Forum Topic

John Betts and Thomas Pocklington

I was held up early this morning by a chap shunting his lorry around Goldhawk Road and I sat there picking my finger nails and looking around for "something begin.... with" questions so who are John Betts and Thomas Pocklington, why were courts and trust named after them and I have a sneeky feeling that this used to be called the "Gift" of Thomas Pocklington, so also why has it changed, over to you guys I know you will be able to answer me

Jo Smith ● 6385d4 Comments

The elegant mansion flats dated 1907 funded by the Thomas Pocklington Trust, on the corner of Cromwell Avenue and King Street, are under threat again, as St James Developments are applying to convert the adjacent Cineworld cinema and nearby buildings on 2, 4 and 6 Nigel Playfair Avenue to a retail store and flats above, with parking below. Please send your objections to plancomments@lbhf.gov.uk by 3rd May.This latest application is one in a series which will see the whole block demolished and rebuilt by St James Developments and Waitrose. Do we really want to see the Thomas Pocklington building demolished?

Mrs Una Hodgkins ● 6329d

The Gift of Thomas Pocklington, now renamed Thomas Picklington for ease I think, was founded by Thomas Pocklington after he regained his sight, to help others who were blind.  Pocklington Lodge houses blind people.  TP make their money through property as far as I remember and use the profit to help the blind.  They used to be based in Chiswick.

Maggie Dodge ● 6367d

It seems a great shame that this is the only answer to my question, I remember some story about TP going blind and then getting his sight back and then saying if I make lots of money I am giving it to the blind and did the family not contest the will because they got nowt when he snuffed it but got all before he popped off.  I am sure there is some sort of story about this guy and I am sure the other chap was just boring

Jo Smith ● 6379d

Both were benefactors and donated land and money for the community.  There is also a John Betts primary school close by.

Caroline MacMillan ● 6383d