Nottingham - NG3

Image: © David Hallam-Jones Taken: 17 Jun 2012

The Robert Wilkinson Smith Homes are situated off Chestnut Grove. When the second Lord Rancliff of Bunny Park Hall died he left his entire estate to his housekeeper, Mrs Burt, who subsequently married a certain Mr Alexander Forteath. At some point after their wedding Mrs. Forteath (formerly Burt) made the decision that following her death the estate should be returned to the descendants of Lord Rancliffe’s family. Notwithstanding this however, this former housekeeper simultaneously arranged for Arabella Hawksley, her niece, to benefit from the entire estate for the remainder of her life. Arabella married a certain Mr Robert Wilkinson Smith, a successful Nottingham lace manufacturer but under previously agreed arrangements, when Mrs Wilkinson Smith (as she had become) died in 1909 the Bunny and Bradmore estates including assets in Costock, East Leake, Keyworth, Ruddington and Wysall were returned to a next in line family member - Sir Richard Levinge, of Knockdrin Castle, Ireland. Not however, before the founders and trustees of Robert Wilkinson Smith Charity funded the building of this small housing complex in 1910 at a cost of £1,310. Robert Wilkinson Smith, who died c.1910, left property (houses) of his own in Lister Gate, Long Row, Clumber Street and South Parade.

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0