The fascinating and painstakingly researched new book Perdiswell Past and Present by Joan Hinks tells us much about the well-to-do families who lived in the country mansion which stood at the heart of the area.

Perdiswell Hall, an 18th Century property built in the classical Georgian style and with 25 bedrooms and dressing-rooms, was an imposing feature of the local scene on the northern edge of the Faithful City for 170 years - from 1787 until the late 1950s.

The first family to occupy the hall were the Wakemans who were involved in banking, gloving and the Church and played a leading role in Worcester's public life. Thomas Wakeman was Mayor in 1761, to be followed by his son, James, who was First Citizen in 1806.

But it was Henry Wakeman, another of Thomas's sons, who had Perdiswell Hall built in 1787. After years at sea with the East India Company, Henry returned to Worcester a wealthy man and set up home in Perdiswell Hall with his wife Theodosia and, subsequently, their three children.

However, society scandal hit the family in 1792 when Henry's young wife ran off with a Guards officer. He married again five years later and was, in essence, the local squire and benefactor, supporting worthy causes, particularly Claines Church. A baronetcy was bestowed on him in 1828 when he became Sir Henry.

The Wakemans owned Perdiswell Hall for the best part of a century, Sir Henry being succeeded by his son, Sir Offley Penbury Wakeman and, in turn, by his son, also christened Offley.

The next family to own and occupy Perdiswell Hall were the Walkers. Henry Walker, a prosperous manufacturer seeking life as a country gentleman, bought the estate for £26,805 in 1875. However, his wife Georgiana died at only 40 and he was left to bring up his four children, though with the aid of his sister and a large staff of servants including a governess, nurse and two nursery maids. He too was a significant local benefactor, especially generous to Claines Church and Claines School.

Totally by chance, while delving into the bound archives of Berrow's Worcester Journal only the other day, I found the following item, evocative of a scene from a Jane Austen novel.

The 1901 item stated: "Festivities at Perdiswell Hall - To commemorate the birthday of Miss Eva Mostyn Walker, a household ball was held at the hall on Friday last.

"The dining-room, which was converted into a ball room, was most profusely decorated with choice flowers, palms and ferns. The guests, who numbered upwards of 80, comprised a contingent from the staff of the 1st Worcester Regiment, to which Lieut. Walker, who is at present at the front in the South African War, is attached.

"Amongst the ladies of the house was Miss Eva Walker who was very gracefully attired in black satin and old lace and who wore a magnificent tiara of diamonds. Miss Florence Walker was very prettily dressed in a pale blue and white costume with turquoise ornaments, and a visitor, Miss Poulett looked very charming in a dress of ivory and Cambridge blue.

"Miss Eva Walker and the steward opened the ball, and the dancing was kept up with great zest until the early hours of the morning. The scarlet tunics of the military added picturesqueness to the scene. During the interval a sumptuous repast was provided by the hospitality of Mr Henry Walker."

Henry died in 1911 and the following year the estate was bought by a consortium of local businessmen. The last family to live at Perdiswell Hall were the Kirkhams.

John Rinder Kirkham, a horse breeder, trainer and polo player, took up residence with his wife and three daughters in 1913 but he died three years later following a riding accident.

His wife Ellen, a very generous woman, continued her husband's tradition of allowing the grounds of Perdiswell Hall to be used for charity fund-raising events.

Joan Hinks says that during their 26 years in residence up to 1939, the Kirkhams made Perdiswell Hall "a home full of love and life".

However, the family were never to own the estate, only to lease it from its different owners - the consortium of businessmen, then the county council and, finally, Worcester City Council.

In the wake of its wartime use as an airfield, Perdiswell Hall was devastatingly damaged by a blaze in 1956, and the city council, unable to afford the extensive repairs, ordered its demolition.

Perdiswell Past and Present, a book packed with a lively and highly readable history of the area down the years, is available, price £10.95, from Joan Hinks at 12 Checketts Lane, Worcester WR3 7JN (Tel: 01905-451894).

n Perdiswell Hall.