At the turn of the century the tithes were commuted at £220, in a gift of the Bishop of Manchester, and held by the Reverend W La Fontaine MA. Notable members of the community were: John Breedon, police constable; Mary Grocock, shopkeeper and post office; Reuben T Grocock, beer retailer, carter and tax collector; Miss Revill, school mistress; William Vessey, farmer and well sinker and another William Vessey, pig killer and vermin destroyer. The owner of Barnby Manor, Mr Frederick Platt, also had a large staff, William Griffiths was the head gamekeeper, Jesse Johnson was the gardener, Thomas Mills was the electrical engine driver, William Nicholl was the ‘agent’ to Mr Platt and William Tye was the woodman. Mr Frederick Platt died in September 1906 and his son, Mr Algernon John Frederick Platt, inherited Barnby Hall. However, as the following report from the Newark Advertiser, dated Wednesday 25 September 1912, states, Mr A J F Platt did not live there for much longer.

‘Information was received in Newark on Monday on the death at Lochmaddy, North Uist, Scotland, of Mr Algernon John Frederick Platt of Barnby Manor, near Newark. Deceased, who was only 36 years of age had been in bad health for a long time and at Barnby had been attended by Dr Dunwoody. Some 2 months ago he went to Scotland, hoping that the change would do him good. He there had a reoccurrence of his illness, and again the services of a medical man were required, but the patients condition grew worse, and 2 specialists were hurriedly summoned to his bedside; but their efforts were unavailing, and on Sunday night Mr Platt passed, death due to congestion of the lungs.
10 days ago Mrs Platt, who was visiting at her home, Muirhouselaw, NB was telegraphed for and hastened to her husbands side. She was with him at the end. Much sympathy will be extended to Mrs Platt and the young family in their bereavement.
Deceased was the son of the late Mr Frederick Platt, formally a High Sheriff for Notts, who in 1880, purchased the estate of Barnby Manor , remodelled and rebuilt the manor house. It is a remarkable coincidence that the son died on the sixth anniversary of his fathers death.
Deceased leaves a widow and three children. In May 1900 he married Norah, eldest daughter of Mr C J Cunningham of Muirhouselaw, St Boswells, NB, and the heir to the estate is the youngest child, Charles John Frederick Platt who is 5 years of age.
The deceased was a churchman and patron of the living of Beckingham. He will be buried besides his father and mother in Beckingham churchyard tomorrow, Thursday.’

All Saints' Church 1910

The photograph below shows the Willow Tree Inn and Front Street in approximately 1910 before there was a proper road in Barnby. Cheery Tree Cottage can also be seen, immediately beyond the Inn, as a row of 3 terraced houses. It is believed that some of the people in the photograph are the family members of Reuben T Grocock, the landlord, and others would probably be village members.

Front Street, approximately 1910

In 1925 a new Vicar arrived in Barnby, the Reverend Charles Edward B Deacon MA of Selwyn College, Cambridge. Mrs A J F Platt was still in residence at Barnby Manor in 1928. William G Hurrell was her chauffeur, Charles Johnson the gardener, Jas. Wm. Spray the farmer. Other notable villagers were: Chas Erskinson of Barnby House; Miss Emily Mary Grocock, shop keeper and post office; Thurston George Grocock, joiner; and Thomas Mills beer retailer.

For some time during the 20th Century Barnby-in-the-Willows had a thriving cricket team. The cricket pitch was across the river in Lincolnshire, over the bridge beyond Barnby Hall. The photograph below shows the Barnby Cricket Club from 1922 when they were Section A Champions within the Newark and District Cricket League.

Barnby Cricket Team 1922

Back row from left to right - J P Vessey, A Grocock, E W Tindall, E W Vessey (Captain), W Vessey, C Johnson,
A G Vessey, R Grocock.
Front Row from left to right - E Grocock (Umpire), H Grocock, S G Vessey, J G Vessey, T Mills, H Shipsides,
W Watson (Umpire).
Centre front - W Hadfield (Scorer)

In 1935 the new vicar was Reverend Harry Walton L.Th. of Durham University. In 1941 Barnby Manor was now the residence of Captain Charles John Frederick Platt, although his mother, Norah, was still living there. Their staff consisted of: William G Hurrell, chauffeur; Charles Johnson, gardener; Jack Marstin, stud-groom; Thomas Hollis Sheldon, farmer; Rd. Simpson, gamekeeper; and Edward Street, bailiff. Other notable residents were: Mrs Ethel E Vessey, grocer; Thomas Mills, beer retailer; Miss Mary E Hoyes, grocer; Mr John Edwin Miles of Barnby House and William McGregor of Flawford.

Barnby-in-the-Willows School 1937

Back row from left to right - John Troop, Bernard White, Amy Troop, Baden Troop, Margie Vessey, Joan Grundy, Dennis Mills, Albert Carby.
Centre row from left to right - Mrs Fox, Nora White, Joyce Edwards, Frank Pollard, Jim Patman, Ken Mills, Sid Parker, Jim Marshall, Nancy Vessey, Miss Vessey, Nellie Parker, Joyce Marshall.
Front row left to right - Muriel Mastin, unknown, Jan Mastin, Freda Carby, Lucy Carby, Annie Troop, John Easter, Leslie Fox.

The photograph above was taken during the Coronation Year of George VI, Mrs Fox, the Headmistress and Junior Teacher, is on the left and Miss Vessey, the Infants Teacher, is behind on the right.

Barnby-in-the-Willows School 1940

Back row from left to right - Unknown, Joan Grundy, Unknown, Stella ?, Margie Vessey
Centre rear row from left to right - Unknown, Unknown, Miss Vessey, Leslie Fox, John Easter, ? Toine, Baden Troop, Unknown, Noel Lavis, Mrs Fox, Unknown.
Centre front row from left to right - Joan Mastin, ? Troop, Jean Orton, Patricia Orton, ? Troop, Unknown, Sylvia Vessey.
Front row left to right - All unknown.

The photograph above was taken looking across Back Lane to the corner house, when there were large trees in Dark Lane.

If you know the names of any of the unknown children in these photographs could you please send me an E-Mail with the details.

The village school finally closed on 19 December 1963; Mrs I G Fox was still the teacher. There were 22 children on the register at this time including 4 from Sutton. Over the next 10 years the school was used, on occasion, by the village for social functions. However, in 1975/6 the Parish Council formally bought the school, from the owner Sir Henry Neville of Aubourn Hall, at a cost of £1000 for use as a village hall . The hall was renovated over the next few years aided by a grant from Newark District Council.

The photograph below was taken in approximately 1962 on a 'box brownie' by Mary Vessey. The photgraph shows George Edwards and Tom Mills, both World War One veterans, walking up Dark Lane towards the Old School House.

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Last updated: 22 June 2002