A family of artisans has been working at a historic school building for 160 years

Five generations of the Greenwood family of Sutton, near Keighley, have worked as skilled artisans at what was Malsis Hall, now Malsis School, in Cross Hills.

The first was Arthur and the latest is his great-great grandson, Andrew, 49, who began working at Malsis when he was just 16.

Andrew’s 16-year-old son, Jack, is now training to be a joiner and already carries out odd jobs at the school, meaning the Greenwoods’ generations of service look set to stretch to a sixth.

The school’s headmaster, Marcus Peel, said: “The Greenwoods have been an integral part of Malsis for so long now and we are lucky enough to have Andrew, head of the latest generation of the family, as our estates manager.

“He is the heart and soul of Malsis and is intensely proud of the family tradition here. Nothing is too much trouble for him and he lives and breathes the place.”

Andrew said: “I feel we Greenwoods are guardians of this wonderful Malsis building and estate. I grew up watching my father, Cedric, working here, just as he grew up watching his father, John, working here too.

“Meanwhile, my great-great grandfather created the plasterwork for the entrance hall and the head teacher’s study.

“This family tradition gives me such pride and makes every working day a joy rather than a chore. It gives me the chance to preserve and enhance the work of my family and ensure that it will last for the generations to come.”

Stunning heraldic panels in the entrance hall of Malsis are a classic example of the Greenwoods’ work.

Andrew said: “Whenever I climb up to the ceiling to do some minor restoration of these panels, I feel my dad looking over me. They were painted by him more than 35 years ago. I’m very proud of what he has done and the quality of the work he has left.”

Cedric, whose legacy also includes painted panels in other rooms, is now 79.

He suffered a serious fall when he was in his 60s and is no longer able to help.