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Wilfred Road, BOURNEMOUTH, BH5 1NB

Crabton Close Road is a residential road in Boscombe, near Bournemouth.

This box is just in Chessel Avenue, by the corner of Beechwood Avenue.

Recently completed, on Beechwood Road, next to Image http://www.shelleymanor.co.uk/

The son of the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley lived here at the former Boscombe Manor in Shelley Park, which in recent years has been completely refurbished as a medical centre and apartments. The private theatre that was built for Sir Percy's mother the "Frankenstein" author Mary Shelley has been separately restored with material donations and volunteer help. Image Image

This was the home of Sir Percy Florence Shelley (born in Florence in 1819) from 1849 until his death in 1889. The only son of the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and his second wife Mary to survive into adulthood, he lived here with his wife Jane. Unlike his father and mother, he was not particularly literary, but had a passionate interest in amateur dramatics, building two private theatres, the one he built at Boscombe Manor having recently been restored. This complex of buildings which have evolved over the years is now a medical centre and private apartments. Image

This large mansion was originally built for the 'Frankenstein' author, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, in 1851. She married poet Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1816 and their family, including her only surviving son, Percy Florence Shelley, are recalled in several road names in the area: Percy, Florence and Wollstonecraft Roads spring to mind. The House was owned by the Arts Institute, Bournemouth's art college, but was last used in 1998 and has slowly decayed since. It was handed over to Bournemouth Borough Council in 2001 and, though slow to progress, plans are afoot for sensitive redevelopment into dwellings.

After several years of neglect, an apparent false start & hiatus, renovation has started in earnest, and the western side of the building is swathed in scaffolding (the eastern part is protected & can't be altered). As seen from Chessel Avenue. For a history of the building & future plans for it, see http://www.shelleymanor.com/

With building work finished and scaffolding gone (Image), Shelley Manor Medical Centre has relocated from Image The unrendered part of the building to the left is listed, and campaigners are hoping to raise funds for its renovation. http://www.shelleymanor.com/

Looking towards the tennis courts in the northwest corner of Shelley Park, our view interrupted by the fence cordoning Image

On Beechwood Avenue, assisting with the construction of an apartment block next to Shelley Manor; as seen from Shelley Park. http://www.kinglifting.co.uk/