ANYONE who has been watching the latest Restoration programme on BBC TV cannot fail to be impressed by the vast assortment of buildings we have in Britain, many of which need restoration -- the object of the programme.

We, in Burnley, also have a number of buildings of great antiquity, but have also lost some fine historic structures as well.

Take the Holme at Cliviger -- it's doubtful that this once fine building will ever be rebuilt after being hit by fire, in spite of all its history.

Coal Clough House though, it seems, will fare better. This too was gutted by fire, but plans are afoot to rebuild.

One great building we still have is in dire need of attention, and as soon as possible -- Extwistle Hall.

It can only be described as a crying shame that a building such as Extwistle Hall, a once fine 16th Century Tudor country mansion, should have been allowed to deteriorate to its present condition.

Extwistle Hall now stands ruined, disgraced, and shamefully lopsided on the north side of Swinden Reservoir, near the Roggerham Gate Inn.

If ever there was a case for restoration, then this is it.

A footpath higher up the hill from the inn, and just around the sharp bend, takes one past the old hall, which then continues through Houghton's Farm, after which turning left over a stile runs past Netherwood farms to Heasandford, and the water meetings there -- a fine walk in any season. Extwistle Hall will always be associated with the Parker family although, at one time, it was in the possession of Kirkstall and Newbo Abbeys, who also owned Monk Hall close by Extwistle, hence the name, the original homes of the Parker family.

On the dissolution of the monasteries in 1537, Extwistle Hall was sold off to a William Ramsden, who later sold it on to Robert Parker.

It was said in 1666, ironically the year of the Great Fire of London, that "John Parker of Extwistle Hall, the largest house in the township, had eleven hearths".

The Parkers continued to live at Extwistle for almost 200 years, until tragic events of 1718 terminated their association with this then fine building.

The date was Thursday, March 17, 1718, and Captain Robert Parker set off for a day's shooting on the moors around Extwistle Hall -- the day ended wet and windy, and the Captain arrived home thoroughly drenched.

When he arrived at the hall he took off his great hunting coat and placed it near a roaring fire in the dining room at the great hall. Unfortunately, in his haste to get warm and dry, he forgot about a large canister of gunpowder in his pocket.

An explosion followed that severely injured Captain Parker, two of his daughters, Mary Townley and Betty Atkinson, and a child. The dining room was badly damaged in the explosion, as were two other rooms, which were set alight.

The Captain never recovered from his injuries, and died four weeks later. Following this, the family removed themselves from Extwistle Hall and took up residence at Cuerden Hall, near Bamber Bridge, now a nursing home.

There is, of course, the tale of Captain Parker and the goblin funeral, albeit an unlikely tale -- or is it? It is said, in local tradition and folklore, that late one night, after attending a local Jacobite meeting, the Captain was returning home to Extwistle via the gate at the top end of Netherwood fields. Here, he heard some strange noises, and hid himself in the undergrowth, both out of fear and curiosity. Soon, a train of little men came into view, now in silent procession; those in front were carrying a coffin.

In the moonlight the Captain was able to see, much to his horror, that the nameplate on the casket was inscribed with the Captain's own name!

Following the removal of the Parker family, Extwistle Hall was virtually left to dereliction, used only occasionally to house local farmers, and their labourers.

In the early 1880s, Extwistle Hall was home to the Edmondsons, James, aged 76, a farmer of 90 acres, and his wife Rachel. Also living there were his two sons, John, then aged 24, and Henry, aged 21, and two farm labourers, or servants, Thomas Howorth and James Stanworth.

However, over the next 120 odd years, Extwistle Hall was reduced to its now pitiful state of dereliction. The hall was sold off in October 1987, and plans put forward to make it into a clubhouse for an equestrian centre to be built around it, but nothing came of it.

How sad it is now to see this once grand hall with all its history and folklore in ruins -- surely it deserves more care, and a better future than this!