Knowle House

Knowle House is one of the original big mill owners' properties in the area. It has been owned by some of the wealthiest cotton and wool manufacturers in Keighley.

In the early part of the 1800s, the Lund family bought Knowle Farm from John Greenwood.. By 1822 he had moved from his house in Damside (now The Royal public house) to Knowle House, built on a field called Rawling Close.

John Greenwood built up his spinning business firstly at Low Mill, then expanded to North Beck Mills, Vale Mill in Oakworth and Swarcliffe near Ripon. He died in 1846 a few years after his firm had given up its business interests.

William Lund & Son employed at its peak over 1000 people in Keighley. It was one of the first firms in the area to use power looms.

The following year (1852) James married Mary Sarah Spencer, the daughter William Spencer, the owner of Malsis Hall, Sutton, and substantial landowner. The Spencer family lived near their lime works at Raygill rather than in the dilapidated Malsis Hall. On William Lund's death in 1861, James took over the Malsis estate, rebuilt the hall and lived there until his death in 1901. It now houses Malsis School.

William Clough was based with his brothers at Grove Mills, which was started by their grandfather, Robert Clough, after their father died in 1865. By 1901 William had retired from the business and lived in Knowle House with his wife and family.

The rebuilt Malsis Hall, Sutton c 1900

Percy Clough and the Keighley and Bradford Guests at the 21st celebration

Percy Clough was recorded as living in Knowle House in 1913. He had interests in textiles but was also a keen golfer.

In the 1920s, along with Norman Hackett, the two businessmen and keen amateur golfers persuaded the Royal and Ancient golf Club of St Andrews and the British Golf Unions that scientific research was an essential pre-requisite to the upgrading of golf courses. In 1929 the forerunner of the Sports Turf Research Institute, based at Bingley – The Board of Greenkeeping Research – was established with £303 funding from the R & A and £2,000 from the four national golf unions.

Percy was present at the STRI 21st celebrations in 1950. He died in January 1956.

Knowle House currently is used by a funeral director

References

The two manors of stutton Cowling moonrakers

1851 census Knowle House William Spencer

1901 census Knowle House and Knowle Spring

Link to Keighley & District Local History Society

For more history of the famous houses in Keighley visit the

valendale web site