Issue 06, January 2018

Inside this issue RAF Balderton during 10 the Second World War The mothers of 16 Mapperley Asylum Leicestershire’s 24 toy story

PLUS Refuge in the rock: The use of Nottingham’s caves in times of war • Stories from the Stone Wood and much more 1 HIDDEN VOICES WELCOME & CONTENTS 3

22 29

11 History and study starting with flexible qualifications Postgraduate 2018 September a historical pursue wish to if you is ideal This course MA History: PhD study. further for or as preparation degree beyond your interest Early Modern and Crusaders; included Crusades have Case studies Genocide, Memory, and Lynching; Race Slavery, and Cultures; Religions Turn'. Holocaust; Social History and ‘The Spatial This interdisciplinary Development: MA Museum and Heritage of museums and heritage interrogation academic combines course practice- with creative, and experiences organisations as ideas, development. in their ongoing It is delivered to approaches based with Museum Development Nottingham East Midlands, collaboration Regiment, Mercian City Museums and Galleries, Museum of the Langham. and Barker Museum the National Justice research advanced and Genocide: Pursue Holocaust research) MA (by the unique will have and Genocide. You in the field of Holocaust with the National Holocaust in research collaborate to opportunity and national within regional and be active and Museum, Centre memoryHolocaust networks. event at an open Book a place www.ntu.ac.uk/hum Heritage at NTU Heritage 25 or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit 5

So write So for us news of your details us have Let and events. community’s about your stories your take We’ll also We’d audience. regional a larger history to broader articles about our region’s welcome 1500- normally between past. Articles are for a look out, long. Keep too, 2000 words that will help illustrate images matching the number of pixels, (the higher work your the image). make can we the larger at us via our website Contact www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk or email [email protected]

of Brewhouse Yard, Yard, of Brewhouse 1650-1750 Nottingham, bankers and cloth- bankers of the The lives workers’: nonconformist families the Stone Wood the Stone of contribution cultural the African and African Caribbean community in the UK Leicestershire’s story toy Exploring the East Midlands: in communities Involving research environment historic fromHenry Bowdon – Tales the life of a Derbyshire country Squire CoffeeThe Leicester The consequences of theThe consequences Observations War: Great during theRAF Balderton War Second World Refuge in the rock: The use of Nottingham’s in times of war caves ofThe mothers Mapperley Asylum fromStories A thousand years of Charnwood life Lost legends: the hiddenCapturing and Cocoa House from Nottingham from ‘Wealthy women, Company Limited Contents 21 18 24 26 28 30 04 07 10 13 16

WAR GRAVES COMMISSION WAR GRAVES PRIVATE GWGC COLLINS COMMONWEALTH COMMONWEALTH COLLINS GWGC PRIVATE @EastMidlandsHH

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www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit much look forward to hearing from you. from hearing to much look forward will be published in our January 2019 out some of my sketched edition. I’ve in my knowledge grounded ideas, own that of Nottingham and the impact ). four had on the City (page the War family, my own to Some of these relate most of them don’t. writing I enjoy could You example. for about hospitals, and indeed interests, different have well We very own. of your ideas, better Dr Nick Hayes the Marc Fitch Fund Fund Fitch the Marc financial its for support towards the publication of this issue. Editor East Midlands History and Heritage Katie Bridger, Helen Drew, Hannah Nicholson Assistant editors we'd like to thank to like we'd If we can help in any way contact us on contact help in any way can If we [email protected]

History and Heritage. The month History and Heritage. 1918 is embedded of November and national local with great help to like We’d meaning. War Great mark the end of the and publishing co-ordinating by across from a series of stories looking at the the region during and consequences, War had on that the after, communities. local Welcome

WELCOME & CONTENTS CONTENTS & & WELCOME WELCOME 2 HIDDEN VOICES THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE GREAT WAR: OBSERVATIONS FROM NOTTINGHAM 5

