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White Windows Cottages, SOWERBY BRIDGE, HX6 1BJ

A poetic as well as accurate name. An imposing house by John Carr, presenting a severe but typically well-proportioned elevation to the street. Built 1767-68 for clothier John Priestley. Grade II listed. It is now a Leonard Cheshire nursing home. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the C18th architectural hierarchy, Carr (1723-1807) was somewhat more accomplished than most of the breed of skilled, provincial builder-architects of the Georgian era. Whilst not sitting at the top table of the London elite, he was the only provincial member of the London Architects' Club, and "was known and respected in the most sophisticated architectural circles" (Howard Colvin's Biographical Dictionary of British Architects). Based in York (hence his moniker 'Carr of York'), he was "for more than half a century the principal architect practising in Yorkshire and the north of England" (Colvin). His successful and lucrative practice was based very much on country houses for the gentry, the exteriors of which were generally plain but immaculately proportioned and the interiors of which largely followed the fashions set by Robert Adam. He also designed public buildings, churches, and bridges, the latter in his capacity as Surveyor of Bridges for the West Riding (1760-73), and later, as the equivalent (but better-paid) for the North Riding. Carr was also actively engaged in civic life, serving as a city chamberlain, sheriff, alderman, Lord Mayor, and magistrate. All this was achieved in the absence of any professional training - like his father, grandfather and great grandfather before him he trained as a stonemason. On his death, the practice was inherited by his assistant, Peter Atkinson, whose son in turn inherited, and remarkably the practice continues to this day, currently in the guise of Brierley Groom, making it, according to Wikipedia, "the longest running practice in the United Kingdom and probably the world."

Cast with the lettering 'MCWW 1893'. MCWW is Morley Corporation Water Works and 1893 was the year in which the 15 inch supply main was laid from Withens Clough Reservoir in Cragg Vale, Mytholmroyd, to storage reservoirs in Morley.

For a close view see Image

A Cheshire home.

A Cheshire home.