CRAVEN HOUSE CORRESPONDENCE APRIL 2008 Following Stanley's

[Stanley]

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Following Stanley's suggestion regarding inspecting the title deeds of Craven House I wrote to Mr Peter Walker of Messrs. Walker Foster, Solicitors at Craven House, Newtown. 

Although I was unable to arrange for an inspection of the deeds, I did receive some information that was of value to me regarding my other grandfather Harry Green who, it has been confirmed, worked in Craven House in the 1940s.

For information I'm attaching extracts from the correspondence between myself and Mr Walker incase there is some detail that's of interest : -


Dear Mr Walker....please forgive the intrusion upon your working day.

My name is Peter Harrison and I used to live in North Street, Barnoldswick - now in Yeovil, Somerset.  I have been conducting research into my family roots for a few years and there appear to be a number of connections between members of my family and Craven House, Newtown, Barlick.

A great uncle of mine, Alf Simpson served on Barnoldswick UDC for a number of years and was chairman in the early 1940s. He was a Baker by trade and in the Kellys directory 1936 is listed as operating his business from 1, King Street (could be a reference to Craven House?).....a great-grandmother of mine is shown in the 1921 Kellys : -  Mrs Elizabeth Ann Bowker, confectioner, Craven House, Newtown.....and on the passenger list of the ship SS Themistocles my grandfather Matthew Harrison (Elizabeth Bowker's son-in-law) sailed from London to Sydney giving his last address as Craven House, Newtown, Barnoldswick.

I am writing to ask if it would be possible to either arrange for someone local to you acting as my agent to have sight of the deeds, or perhaps have information extracted as a kindness by a member of your staff. 


Dear Mr. Harrison,

I duly received and thank you for your email,the contents of which I note with interest.I'm afraid that the Title Deeds are in mortgage and are therefore not readily available for inspection.However I do have some limited knowledge which you might find of interest:in common with many buildings in the town I believe the property was constructed in or around the *1880's.The property was originally The Commercial Hotel(in reality an upmarket bed and breakfast)within the building operated a Dentist and a Herbalist.Annexed to the building is an old stable block and on the first floor level there are a number of rooms which presumably housed  a couple of cottage industry businesses--long since redundant.

Following the depression in the 1930's the Commercial Hotel closed and the building was acquired by some solicitors from Colne-Bracewell and Leaver,I believe.That practice was bought by my grandfather during the war and changed names to Walker Charlesworth and Jefferson.My father practiced from here from after the war and in 1955 changed names to Walker Charlesworth and Foster.My father continued with the business until his death in 2000 and I joined him here in 1985 and I have remained until the present date.

Consequently it would seem that your relatives worked either in the Hotel,in the Dentists,Herbalists or in one of the cottage industries.Alternatively they may have been long term residents in the rooms within the Hotel.

That just about concludes my knowledge as to the building and I hope this information is of use to you in your reseach.Doubless you can let me know if you uncover any more interesting information.I can advise that the property was also known(and still is occassionally)as 1 King Street.

With Best Wishes,
Peter C. Walker


* Note : - I pointed out that it has been established that Craven House is shown on the
1853 Barnoldswick Ordnance map....PH.                                                                                                                           

Dear Mr Walker,

I am most grateful to you for taking the trouble to respond so comprehensively to my email regarding the history of Craven House.

There is, I think quite amazingly, another connection between my family - this time on my mother's side - and Craven House.  I believe that my maternal grandfather Harry Green worked there in the late 1940s...my brother tells me that our grandfather worked in Craven House at that time and he feels that it might have been signed "West Craven Building Society"... 

If there are any any old photographs of Craven House available that could be uploaded to me (at as large a file size as possible/convenient) I would be very appreciative. 

Thank you again.
With best wishes  -  Peter Harrison


Dear Mr. Harrison,
I've read your email and extracts with interest....you'll never believe it but Harry Green was working in the office when my father came to Barnoldswick,and they worked together for a number of years--my Dad used to speak fondly of him;what a small world!When my father was here the building society was Keighley and Craven Building Society,doubtless an expanding west craven society!

I'm afraid I've no old photos which are emailable,but I have an old one framed which can be inspected next time you are in Barnoldswick.

Best Wishes,
Peter C. Walker


Dear Mr Walker,
Thank you for the information regarding my late grandfather Harry Green.  Harry died when I was about 6 years old and as I have only rather vague early memories of him, it was good to read the comments that you made about your father's regard for him.

I have a passion for old photographs, particularly those that have an association with my family....I have a large number stored on computer and they are linked to my computerised family tree/database.  I feel that if I persevere I will be able to track down early photographs of Craven House.

Again, my thanks for your interest and responses.
My very best wishes  -  Peter Harrison


Edited by - peteaharrison on 16/04/2008 01:16:53 AM