FoWH - Patron

Dr. Francis Broun

December 3rd 1942 - August 11th 2019

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of our group patron Dr Francis Broun. He may have been a Broun by name but he was a Tatton by bloodline. His mother was Betty Tatton, eldest daughter of Robert Henry Grenville Tatton who was the last owner of Wythenshawe Hall.

In recent years Francis and his wife Pamela lived on the Greek island of Poros. By chance they happened to come over to visit the hall one Sunday afternoon just as we were closing. After finding out that he was the grandson of the last owner, closing was obviously not really an option. We chatted for a little while and arranged for them to come back to visit and have a good look around the hall.

Over the last 5 years Francis and Pamela were very involved with the Friends group and were great supporters of everything we did. They were in regular contact with members of the group and always coming up with ideas for what we could do once the hall restoration was complete. Much more than this they became our friends.

Francis was so looking forward to seeing our beautiful Wythenshawe Hall open again. Unfortunately he became ill a short time ago and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Richard and Libby both visited and though it was obvious that Francis was very poorly none of us imagined that the end would come so soon. It had progressed to a point beyond treatment and sadly Francis passed peacefully on Sunday 11th August 2019 with his family at his bedside.