Orchard House was converted from two eighteenth century houses, Nos. 67 and 69 High Street, in 1904 for Joseph William Mann; the architect was Alexander Ellis Anderson.
J W Mann was at that time Olney’s largest employer, having moved to Olney from Northamptonshire in 1880, founding a shoe factory there in 1884 with his partner, William Hinde.
J W Mann was not only of some standing in the town as a local manufacturer and employer, but also seems to have been a generous local benefactor, as well as being involved in bringing social and economic improvements to the town in the early 20th century.
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Soon after J W Mann’s death Orchard House was sold to Robert Frederick (Bob) Soul, who preserved the house generally in its 1904 conversion condition until his death in September 2006.
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Robert and his brother William, better known as Bob and Bill, Soul ran a successful garage and coach hire business. Bob was also heavily involved in property management and financial investment. Bob and his wife Dorothy had 6 children, some of whom developed additional business interests in the locality that bear the family name today.
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An extensive article on Orchard House and on its two celebrated owners Joseph William Mann and Robert Frederick Soul is presented in the following link:
https://www.mkheritage.org.uk/odhs/articles/high-street-tour-orchard-house/