Wentworth Woodhouse owner passes away

THE family of Wentworth Woodhouse owner have paid tribute to “a gentleman with energy and passion” after he passed away last week.

Mr Newbold was found in his bedroom on the morning of April 29.

Below is his full obituary and a tribute from his family:

It is with great sadness that the Newbold Family announce the death of Mr Clifford James Newbold DiplArch FRIBA FCIArb who died peacefully in his sleep early on Wednesday 29th April 2015.

Mr Newbold leaves his wife Dorothy Esther sons Marcus and Giles and his daughter Felicity. Sadly Paul his eldest son died unexpectedly in November 2012. He also leaves five grandchildren Camilla, Antonia, Henry, George and Harry.

Clifford James Newbold was born in Islington, London on 2nd July 1926. He attended Highgate school and after school did two years national service in the pay corp.

After finishing his national service Mr Newbold returned to complete his studies to be an architect. He joined the architectural practice of Ronald Ward & Partners Architects 1952-1967 where he was involved in the design of both Milbank Tower and Dungeness Lighthouse. Both were included in the first listing of post war listed buildings. He was involved with the design of many offices, banks, factories, hospitals, warehouses and industrial units over a period of fifteen years in British West Africa.

In 1967 Mr Newbold set up his own architectural practice in Devonshire Square and until 1982 (when he retired due to ill health) he was responsible for designing banks and office buildings and the restoration of many period properties in London and the Provinces. 

Whist living in Highgate, London he was a founder member of the Highgate Rotary Club. He was church warden at St Michael's Church for many years. He was also a school governor at both St Michael's Primary School  and at Highfield School.

In the City of London Mr Newbold was actively involved with many city organisations. Ronald Ward encouraged him to become a freeman and to join the guild. He was a Freeman of the City of London. In 1960 he became a livery man in the worshipful company of Coopers. Mr Newbold joined the court in 1969. He was a Past Master and Member of the Guild of Freeman and a past Master & Member of the Worshipful Company of Coopers in the City of London. He was the Past President of the Society of Livery Companies and Past President of the Bishops Gate Ward Club and a Member of the City Livery Club. He was also a member of the City Pickwick Club and was involved with the United Wards Club. He was involved with the Royal Society of St George (City of London branch).

Mr Newbold then retired to live in Guernsey where he was involved with and elected President of the Past Rotarians on the Island of Guernsey.

In 1999, Wentworth Woodhouse a grade one listed county house of both National and International importance came on the market. As it was obvious that this wonderful building was in desperate need of saving for the nation Mr Clifford Newbold (a chartered architect) came out of his retirement to purchase and manage the project of bringing this historic building back to its rightful place in the public domain.

The house has always been in the Guinness book of records as the largest private house in the country. Restoration work was started and was progressing but has been hampered by subsidence caused by mining in the area.

Wentworth Woodhouse has been open to the public since September 2012. 

The opening and development of Wentworth Woodhouse has started to bring extra tourism (both National and International) to South Yorkshire and has had a favourable impact on local businesses and other attractions. 

His family would like him to be remembered as a wonderful, loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle. A gentleman with energy and passion who, in his seventies, took on the challenge that is Wentworth Woodhouse with the aim of preserving this monumental mansion for future generations.

As the old Greek proverb goes: 'A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in.'