Area 7.1 123 High Street North, Plough Cottage & 123-129 High Street North

Number 123 High Street North, Plough Cottage, keeps the name of the public house that it used to be, “The Plough”. In addition to having a pint in these premises you could also have your clock or watch repaired by Mr Elmer in his back room workshop.

Between numbers 123 and 129 High Street North stood a row of thatched cottages end on to the road, where a notable artist lived.

Miss Florence Edith Cheesman(1877-1964) was sister of Major Robert Cheesman (Military, Explorer and Ornithologist), working in Iraq during the British Mandate. In 1923 and 1924 Robert Cheesman, accompanied by his sister, journeyed to the Arabian Peninsula, where he made significant scientific and cartographic advances. During this time his artist sister, was busy making watercolour paintings about Iraq and it’s beautiful cities and landscapes. She even made some designs for Iraq stamps. Very little is know about Florence’s life during this period in Iraq. However, we in Stewkley know that Miss Cheesman painted many local scenes and her pictures still adorn Stewkley homes to this day.