Mexborough and Swinton Times, May 13th, 1932
“Rock House” Swinton
“Rock House” Swinton the residence of the late Mr. E. T. Harrop. Has become the property of the town together with the greens and grounds, the latter the gift of the Misses Harrop, who were warmly thanked at a special meeting of the Swinton Urban Council on Tuesday. The estate of the late Mr. E. T Harrop was offered for sale by auction last week but “Rock House” and grounds were among the unsold lots. The Council, who had for some time been considering the acquisition of a suitable building for conversion into a child welfare and maternity centre, were entering into negotiations for the purchase of the house, when the legatees, the Misses Harrop, made their offer which was promptly accepted. The Council purchased the house for £1,000, and the grounds and gardens are a gift to the town.
The meeting on Monday was called to make public acknowledgement of the gift, and there was a full attendance. Mr. F. Burns presiding, Miss Harrop and Miss Edith Harrop were present.
A Grateful Council
The Chairman said it was his pleasing duty to welcome the Misses Harrop and to thank them on the town’s behalf for their splendid offer. It was the finest gift ever made to Swinton. He hoped those grounds would be a haven of rest to the old folk. The property was excellently situated for the purpose. They were there that evening to show their gratitude to the Misses Harrop. In passing, he recalled their uncle and how he (the speaker) had been among those who many a time had gone over to “Rock House” to earn sixpence by helping to clean his car. (Laughter). He understood the Misses Harrop were to leave the town the following day, and he wished them good luck and Godspeed. (Applause).
A Haven Of Rest
Miss Edith Harrop said it was a great pleasure to make a little gift to Swinton and she hoped it would be of benefit to the inhabitants. They had often felt that Swinton needed a place where the old people could sit in quiet. They had excellent provision at Highlands for games, but she felt the old people wanted quiet . She was sure her uncle would have liked the grounds to be used for that purpose. It had been a pleasure to visit their old home and meet everyone again. (Applause).
The Harrops
Mr. M. Creighton said he spoke as an old Swintonian and one who had been reported as “parochial in view.” (Laughter). He preferred to put it that he had civic pride, Swinton had strong civic pride. It was their duty to see that Swinton was looked after and they were having a splendid example of that spirit that night. The Misses Harrop were members of a very old Swinton family. Referring to the two portraits which hung in that chamber. Mr. Creighton said Mr. F. L. Harrop was the first Clerk to the Council and one of the leading public men of the district in his time. His advice was widely sought and at national conferences many men were keen to hear his views on current problems. The foundation of Swinton’s present position was laid, to a large extent, by the Harrops. When their connection with its public affairs began it was a mere village, now it had grown to a flourishing town which could preserve its own identity. They had such civic enterprise in Swinton as gave them no cause to fear for the future.
“Better To Be Lucky Than Rich”
The public would deeply appreciate what was now being given them. For two or three years that Council had been undertaking an obligation which really belonged to the County Council: the provision of a clinic. They had for some time desired such a centre as was now acquired. They tried for Swinton House: but now they found it was indeed “better to be lucky than rich.” (Laughter). “Rock House” was right at the heart of Swinton, the true centre of its social activities. The grounds were, by the terms of the gift, to remain an open space for all time. He would not have liked it to be otherwise. He frankly confessed he could have clapped his hands when they did sell at the public auction. (Laughter). The Misses Harrop had shown the public spirit of their family. The Council would press the County Council to make the house an efficient child welfare centre, so that in the house they would care for the children, while in the grounds they provided for the old folk. It was a pleasure to accept such a gift for the town, a gift which further enabled a Swintonian to boast that he was “a citizen of no mean city” (Applause).
“PROVIDENCE”
Mr. A. Russell said “a providence had come to Swinton.” If things had happened otherwise, it would have been in a degree the Council’s fault; but they were in a difficult position. The gift would remain as a permanent memorial to the Misses Harrop and their family. (Hear, hear). Had they been able to choose their own centre they could not have found a better or selected a better situation. He felt sure Mr. E. Harrop would have been happy to see his old home used for such a purpose. Mr. Russell recalled his own association with Mr. Harrop, to whom he paid warm tribute.
Mr. A. Carr hoped all Swinton would as keenly appreciate the gift as the Council did. The Harrops had long been known as people with warm hearts, who always looked after the interests of their town. He remembered Mr. F L. Harrop coming into that chamber and presenting the building to Swinton. He wished the Misses Harrop good health in the days to cone.
