Historic Rock Hall oil painting found on Ebay

The painting was discovered by chance for sale on a charity’s eBay shop.

The piece by local artist Ernest Holden, is a depiction of Grade II listed Rock Hall in Farnworth - once home to a family of paper manufacturers.

Today, the building is in a state of neglect and awaits the results of a £4million funding bid to restore it to its former glory.

When campaigners fighting to save the hall spotted the artwork on the Derian House Children’s Hospice’s eBay shop, they contacted the charity immediately to purchase the relic.

But staff at Derian House gifted the painting to the Rock Hall team, happy for it to be placed where it belongs, inside the grand building.

Jayne Allman, CEO and Founder of Banana Enterprise Network,  said: “We think it was in the hall because when vandals broke in, we removed one painting and people said there used to be another one with a dog in it.

“I was googling Rock Hall when I found the painting on eBay and asked Derian House if we could buy it without it going to auction.

“So we were thrilled when they decided to give it to us because it’s a lovely painting and should be in the hall.”

It is a mystery as to how the 90-year-old painting ended up in Derian’s possession, having been anonymously donated to one of its charity shops among other items.

The hall, which has lain empty since 2014 and has nothing of value inside, has been subject to theft and vandalism over the past few years.

This prompted husband and wife team Jayne and Christopher to search for items that could have once been displayed within the hall’s walls.

READ: Heritage Lottery bid launched to save Rock Hall

Save Rock Hall landmark challenge a huge success

The Save Rock Hall Project was started in 2014 when the couple began to look for a permanent headquarters for their charity, Banana Enterprise Network, and they came across the historic structure.

The couple plan to turn Rock Hall into a vibrant destination venue for the community.

Jayne said: “When Derian handed over the painting, we wanted to thank them and so brought them some gifts that they can sell in their retail shops. We hope to support their work in the future.”