An exhibition at an award- winning National Trust property in Notts reveals the secret life of its former owner William Straw. DAVID LOWE reports.

MR Straw's house in Worksop is a hidden treasure, a National Trust property unlike any other in its ownership. Located at No 7 Blyth Grove, it belongs to a world where time has stood still.

The chime of a grandfather clock echoes down the dark hallway but other than that the house stands silent.

Although it was home to Willam Straw until 1985, it never saw a TV set, radio, gramophone or telephone.

The family piano was hidden away in his mother's bedroom, a room untouched since the day she died in 1939.

William, the last of the Straw family, of Blyth Grove, died in 1990 at the age of 92 and with no heir, he bequeathed the house to the National Trust.

Many people assume that William was a recluse who didn't leave Worksop.

But an exhibition on view at the house until October 31 sheds a different slant on his life.

Megan Doole, custodian of the house, said: "The exhibition aims to show visitors different facets of William's life.

"Some people think he was eccentric. But we are showing that he had a range of interests and skills which changed throughout his long life."

Before returning to Worksop in 1938 he lived in London for 20 years teaching English at a business college.

He was based at The City of London College – now London Guildhall University – although the building that William worked in was destroyed by a bomb in 1940.

He had quite a social life, including theatre trips and meals out and lived in a number of lodging houses in East London. Before that he served as a signaller in the Leicester Regiment during the First World War.

Once back in Worksop he was on the Local Footpaths Committee, a big movement of the 1950s seeking to bring public rights of way back into use, and also the local museums and libraries committee.

He also published a book about and raised funds for St John's Church in Worksop.

Among the items on display is William's childhood Scout uniform, his teacher's gown and accessories and books showing his passion for gardening.

Documents in the archive indicate he removed Worksop Council as one of the beneficiaries of his will, apparently because he was cross with them for removing trees around the town.

As a result he had a change of heart about leaving the council money to spend on the maintenance of public spaces.

It was a momentous moment in 1991 when National Trust officials arrived to make the first assessment of the house.

They soon realised the rooms hadn't changed for more than 60 years.

A decision was made to leave it exactly as they found it to give the public a unique insight into family life between the wars.

William Straw senior ran a thriving grocery and seed business in Worksop, his younger son Walter joining him in the business while William junior left to teach in London where he made a considerable fortune by investing in Marks & Spencer shares.

William senior, wife Florence and son Walter moved into Blyth Grove, built in 1905.

Florence decorated it in the style of the day, dark and heavy wallpaper, patterned carpets, dado rails holding portraits and paintings in ornate wooden frames.

They lived a quiet, well-ordered life until the day in 1932 when Walter's father died suddenly at the age of 68. In their grief, the family decided nothing would be changed.

A calendar hangs in the dining room, the year is 1932. Father's pipe and tobacco pouch still hang beside the fireplace, and in the hall, his hats and coats remain on their pegs.

William came home the year before his mother's death in 1939. Afterwards he ran the house while Walter cycled into town every day to open up the shop.

They followed a rigid routine for 40 years, careful to the point of parsimony with their money, never throwing anything away, hoarding an eclectic mix of possessions which now give a fascinating insight to their lives.

The exhibition, entitled Who was William Straw, explores his personality through his diaries, letters and life events. Mr Straw's house is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-5pm. Visits have to be booked on 01909 482380.