AT the November meeting of the Emeritus Group, Mrs E Vigeon gave an informative talk with slides about the history of Agecroft Hall, Salford, from 1199 to demolition in 1926.

A supposed curse on the family that only daughters would be born, meant that the inheritance line was not direct through the Dauntesey family.

Through the centuries the hall was altered and had periods of neglect and restoration.

There were many 19th century repairs after a period of decline, until it was nearly destroyed by fire in 1894.

In 1926 it was purchased by a wealthy American businessman Mr T C Williams, shipped to America and rebuilt, though not the original plan.

Its new site was in a beautiful setting on the banks of the James River in Richmond, Virginia. Demolition to rebuilding took two years.

Some of the furniture and artefacts of the original building can be seen in Salford museum.

Next meeting of the group will be the Christmas lunch at Bury College on Thursday, December 11, at noon.

The January meeting will be on Thursday, January 8, at the Seedfield Centre, when Kate Debbie will talk on Elizabeth Gaskell.