Stoops Hall

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If you walk a little further north of the King's Arms at Garstang, you'll see a large brick building, which is called Stoops Hall. And the name Stoops Hall appears on the frontage high up with the date 1882. People often ask what this means? Is stoops a surname? Does it represent something more than a name? In actuality, it represents storm pillars because the old building that occupied this site was supported at one end by stone stoops. And this building unfortunately suffered a fire in 1879. And in 1880 the remains of the building was sold and the present Stoops Hall was built on the site.

Near to Stoops Hall is a large white painted shop, and if you are eagle-eyed, you will see a date plaque over the front door with the initials G.E.M. 1741. The old registers at Church Town Church revealed that this was Edward and Margaret Gardner, who were married in 1740, and not only built this wonderful home, but raised a large family here at the time.

Just four years later, in fact, the Gardner family came to witness Bonnie Prince Charlie marching with his forces through the middle of the high streets, they were largely unwelcome by the populous of Garstang. But something of a rumpus occurred when some of their personal effects were stolen and the Scots threatened to burn the town down unless those personal effects were returned. Needless to say, the thieves decided it was better for them to surreptitiously bring their goods back, and the Scots eventually moved on. Charlie, drew supporters wherever he went. The majority at Garstang decided to keep well away. But there was a handful of people who joined the brigade, and when Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated, these men were handed back to us where they were found guilty, and then taken to a place called Hangman's Lane, and eventually paid with their lives.