My father commented that "there could be substance in the rumour that Col Richard Newman held property in London now commemorated by Newman Street". A different story comes from an apocryphal family history titled "The Newmans of Wessex" which states that "Francis [II] Newman, 2nd of Nth.Cadbury was succeeded by his nephew Francis [III] Newman, 3rd and last of Nth.Cadbury and of West House, both co.Somerset. This Francis speculated on, bought, and built Newman Street near Oxford Street, London, and Newman Hall, co.Essex, both purchased on credit from William Berner." Campbell Newman also wrote to me (email dated 29 Oct 03) saying: "I believe that a spectacular night of gambling (by Francis Newman of North Cadbury) was the explanation for William Berner's re-possession of Newman Street and Newman Hall."

Newman Street is easy to find; it runs north from Oxford Street towards the Post Office Tower.