Hampshire: Training and activity centre for Girl Guides

Olave Baden Powell -> Marriage of Princess Mary who gifted £6000 to buy house and 60 acres

2 June 1922: Foxlease opened with Alice Behrens as first Guider in Charge

1952: Alice died on the 28 June

Early Scout Troops in the area included the 1^st Bowdon described as Earl of Stamford’s Own, 3^rd Altrincham (Grammar School) Troop – we are aware of an cine film of their camping at Dunham.

During the First World War, over 5,000 older Scouts and leaders were killed however, youth membership of Scouts had grown by over 46,000.  The loss of so many experienced leaders and older Scouts created a need for leadership training programme to provide new volunteers with the skills needed to support the Movement.

Post-World War One: saw high unemployment, reduction in wages, poverty and social unrest, leading to 1926 General Strike

1921: Lease on Dunham Park Scout Camp “campsite for Social Change” in the New Park

Motivating young people with guidance from adults

South of the Drive across the New Park was semi-permanent Bell tents – used for Summer Camps

North of the Drive: was the South East Lancashire field for Woodcraft and Wood Badge leader training. Courses ran 5 times a year for over 400 leaders at a time

October 1927: Reunion of Lancashire Scouters: 200 present – photo at home page

Arthur Gaddum (of Oakley, Green Walk, Bowden) County Commissioner

F A Stocks Camp Chief

1929: erection of Scouts Hall on Scout Camp

South East Lancashire scout county : first President = Earl of Stamford

September 1932: Robert Baden-Powell – Chief Scout spoke at Manchester Luncheon Club at Midland Hotel “Boy Scouts and World Friendship” at a cost of 5/- (25p)

Newspaper reports: Scouts with bands and colours flying lined both sides of Peter Street, in Manchester from the YMCA to beyond the Free Trade Hall

Further out, in Stretford, Sale and Altrincham, there were other Scouts lining the route

B-P went on to celebrate 10^th Anniversary of Dunham Park Scout Camp

Early Scout Troops in the area included the 1^st Bowdon described as Earl of Stamford’s Own, 3^rd Altrincham (Grammar School) Troop – we are aware of an cine film of their camping at Dunham.

During the First World War, over 5,000 older Scouts and leaders were killed however, youth membership of Scouts had grown by over 46,000.  The loss of so many experienced leaders and older Scouts created a need for leadership training programme to provide new volunteers with the skills needed to support the Movement.

Post-World War One: saw high unemployment, reduction in wages, poverty and social unrest, leading to 1926 General Strike

1921: Lease on Dunham Park Scout Camp “campsite for Social Change” in the New Park

Motivating young people with guidance from adults

South of the Drive across the New Park was semi-permanent Bell tents – used for Summer Camps

North of the Drive: was the South East Lancashire field for Woodcraft and Wood Badge leader training. Courses ran 5 times a year for over 400 leaders at a time

October 1927: Reunion of Lancashire Scouters: 200 present – photo at home page

Arthur Gaddum (of Oakley, Green Walk, Bowden) County Commissioner

F A Stocks Camp Chief

1929: erection of Scouts Hall on Scout Camp

South East Lancashire scout county : first President = Earl of Stamford

September 1932: Robert Baden-Powell – Chief Scout spoke at Manchester Luncheon Club at Midland Hotel “Boy Scouts and World Friendship” at a cost of 5/- (25p)

Newspaper reports: Scouts with bands and colours flying lined both sides of Peter Street, in Manchester from the YMCA to beyond the Free Trade Hall

Further out, in Stretford, Sale and Altrincham, there were other Scouts lining the route

B-P went on to celebrate 10^th Anniversary of Dunham Park Scout Camp – on the site given by the Earl of Stamford

Roger Grey sought to protect the medieval deer park from tree felling in WW2 and didn’t want to allow the park to be used as a military camp. Various areas were offered – eg the Devisdale http://www.friendsofdenzellanddevisdale.com/history.html and the Scout camp in the New Park

2 October 1942: the Scout camp was inspected and passed as suitable for American Army troops who moved in from October 1943. They made preparations for D-Day 6^th June 1944 – leaving from May 1944.  It is said there were some 190 barrack huts for 6000 soldiers.

18 October 1944: Earl of Stamford was informed that the campsite would be used as a Prisoner of War Camp for 3500 German POWs from the liberation of Europe and Italian POWs from North Africa who started arriving from first week of November 1944.   And stayed until 1946 before they were repatriated back to Germany and Italy – but some stayed having worked on local farms and industry. One of the old POW huts was requisitioned by the Red Cross to form a community Centre at Lark hill in Timperley Village – only replaced by the current building in 1999.  

1943: temporary camp – further along the New Park towards Dunham Town village with access from near the “concrete tree” in the middle of the village

1946: recognising the campsite was still in the hands of the War Dept, there was a dispute about the return of the campsite from the War Dept which continued for a few years.