Woodrow Hill
Bond House, Woodrow in the early 1980s, front view facing south, overlooking
the Hollings Estate. Approach to the house is at the top of Bondfield
Terrace houses along a small unmade road (i.e. between Bondfield Terrace
and the front row of Albert Place. The house was built in the mid 19th
century by the Hollings family when they moved from Templar House, where
they had lived for many, many years.
Bond House is now modernised and very little of the old exterior remains.The
last members of the Hollings family to live in Bond House was Mr. George
Hollings, the village Vet.. He vacated the house in the 1950s.
The
Hollings family is mentioned in the Methley records of 1560, when Thomas
Hollings died and his will was proven. 1574 - John Hollings was born at
Methley, - 1592 Thomas, Roger and George mentioned. Pepys in his diary
of 1660 records having met a Methley man John Hollings, at Magdalen College.
In 1624 Roger (1584-1661) renewed the seating in St. Oswald's Church -
a wooden plaque on the north wall of St Oswald's records this. Many members
of the family in later generations were eminent physicians to royalty
and nobility (e.g. John Hollings was physician to the King 1727 - 39).
Richard Hollings was Solicitor General to the Prince of Wales 1736 - 1741.
In the Civil War - 1642-45 - the Hollings family favoured the King's cause,
while the Saviles (Lord of the Manor) supported Parliament and there were
bitter quarrels between the two families. Indeed Roger Hollings called
Savile a traitor. This indicates how powerful the Hollings were when they
were not afraid of Savile's power. They were said to have planted a row
of 'spite' trees almost opposite Bondfield Terrace to block out each others
view.
Bond House, rear view
Notice the staircase window, an original window. The other windows have
been modernised