VICTORIA EMBANKMENT WAR MEMORIAL EMBANKMENT VICTORIA Nottingham certainly had a housing crisis. “The influx of munitions and Nottingham certainly “by the end of 1918 all … houses the end that “by meant during the war other workers” the was Indeed, so acute had been let.” condition habitable in a reasonably being were as uninhabitable condemned 1921 houses previously crisis that by reconstruction national and local of a broader as part Initially, reopened. build some 3,700 houses in the City Council had planned to programme, and at government central subsidised by generously estates, suburban in a way ‘Socialist’. The nation also had many conversations about post-war about post-war had many conversations The nation also ‘Socialist’. in a way the franchise already, And, as noted tomorrows. and better reconstruction wartime for a reward as arguably in 1918, again expanded significantly was against heavily did discriminated franchise or not the pre-war Whether service. contentious. - remains Labour supporters people – and thus likely working and locally the state, such as housing and social welfare, But in areas did this impact How intercede. to prepared seem more did now nationally, held and socially? In Nottingham in 1913, the Conservatives politically locally, the Labour Party and twenty-three, the Liberals seats, thirty-seven council to continued main parties elections the two In the 1919 municipal seats. two twenty- took the Liberals seats, held thirty-three The Conservatives dominate. Of those seats Labour gains. understates This, however, one and Labour ten. ten as aldermen, Labour took than those nominated rather elected, directly and the Liberals twenty-five Conservatives the to in 1913 it had two), (whereas it contested, in seven of the nine seats successful was Labour thirteen. on emotive heavily cast. Labour had focused 55% of the votes taking and inequalities, particularly issues highlighting shortages ‘home front’ the successful “Possibly noted, press Liberal in housing. As even the local be the best thing may has made on the old regime onslaught which Labour vigour more high time somebody imparted happened… It was have that could of the City Council The attitude affairs. the criticism of Corporation into and life success, Labour’s to In response housing has been a disgrace.” towards fight a common to “banded together Parties and Liberal the Conservative did now Only rarely doctrine.” danger in the Socialists and their revolutionary on an anti- stand to instead preferring electorally, compete parties the two the seat. contested agreement one or the other by where Labour ticket 1929 they By atrophic. was the Liberals of this for impact The long-term and the Conservatives twenty-six Labour’s to compared had only eleven seats, twenty-seven. or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit It’s frequently claimed that the war heralded heralded the war claimed that It’s frequently and the rise Party, the demise of the Liberal politics.of Labour and class-based Yet pragmatism also found its place. A public its place. also found pragmatism Yet of outpouring extensive an marked and its aftermath Indeed, the War Committees, Pension War local through distributed were Initially funds Party, the demise of the Liberal heralded claimed that the war frequently It’s meeting called by Ball and the Duke of Portland of Portland Ball and the Duke by called meeting fund memorial a war launch to in 1919 decided Hospital. the General reconstruct and extend to and William Player £92,000. John It raised noted: £10,000. But the appeal gave each as large. as well required “Small donations are should be that this memorial It is most desirable necessity The first a memorial of all classes.” home, opened in 1923, a new 130 bed nurses was the Heroic memorial to and worthy as a “dignified the City.” to Dead, and a distinct ornament and countless Leicester In Nottingham, Derby, the country, across other cities and towns beds in memory hospital of endowed families that might remember killed. Readers relatives House as Ellerslie gifted of Portland the Duke ex-servicemen, disabled severely a home for but also by business leaders other prominent by supported an endeavour such as the Mansfield organisations and ex-servicemen’s groups community Association Territorial and the Nottinghamshire Committee Fair Patriotic and without significant in short supply, always money was (EMHH Issue 2). Yet collapsed. have would the venture the Ministry support from of Pensions, state that of pre-war below significantly was pay Soldiers’ activity. philanthropic was increased. to wives paid allowance the separation even after earnings, some £6m. 1916 raised 1914, had by in set-up Fund, A National Relief and a half times that amount: three raised Cross the Red the war Across mentioned thealready like appeals to down filter to later money that was House (£2,000). The British Legion, (£15,000) and Ellerslie Home Nurses in 1922. founded charities, was war-time of existing an amalgamation amongst ex-servicemen, with unemployment pre-occupied particularly It was a entitled to were 1.2m ex-servicemen especially the disabled. Around 25% of those who had served). disability pension (around Entitlement was example, limbs, for or more The loss of two of disability. on the degree based below of a leg amputation a 100% pension, whereas entitled a man to a pension thousand men drew assessed at 50%. Sixty-five the knee was some to also awarded were and shell-shock. Pensions neurasthenia for widows. 240,000 war employers, widows, (war groups interest from representatives comprising councillors). local Society, unionists, the Charity Organisation trade with some 5,000 cases, dealt Committee Nottingham’s example, In 1917, for medical for and arranged pensions and grants 17,000 over and awarded complaints a local as it operated and employment. Later, training treatment, had the end of 1924, the Committee of pensions. By those in receipt for bureau dispensing payments interviewed 16,600 men and 2,800 women, over appear, to continued reports press of £66,700. Complaints and negative It was and the levels of awards. about the speed of processing however, the to in Nottingham owing artificial eyes provide also “impossible to shortness of supplies.” might explain factors politics. Various and the rise of Labour and class-based interventionist: much more that is, became government this. During the war,

