The Yews - 73 Kettering Road

Presented by Margaret Craddock

This is a mid-18th century large twin-gabled property with later alterations. It is constructed from coursed rubble with ironstone bands, a slate roof with coped gables and 19th century yellow brick ridge and end stacks. The central white-painted porch is also 19th century. The double gable (one of which is rendered) fronts Kettering Road, with the principle elevation only visible in glimpses when approached from the south. Given the window proportions it is likely that the 20th century sash windows have replaced the original casement windows. The gateway to the property is an important feature in the street scene and is also an indicator of the status of this property. The interior is believed to contain a Victorian Gothic carved fireplace and panelling brought in during the 1920’s. A large garden adjoins the house.

In 1892, it was the home of the prominent local citizen and businessman, Charles Barlow (see link below). He employed a live-in domestic servant and a staff of five other domestic servants and gardeners to look after his family and the house. He died in 1923.

Before its purchase by Charles Barlow, Princess Kaiulani of Hawaii had stayed at The Yews with her former headmistress, Mrs Sharp from Harrowden School for Girls where she had studied. Click below to read about the Princess.

In 1924, the occupants of The Yews were Mr & Mrs Oliver Tailby. Mr Tailby was a member of the town’s first urban council and its chairman on two occasions. All his life he was connected with the Burton Latimer shoe firm of Whitney and Westley Ltd., the firm which he originally joined as an office boy and of which he became managing director. Click below to read about Mr Oliver Tailby and Mr Tailby’s funeral. After Mr Tailby died in 1960 his widow, Lucy, lived there until 1965 together with her niece, Marjorie Palmer and her husband Ron.

Memories from Tony Palmer: “Occasionally I would visit ‘The Yews’ in Kettering Road, Burton Latimer. It was a grand house with a large garden. Oliver, or Uncle Ollie as he was known to me, lived there with Lucy and Ron Palmer and his wife Margery. Ron was the son of Albert and Florence Palmer.

“The large garden had heated greenhouses and a vegetable plot. Fruit trees were also very prevalent. At the top of the garden was a tennis court which was overgrown. If you walked on the garden path for its full length and turned left at the top you could then enter Station Road. The local policemen called at ‘The Yews’ and used this path quite regularly”. Click below for further memories.

From 1966 The Yews was occupied by Stan Firmin, a local garage proprietor, and his family until at least 1971.

For approximately seven years the family of Mr Robin Rich lived in the property.

According to records, The Yews is mentioned as a residential care home from 1986.