Description:This row of three timber framed buildings on School Lane was possibly originally built in the late 17th century as a single house, and is Grade II listed. The thatch has since been replaced by tiles.
The furthest building with roof lights is the School House, also Grade II listed. A plaque on the building reads: ‘This house was built at the charge of Mr Thomas Barnes native of this place and a citizen of London in the year of Our Lord 1717. For the dwelling of a person to teach the children of this village to read English.”
Thomas Barnes was abandoned as a baby in a schoolhouse barn. Legend has it he was named 'Thomas' after the Saint and 'Barnes' after the barn. Thomas was brought up as an orphan and went to Tamworth Grammar School in the late 17th century. He then went to London, became a merchant, and later endowed the school.
Postcard by Lillywhites (1932) Ltd. of Sowerby Bridge.