Malcolm Bull's Calderdale Companion : Foldout

Sowood House, Coley
The Screaming Skull


Sawood House stands at the junction of Coley Road / Soaper House Lane / the Brighouse-Denholme Gate Turnpike

It was built around 1631 for Grace and John Whitley.

It was occupied by several families until it fell into disrepair in the mid-20th century, when it was bought and restored by Frank Drury around 1968. During the restoration, workmen discovered a human skull in an iron box. The box proved to be from the 17th century. It appears that the box was originally found at Sowood House around 1900, and interred in the churchyard at Coley. Subsequently, the House was haunted by cries of

Where is my head?

The head was replaced behind the chimney and the noises ceased




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© Malcolm Bull 2017 / [email protected]
Revised 14:00 on 8th May 2017 / mms384 / 4