Originally a Georgian red brick house built in circa 1790, it has later been stuccoed probably in the early 20th century. Originally it was a quite basic two up, two down cottage with cellar, outdoor privvy and coalhouse. Presumably called Cuckoo Cottage then because it adjoined, and was no doubt built on the Cuckoo field. Its garden stretched down to, and met that of No.5 Station Road. Both houses are of a similar date and built set back at right angles (why?) to Narborough Lane, now known as Station Road.
Above a plan of Cuckoo House drawn by Nev Duncan. Nev lived there from 1940-1946 and regularly scrumped the orchard of 5 Station Road when in season!
In around 1890 it was occupied by Allen Sharpe senior, a carter (1849-1930) born in Littlethorpe, his wife Jane, nee Lawson (1847-1913) who was born at Stony Stanton, and their seven children before moving on to Holly Farm in The Square. Previously Allen lived in Narborough Lane Yard.
Allen Sharpe senior (1849-1930) photogaphed in the stack yard of Holly Farm.
!n 1939 Henry Bingley (30/5/1900 – 1971) an agricultural labourer purchased the house, Cuckoo field, foal yard (later to become Mac Sharpes garage and taxi service, then The Mechanical Workshop. This was also previously the site of a chapel known as The Mud Hut, which was demolished in the 1920’s). The field known as ‘Littlethorpe Cow Close‘, the latter was used as cricket pitch by the Bingley Cricket Team. The house was rented out to Leslie Sharpe, (his brother-in-law), his wife Gertude and their children Audrey and David. They were there for a year before swapping with Bill and Mabel Duncan who lived in Spring Gardens with their children Molly and Neville. The Duncans then had it for six years until they bought 23 Station Road in 1946. They were followed by Kathleen Glover and her husband who had it for two years until 1948 when Jack and Joan Pickering moved in with son Andrew. Joan kept Bingleys stores for her father Cyril at 25 Station Road.
Henry Bingley sold the house and fields to John Smith I believe sometime in the 1960’s.
Sources: Nev Duncan, Rosemary Duncan,
As with any local history research continues on this and more information will hopefully be added as it is found, so keep checking for the latest updates. In fact if you can add anything to the above please get in touch via the contact form
Thanks for giving us some lnformation on our house as no deeds were left with the property when we bought it in 2011 the only thing was we had to register it at the land registry.
Thanks for getting in touch. As with everything old Littlethorpe the research is continuous. No doubt we’ll be in touch with each other if anything new comes to light.
All the best
Dave Thompson