The Nookin

The Nookin is a Grade II* listed building in Oulton that dates to the 16th Century, which architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner called "the best piece of timber architecture in the district".

Etymology
The name "Nookin" means "corner of".

16th Century
Despite the date 10th April 1611 listed on the bressumer, the Nookin was likely constructed in 16th Century.

20th Century
In 1960, the Rothwell Urban District Council decided that the building should be demolished after the four families living there were rehoused at the recommendation of the Health Committee. The Council had, at first, suggest it become a folk museum. However, after inspecting the building, one council member told the Yorkshire Evening Post : "We're pretty hard-headed. We don't like idea of wasting money on something that could be a running sore. The house will certainly have been taken down by the middle of June, probably before. It will be demolished under supervision, so that anything valuable can be preserved. The demolition contractors tell us no part of the house is any good for recovery." However, no such plans came to fruition.

21st Century
The Nookin is currently an office space for Powerbetter Soil Solutions.

Poem
Local historian Albert Brown references two verses of poem, the "Ballad of Edward Tailor's House", which he describes as providing a "potted history of events". The verses Brown included are as follows: The Lumly's and Tailor's lived jowl by side, In a pokey old cottage that riled his bride. As Edward's family continues to grow Isabel's temper did more often show. Anna, Beth; poor Maria died when eight, Ne'er reached as tall as the garden gate.

In Out-ton fair is a house of wreck, On the hillside near t'beck, said Isabel. Re-make this cott, if you love me true. A goodly place for our children, too. So Edward re-built the house to please the ego of his spouse, Where once had stood a Dower House.

— Unknown "The Ballad of Edward Tailor's House" in Albert Brown's Rothwell in the 900 Years After Domesday