Wightwick
Manor Wolverhampton |
The
Manor was built in two phases at different times.
The West Wing built in 1887 was extended to include
the East Wing in 1893. It is a Grade I Listed
building designed by Edward Ould of Liverpool and
built for Theodore Mander. The Mander family were
industrialists in the west Midlands area. The
property was given to the National Trust in 1937.
The West Wing central heating installation was a Perkins MPHW system complete with a brickwork furnace. The system which comprised 5 circuits was installed by John King Limited Liverpool. The connection between John King Limited and the designer Edward Ould both from Liverpool speaks for itself. As
a medium pressure system (MPHW) it was fitted with a
water cistern and integral pressure balancing valve
that allowed the heated water in the pipework as it
expanded, to spill into the water tank. When the
water in the system had cooled the pressure valve
would open and allow the water in the cistern to
re-enter the pipework. It was necessary to
occasionally manually top up the system water by
opening the counter weight on the balancing valve.
This operation could only be carried out when the
system water was cold.
|
John
King Limited Liverpool furnace nameplate
|
Pipe coils inside brickwork furnace |
Pipe circuits on top of brickwork furnace |
Pipe circuits on side of furnace brickwork |
At a
later date most of the Perkins system pipework was
removed presumably to allow space for the next wet
heating system to be installed. Correspondence dated
1910 shows that another improved wet heating system
was installed by the firm of Killick& Cochran
Liverpool. This later heating system has a combination of Beeston Boiler Company 'Royal School' pattern 2-column cast iron sectional radiators. The second pattern of radiator is a modern design possible added when the 1991 system was installed. |
Beeston Royal School pattern sectional radiator |
Modern cast iron sectional radiator with Del-flo valves |
The
East Wing built 1893 originally had Killick &
Cochran's own cast iron sectional heaters installed in
the Ground Floor area. Several of their sectional
heaters are still connected to the current pipework
system. These heaters are an early pattern of cast iron
heater that had their sections bolted together. |
A 11 section heater |
|
The majority of rooms at all floor levels have fireplaces that formed the primary heating for the room. The fireplaces in the family rooms are highly ornate pattern decorated with Victorian tiled surrounds. These tiles of various colours and designs are the work of William De Morgan. |
Most of the family's main and ancillary rooms in the West Wing are fitted with 'Tobin' tubes which introduced ducted fresh air into the room. Tobin tubes are connected to the outside and fitted with damper control to regulate the amount of fresh air required. |
This tube has been carefully concealed within the timber and wallpaper. The timber top frame is evidence of its position |
This tube has been hidden behind the timber paneling. The top of the tube is at the level of the timber moulding. Note the careful concealment of the control damper. |
The turkish bathroom was heated by a
Constantine convoluted pattern warm air stove. The stove is sited in the basement and is of 'built into brickwork' design. |
View taken inside top flue header chamber showing outlets from combustion chamber below and single chimney outlet above. |