Sewell Barn Theatre space for presentations, meetings and other private hire uses. Originally the barn belonged to Clare House which was owned by Philip Sewell, a local benefactor, from 1864 to 1906. Anna Sewell, author of the children’s story "Black Beauty", was Philip’s sister and lived in the White House, Spixworth Road, Spixworth. Philip owned a mare called Black Bess which used to draw his carriage along Spixworth Road and it might be supposed that Bess was the original inspiration for Black Beauty, and the barn a prototype for Black Beauty’s stable. The book was published by Jarrolds in 1877. Philip Sewell died
Horace Sewell was known to his comrades and subordinates, and he was recognized as "black" by Americans who he came in contact with during his World War II posting. Horace Sewell Brigadier-General Horace Somerville Sewell, CMG, DSO & bar (1881–1953) was an officer in the British Army during World War I, notable for his mixed-race ancestry. Horace Sewell was born in Wales on 10 February 1881; he was the third son of Henry Sewell, who was in turn the eldest son of the prominent Jamaica planter William Sewell and the mulatto former slave Mary McCrea. Henry Sewell returned to England, where he