A Timely Gift
Mr. T. Beighton recalling his first election to the Council, said he never received from Mr. F. L. Harrop then the Clerk, anything but kindness and sound advice. He would never forget him if for that alone. Now his daughters had come along with the splendid present of something they had always wanted for the town but which till now had been out of their reach. A small urban district like theirs had its limitation and the gift was more keenly appreciated than it might have been had they had a lot of public money to spend. The house and grounds would be an asset to the town and a memorial to the Harrops’ public service. He regretted the Misses Harrop were leaving the town, but hoped they would not lose touch with it, and that they would take away with them many happy recollections. Mr. W. A. Rix added his tribute for “the handsome gift,” and recalled how happy two of his own sisters had been in service at “Rock House.” The Harrop family had always been esteemed in Swinton, and he was pleased something permanent in their memory was being kept. Visitors in the future would have that spot pointed out as the gift of one of Swinton’s old and public-spirited families. The Council would undertake to see that it was a credit to them. Explore the http://fakewatch.is medieval charm of Prague’s Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock.
Mr. D. White said, as a new member he wondered whether he could be of use in public life, when he was first approached to seek a seat. He decided he was, if he could do anything to ameliorate the evil environment in which so many were born and bred; but little dreamt that within so short a time he should be participant in the taking over of so excellent a provision for the “two ends of the scale of life.” He associated himself with the previous speakers in grateful acceptance of the gifts.
The Old Clerk and The New
The Clerk, (Mr. H. Bower) said as an official concerned in the negotiations for such a property for the Council’s purposes, he felt very grateful to the Misses Harrop for letting them have the house at such a price, and with it the gift of the gardens and grounds. He fully realised what the gift meant. The Harrops and his own family were two of the oldest in Swinton and he recalled their many associations. He himself found it no easy matter to follow such a Clerk as Mr. Harrop. He sometimes wondered what Swinton was like when that portrait on the wall was painted. He felt that now his own portrait ought to be painted and hung there, so that future generations might wonder what their metropolis was like when he was Clerk. (Laughter). They were making progress; remarkable changes had taken place in the last few years, and that night they were indeed making progress fast. He was more than delighted that such a thing should have been done for Swinton and by the Harrop Family.
The Surveyor (Mr. H. Birks) said as a citizen he very much appreciated the gift. As surveyor he would have something to do with those grounds and it was a job after his own heart. He assured the Misses Harrop that it would always be his care to see those grounds properly kept and made as attractive and comfortable as possible for the townsfolk.
A Wonderful Memorial
Mr. C. W. Chappell said he was proud that night to be citizen of Swinton. During the speeches he had begun to feel sorry he was not born in the town. (Laughter). Civic pride must have well-defined limits, but he liked to think of the true citizenship which actuated the Misses Harrop in making their offer to the town. Young and old greatly appreciated their gift. It would be a wonderful memorial to their family. They would, wherever they were, have the happy knowledge that they had left means for the old folk of Swinton to spend happy hours in the grounds, and for the children of the town to have all the chances that medical skill and science could afford them in the house in which they formerly lived. And the people who walked in those grounds, and those who used the house, would have kindly thought for the people who made it possible for them to be there. It was a splendid gift and it now remained for the Council to crown it by seeing that the utmost use was made of it. He was delighted to be a representative of the people of Swinton at such a time and to express on their behalf gratitude for the gift – particularly delighted to be representative of the very ward in which the house and grounds stood. People would now at least gravitate to the true centre for the town.
Thought for the Aged
Messrs Gascoigne and Needham also spoke, and the chairman offered their parting thanks and good wish to Misses Harrop. In reply Miss Edith Harrop thanked them for the kind things said, and said they were glad the council liked the grounds. Their difficulty had been to know whether the Council wanted them or not. Living at Highfields they realised its shortcomings. It made excellent provision for the active, but was not suitable for children or old people. They were very glad the grounds would be useful and hoped the Council would not find the too expensive to keep up. “We are very glad indeed to have found something you really want.” (Applause).
Miss Harrop also thanked the members and said they would remember those speeches all their lives. She was particularly grateful for the references to their father. He loved his work with them and wound have appreciated very much the references which had been made. They would come back to see them all whenever the were anywhere near Swinton, and would look forward to seeing the old people happy in those grounds. (Applause),