Cossall: A Village Once Sold at Auction!

Did you know that the Parish of Cossall was once entirely owned by the Willoughby family of Wollaton Hall? A century ago, the village witnessed a dramatic turning point in its history, an event which forced the sale of Cossall’s land and buildings.

In 1922, the passing of Digby Wentworth Bayard Willoughby, the 9th Baron Middleton, triggered a hefty 25% death duty tax on the estate. Just two years later, the death of his successor, Godfrey Earnest Percival Willoughby, the 10th Baron Middleton, added another staggering 25% tax. These financial blows forced the sale of vast parts of the Willoughby estate, including Cossall.

On March 23rd and 24th 1925, the village was sold at auction in the Mechanics Hall, Nottingham.

This exhibition, which was enjoyed by around 100 local people included fascinating details about the historic auction, alongside displays exploring the wider history of Cossall and illustrating the story that shaped the village as we know it today.

John Wheatley is on the far right of this photo of the exhibition and next to him is Sir Michael Willoughby 13^th Baron Middleton.

If you missed this fascinating exhibition, it will be on display again at the Cossall Open Gardens Event in the afternoon of Sunday 8^th June, in St Catherine’s church.