Lady Noble lived to a grand old age: she died in 1929 age 101 years. The family also suffered the sudden death of Phillip Noble (1870-1931) at this time. He had become a flying enthusiast. He died at the controls of a two-seater bi plane in July 1931. In 1930 the executors of Sir Andrew’s will had taken the decision to sell Jesmond Dene House and grounds. Their solicitors approached Newcastle Corporation.
After an initial offer of sale the family donated a part of the land for incorporation into the Dene but withdrew the tennis court from the lot. The House was sold for £11,000 and the court separately for £1000 (it had cost £8000 to build in 1894). The two deals were agreed and conveyed at the same time. The tennis court was then leased back to the Nobles on a 15 year lease at £50 per year. The lease was signed in June 1931 by Saxton, Sir John and Ernest Noble. Arthur Cochrane and Humphrey Noble were among the witnesses to their signatures.
When they acquired Jesmond Dene House and grounds the Council had said it would be open to the public and the grounds incorporated into the Dene. Various schemes were considered for the vacant house: a Museum of Engineering, a school of cookery, a maternity home, a home for the elderly. Within a year however they had leased it to Reverend Wilson for use as a girls’ school. A Mr.Mather had the right to graze horses in the grounds and he would eventually hold the leases on various outbuildings. The horses it was said saved the expense of cutting the grass. The retaining wall and fence on Mathew Bank were installed at this time as part of a road improvement scheme.
