History
The photograph above is an old postcard of Sowerby, date unknown, but was obviously taken before the right-hand side of the road was demolished in the 1960s to make way for the Newlands Estate. Newlands Avenue is where the King’s Head Inn is. Move your mouse over the photograph to see a description of different parts of the image.
The contents of these pages have mainly been written by Jean Illingworth, John Kerridge and Malcolm Street.
If anyone has anything to add, whether it is a full article, some photographs, or just a few memories, we will be happy to include them here, then please contact us.
A Brief History of Sowerby from the earliest times.
The major landholding families here included:
- Horton of Sowerby Hall
- Stansfeld of Field House
- Rawson of Brockwell
Sowerby over 100 years ago
based on Thomas Heap’s 1913 photograph taken from the top of St Peter’s Church tower – a guide around the village building by building.
Buildings around Sowerby
59 Towngate – Ghostly Happenings
Almshouses
Bairstow’s Endowed School – Later known as Prospect House & Place
Castle Hill
Churches & Chapels
Field House
King Street
Laneside School
Providence Place
Queen Street
Sowerby Hall
Sowerby Workhouse at Lower Bentley Royd
Star Inn & John Almighty Whiteley
The Town House
Wood Lane Hall
Growing up in Sowerby… and more – a book written by Jean Illingworth
Some little known facts about Sowerby
The Ancient Order of Henpecked Husbands – a now-defunct local society