Hi, I've just come across this posting. I worked in the offices at The Knoll when it was owned by Quaker Oats from when I left school in 1982 until it closed down in 1993. The house was beautiful and it was always well kept. I had some wonderful times there and loved hearing stories about it from the staff who had been there much longer than I had. I remember them telling me about an event when they put a marquee on the front lawns. I know it was to celebrate how many years Sutherlands had been there but I can't remember how many years it was. Sutherlands owned the company before they sold off the sandwich spread part, then they moved to Kiveton and carried on trading from there with the sandwich and savoury goods. I think they might still be there but can't be certain. Quaker Oats bought the spread part of the company and ran it until Shippams from Chichester bought it in 1993 with promises to keep the business going. Needless to say, in October 1993 they closed it down. I can still remember locking the gates for the final time with another couple of staff and then going to the White Rose for a 'celebratory' drink.
One thing I remember about it was from when I was growing up. At Christmas time going on the bus with my mum to Sheffield City Centre we used to pass it and I loved the huge Christmas tree that was always at the front of the company. It was always a highlight of the 'trip' coming back home in the dark, seeing it lit up. Little did I know that I would end up working there and seeing the tree being put up and lit every year.
I'm sure I've a photo of the house before the car park was built. I'll try and find it to put it on here if anyone's interested. I've always wanted to go back to the house to see what's been done to it since we left, I often visually walk around the offices remembering good friends and times but I've also always been interested in it when it was a house and the layout of it then so if anyone has any information that would be great.
P.S. I'm sorry for the essay but as you can probably tell it holds some great memories.
