Mexborough and Swinton Times, May 20th, 1932

Rock House

I am indebted to Mr. Basil Bower, Clerk to the Swinton Urban District Council, for correcting me on one or two points of fact with regard to the acquisition from the Misses Harrop of Rock House.

Touching my comment that the property was not, strictly speaking, conveyed as a gift, Mr. Bower informs me that an important part of it, the grounds, was distinctly and specifically a gift. The reserve price of the house and grounds was £2,000, the house being valued at £1,250 and the grounds at £750.

The Council decided to buy the property, and following its withdrawal from public auction, made an offer little short of the reserve price The Misses Harrop accepted the offer and then intimated that, as they would like to do something for Swinton, they would give the grounds – stipulating only that they should be preserved as public pleasure grounds – and would reduce the price of the house to £1,000, the Council having intimated their desire to put that also to some beneficent public use, such as the establishment of a maternity and child welfare centre.

“So that the transaction did include a distinct and separate gift which would have been available even if we had not purchased the house,” said Mr. Bower, “and I think it is but fair to the Misses Harrop that that should be made quite clear.” We agree, and we thank Mr. Bower for assisting us to put the transaction in its proper light. |Mr. Bower adds that the Council have a reserve fund from which they could have met, if necessary, the cost of purchasing the entire property at its market value.