Balkrishna Savant welcomed people into his home, The Chapel at Aldborough Hatch

Access all areas at Redbridge’s most striking buildings during Open House London weekend

Alistair Kleebauer, Senior reporter Monday, September 24, 2012
2:11 PM

It was access all areas in some of the most striking buildings in Redbridge this weekend during Open House London including a former chapel which was in danger of collapse.

A stained glass window inside the Hospital Chapel, Ilford (credit - Dharam Sahdev - iwitness24)

Balkrishna Savant welcomed about 200 visitors yesterday to Aldborough Hatch Chapel at Aldborough House Farm in Oaks Lane, Newbury Park.

The Grade-II listed building had lain derelict until the chartered accountant converted it into a private home.

It possibly predates Aldborough House to which it was attached and is thought to have been built in the late 17th or early 18th century.

Ron Jeffries, of Spearpoint Gardens, Newbury Park, said: “People thought it was absolutely brilliant what he’s done with it.

“They were impressed the way he’s retained its character, with the balcony and the brickwork. “

Its west wall was blown down in the hurricane of 1987 and Mr Savant was faithful to the original brickwork when rebuilding it.

Mr Jeffries offered tours of St Peter’s Church in Aldborough Road North, another Open House location which welcomed around 100 visitors yesterday.

And Dharam Sahdev, of Gantshill Crescent, Gants Hill, looked around the 12th century Hospital Chapel, in Ilford Hill, Ilford, and submitted photos of the former hospice to iwitness24.

He said: “It’s extremely important from an architectural point of view, it reflects the architecture of the 12th century.”

Other Open House locations included Bancroft’s School in High Road, Woodford Green, and Uphall Primary School in Uphall Road, Ilford.