By Margaret Crosby

Published at 11:11, Thursday, 09 August 2012

IN a bid to give greater protection to his historic home, Edward Caley-Knowles is to apply for Grade I listing for Jonathan Swift House.

home plan: Edward Caley-Knowles and his house, which he hopes will be awarded Grade 1 listing

Though there are still doubters that question whether the cliff top house above Whitehaven harbour was ever linked to Swift, the author of Gulliver’s Travels, Mr Knowles feels the evidence is overwhelming and has catalogued a list of references that support his case.

The house was given Grade II listing back in July 1987 in response to an application by Whitehaven Civic Society. Mr Knowles is applying to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to increase it to Grade I.

Mr Knowles is also hoping to have a booklet compiled for inclusion at Tourist Information centres, as he is constantly being asked by visitors about the house’s history. “I seem to spend hours answering questions from tourists, especially Americans, which is getting a bit wearing. I sound like a record, saying the same thing over and over again, repeating myself like a parrot!

“But I don’t want to be rude to people and refuse to answer them. I think a booklet or leaflet would be a good idea.’’

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk