Our Project
“I’m grateful for the roots. I don’t think I would have developed as a poet anywhere else. I’ve had this very special material, though it took me such a long time to realise that it was there.”
Norman Nicholson in Pendennis - Observer Review 1981
Norman Nicholson in Pendennis - Observer Review 1981
The celebrated 20th century poet Norman Nicholson was born at 14 St George’s Terrace, Millom, Cumbria (or Cumberland, as it was when he arrived in 1914). It remained his home for the rest of his life. From here he achieved international standing as a poet, dramatist and critic, receiving both the OBE and the Queen’s Medal for Poetry. He died in 1987.
This three-storey Victorian terraced house was the home of Nicholson’s father, Joseph, who ran a gents’ outfitters business from the front room with his family, including Norman, living behind and above the shop. After Joe’s death in 1954 it became the home of Norman and his wife Yvonne. Following Norman’s death No 14 was sold and for many years a cafe operated on the ground floor with the upper floors unoccupied. The house was sold again in 2018 and a physiotherapy practice operated from the ground floor, with the top two floors still unoccupied, until our community interest company bought it in February 2024.
The Norman Nicholson House Community Interest Company (CIC) was set up in 2020 by the Norman Nicholson Society, with the aim of progressing the Society’s long-held ambition to buy and renovate the property. Our vision is to recreate the appearance of the house as it was when Joe’s business was flourishing and Norman was at his most productive as a writer. Our plans also include a cafe which will double as a space for community events, accommodation for tourists and writers-in-residence, and displays of Nicholson memorabilia. This will create a place which will attract locals and visitors, make a vibrant contribution to the community of Millom, and become a worthy memorial to the remarkable man who lived here.
In February 2024 we chalked up a major success by completing the purchase of the house, thanks to a wonderful donation from a benefactor, a grant of £20,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund, and a similar sum raised through a Crowdfunding campaign. In July 2024 we followed that up by securing a grant of £63,741 from South Copeland GDF Community Partnership which will cover the cost of essential repairs to the exterior of the house.
On this website you can find out more about the house and the CIC. Comments, suggestions and offers of help are welcome, via the Contact page.
There is much more information about Nicholson and his work on the website of the Norman Nicholson Society.
This three-storey Victorian terraced house was the home of Nicholson’s father, Joseph, who ran a gents’ outfitters business from the front room with his family, including Norman, living behind and above the shop. After Joe’s death in 1954 it became the home of Norman and his wife Yvonne. Following Norman’s death No 14 was sold and for many years a cafe operated on the ground floor with the upper floors unoccupied. The house was sold again in 2018 and a physiotherapy practice operated from the ground floor, with the top two floors still unoccupied, until our community interest company bought it in February 2024.
The Norman Nicholson House Community Interest Company (CIC) was set up in 2020 by the Norman Nicholson Society, with the aim of progressing the Society’s long-held ambition to buy and renovate the property. Our vision is to recreate the appearance of the house as it was when Joe’s business was flourishing and Norman was at his most productive as a writer. Our plans also include a cafe which will double as a space for community events, accommodation for tourists and writers-in-residence, and displays of Nicholson memorabilia. This will create a place which will attract locals and visitors, make a vibrant contribution to the community of Millom, and become a worthy memorial to the remarkable man who lived here.
In February 2024 we chalked up a major success by completing the purchase of the house, thanks to a wonderful donation from a benefactor, a grant of £20,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund, and a similar sum raised through a Crowdfunding campaign. In July 2024 we followed that up by securing a grant of £63,741 from South Copeland GDF Community Partnership which will cover the cost of essential repairs to the exterior of the house.
On this website you can find out more about the house and the CIC. Comments, suggestions and offers of help are welcome, via the Contact page.
There is much more information about Nicholson and his work on the website of the Norman Nicholson Society.
Let's lift this plan (by JCA, Cartmel) off the drawing board and make it reality!
THANK YOU to everyone who has helped us get this far:
The National Lottery Heritage Fund for funding architects' plans, feasibility study and specialist reports
The Arts Council for a generous contribution to the first two-day Norman Nicholson Festival in 2019
Millom Town Council for their consistent support and donations towards the Festival in 2019, 2021 and 2023.
Architectural Heritage Fund
South Copeland GDF Community Partnership
Cumberland Council
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Millom Stronger Towns Fund for funding our walking trails app
Millom CGP Trust for donations towards the Festival in 2019, 2021 and 2023.
The Norman Nicholson Society
Our wonderful patrons who have lent their names to our project
Michelle Scrogham, MP for Barrow-in-Furness
Trudy Harrison, former MP for Copeland
Katie Read, Tourism Development Officer
Jeff Cowton (Wordsworth Grasmere)
Karen Seward for a very generous donation in memory of Wilf Kimber
Everyone who has made a donation via our GoFundMe page
Our friends in the media especially BBC Radio Cumbria, NW Mail, and Around the Combe
Millom & Haverigg Civic Society
Heritage Trust Network
Cumbria CVS
Cumbria Arts & Culture Network
Alliance of Literary Societies
LitHouses
Oliver Lindner of Sterling Accountancy, Millom
Mike Darwell and Sarah Gerrish of John Coward Architects and the many individuals who have helped, guided and encouraged. Don't stop now!
A special thank you to the late Peggy Troll, Dot Richardson, and Doreen Cornthwaite, each a true inspiration.
The Arts Council for a generous contribution to the first two-day Norman Nicholson Festival in 2019
Millom Town Council for their consistent support and donations towards the Festival in 2019, 2021 and 2023.
Architectural Heritage Fund
South Copeland GDF Community Partnership
Cumberland Council
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Millom Stronger Towns Fund for funding our walking trails app
Millom CGP Trust for donations towards the Festival in 2019, 2021 and 2023.
The Norman Nicholson Society
Our wonderful patrons who have lent their names to our project
Michelle Scrogham, MP for Barrow-in-Furness
Trudy Harrison, former MP for Copeland
Katie Read, Tourism Development Officer
Jeff Cowton (Wordsworth Grasmere)
Karen Seward for a very generous donation in memory of Wilf Kimber
Everyone who has made a donation via our GoFundMe page
Our friends in the media especially BBC Radio Cumbria, NW Mail, and Around the Combe
Millom & Haverigg Civic Society
Heritage Trust Network
Cumbria CVS
Cumbria Arts & Culture Network
Alliance of Literary Societies
LitHouses
Oliver Lindner of Sterling Accountancy, Millom
Mike Darwell and Sarah Gerrish of John Coward Architects and the many individuals who have helped, guided and encouraged. Don't stop now!
A special thank you to the late Peggy Troll, Dot Richardson, and Doreen Cornthwaite, each a true inspiration.
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