Rookery House
Rookery House in Erdington was built in 1726 by Abraham Spooner and added to by the family over the years. It is primarily a classical house with Victorian embellishments. Barbara Spooner, daughter of Abraham, married the abolitionist William Wilberforce. It was acquired by the Council in the early twentieth century and has gradually fallen into decline ever since.
A steering group, headed by Phil Mist has endeavoured to save the house and good news came only weeks ago with the announcement by the council
that 300k had been allocated to make the building water tight and get rid of the spreading dry rot. Further help came in the form of the Conservation Trust who have also pledged their support. The house in recent years has been the site of art exhibitions, drama, music and film making. When the restoration is complete it is hoped that the house will once again be a centre for the arts, office space and the old depot next door an allotments. On St.Georges day 2010, the future of Rookery looks promising.
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