Combermere Abbey – Lecture in the Library

Another remarkable lecture in the Library at Combermere.

HOPWOOD DePREE – FROM HOLLYWOOD TO HOPWOOD

On Thursday March 13th, come and hear the fascinating story of one man’s quest to restore one of the Northwest’s important but abandoned historic buildings. From Hollywood to Hopwood tells the dramatic change of life swapping a successful award-winning career as a writer and filmmaker in Hollywood for Hopwood DePree’s new passion – the restoration of his ancestral home, Hopwood Hall Estate in Manchester! Following up on a childhood family story, some wine and ancestry.com he uncovered the connection!

As an advocate and investor in rescuing the UK’s lost heritage, he relocated from California to Rochdale Borough in 2017 to save this important historic building and give it a new C21st purpose. His energy and purpose has galvanised the local community, created a volunteer programme and set up the Hopwood Foundation for Heritage, Arts, Education and Inspiration.

His story has reached a world-wide audience, gaining support and he creates regular restoration updates on his popular YouTube channel (@HopwoodXIV.com) which now has over three million views.

2025 will be a vital year for its continued restoration as he battles against Rochdale Council, who are currently blocking the project, and this has added a new challenge to saving this historic building.

Hopwood has honed his entertainment skills with a one-man stand-up show called The Yank is a Manc which he performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and written a book called Downton Shabby, the amusing and frank story of coming to England to rescue the house.

His lecture will be hilarious as well as informative and well worth listening to! Join us and share in the fun. Copies of the book will be available at the event.

www.HopwoodXIV.com

Notes: Born in Michigan USA, Hopwood heard childhood stories about a family connection to a historic estate in England. After moving to California and a successful career in film and TV production and direction, he moved to the UK in 2017 to support the restoration of Hopwood Hall in Middleton, North Manchester.

Hopwood Hall is a Grade II* Listed historic home located in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England. It was originally constructed around 1420. The Hall was the ancestral country estate of the Hopwood family, landed gentry who held it from at least the 12th century. Visitors included Lord Byron who wrote his poem ‘Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage.’ It has been used as an educational establishment, a seminary retreat and abandoned under the care of Rochdale Council for decades before 2017.

Hopwood is Co-Deputy Chair of Historic Houses NW Region, a membership organisation of over 1200 privately owned Grade 1 and 2* listed properties. The Northwest region covers Lancashire, Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. He lectures across the country and presents a powerful voice for heritage UK.

The lecture will support the Hopwood Foundation (Registered Charity 1192774)

DIANA MATHER – ‘In Conversation With’ Interviewer.

Well-known in the local area, Diana has been co-founder of Signal Radio and The Malpas Arts and Literary Festival (Malfest). Diana was a news reader for BBC Northwest for over 10 years. Moving into the training sector she has trained politicians, created the world’s first finishing school for men, A seasoned professional she has worked all over the world and her passion for the arts and culture culminated in a performance at the Edinburgh Fringe in ‘The Etiquette Show – Much ado about everything. She contributes regularly to radio, press and television programmes and has written 12 books. She has written twelve books and her latest, ‘A Recipe for Life – 7 Steps to Becoming Happy, Healthy and Confident’ is due out in October.

Tickets are £27.50 each – to book tickets, please look athttps://combermereabbey.co.uk/abbey-estate-tours/winter-events-in-the-library/

For more information please do call: Sarah Callander Beckett 01948 662880 ext 2.