Stratton

Dear Jeda. I am interested to know who your Grandfather might have been and also if it might be possible to see a copy of the photo and the letter.

HESLEY WOOD originally formed part of the Earl Fitzwilliam's estate. During the 19th Century the land was acquired by mining company Newton Chambers Ltd. for coal mining. Mining continued until the 1920's, when the site became dormant until 1946. In that year Newton Chambers Ltd. devised a scheme through their Managing Director, Sir Harold West, then County Commissioner, whereby the South Yorkshire Scout Association made use of the land at a peppercorn rent with the option to buy 68 acres of woodland plus 23 acres of grassland in 1970. Harold West died in 1968 but through the West Charitable Trust which he set up for his philanthropic purposes the Scout Association was able to purchase the freehold of the site.

Harold West on arriving in Sheffield lived at The Horbury (now Horbury Hall) in Chapeltown. He then moved to Kenwood Park Road. Then to Raincliffe which is now Hartwell Care Home and finally to Muswell Lodge on Brinciliffe Crescent.