BY DR NICK HAYES NURSES' MEMORIAL HOME (OPPOSITE THE CASTLE) MEMORIAL HOME (OPPOSITE THE CASTLE) NURSES'

Nothing appealed more Nothing appealed more people the the hearts of to who had lost their boys than a memorial” “ from Nottingham from Great War: Observations War: Great The consequences of the of consequences The Jay Winter argues that the types of memorialisation selected that the types of memorialisation selected argues Jay Winter As a nation, we remember the war now primarily in terms of death: some 723,000 British servicemen lost their lives. Most were in their late teens or early or early teens in their late Most were lost their lives. some 723,000 British servicemen of death: primarily in terms now the war remember As a nation, we We are about the mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, and the January Midlands 2019 bumper issue of East World War, of the end of the First the mark the centenary about We are

www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit “Nothing appealed more “Nothing appealed more view. a very took different however, than a of the people who had lost their boys the hearts to Sir Albert Ball Mayor, Nottingham’s memorial”, proclaimed son had been killed in 1917). He described any ace (whose fighter was that practice the “irreverent other cities. Another declaimed against to be spent compared little had been planned to how , bemoaning objections as “absurd” to the land when Sir Jesse Boot gifted saved was Face in the sleep death in France.” wrapped of those who were “the views to of giving prominence up” cropping £35,000. in 1927. It cost unveiled were The memorial and gardens and memorial site. as an open space Embankment the Victoria to adjacent Corporation by local communities reflected their search for a visual language a visual language for their search reflected communities local by had laid down which the soldiers for the values that best reflected and Celtic crosses ubiquitous. became forms Certain their lives. standard to according many purchased obelisks, some bespoke, not all memorials of loss. Yet the universality marked patterns, decided it was of Bramcote, village this. In my own like were hall which is still used today. build a community to instead also be highly and selection could The politics of remembrance a £20,000 erect to Nottingham Corporation Plans by contentious. amid acrimonious abandoned were memorial in the city centre and those civic leaders local claim between claim and counter organisations Veteran’s ex-servicemen. for directly speaking build houses or endow be used to the money to for called that it and their dependents, arguing ex-servicemen for hospitals the permanent just that any memorial should also be for “only was the monuments ten out of “In nine cases benefit of the community.” Civic leaders, another. , remarked a disgrace” in this city are was profound; it was to haunt the inter-war years. In fact, we have very particular memories of the Great very memories of the Great have we In fact, particular years. haunt the inter-war to it was profound; was of a “lost generation” impact The mid-twenties. to of white row after of row images by and, perhaps most poignantly, Black Adder, like comedies film, satirical black and white flickering grainy, poets, by fed War, so much from came good that something be told needed to perhaps we change: social and political brought told, are we war, the positively, More headstones. the Representation through of the franchise generally the expansion by marked women, equality for with a greater associated is most noticeably Change death? for opportunities employment greater had also provided The war the vote). got 21 now 30 and men over Act, over most women 1918 (where of the People address to new social responsibilities accepted , as the state Heroes” “Homes for like slogans too, We remember, temporary? this purely but was women, happened during it. is what actually worse The big question always and which had got the war, before existed a national housing crisis that had already before? things were how or less, to more return, to or did they want major change subsequently? Did people want History and Heritage will be dedicated to this. We are particularly interested in the subsequent consequences it had on local life in life it had on local in the subsequent consequences interested particularly this. We are to will be dedicated History and Heritage issue a help in making this your like And we’d itself. the war about than stories rather our region, and cities across towns the villages, raise the war Did themes or ideas. think about particular to might like us. You to and pictures stories sending your by success particular political the social and What was kept? these promises – and were Heroes” Fit For – of a “Land tomorrow about a better expectations did How commemorate? remember and and what did people How effects? as negative as well positive Did it have of the war? impact of articles as possible. a range as broad get to like publish everything, to but we’d promise with loss or with disability? We can’t they cope THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE GREAT WAR: OBSERVATIONS FROM NOTTINGHAM FROM OBSERVATIONS WAR: GREAT THE OF CONSEQUENCES THE 4 ‘WEALTHYHIDDEN WOMEN,VOICES BANKERS AND CLOTH-WORKERS’: THE LIVES OF THE NONCONFORMIST FAMILIES OF BREWHOUSE YARD, NOTTINGHAM, 1650-1750. 7 BY BETHANY MARSH BY

or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit

Wealthy women, bankers bankers women, Wealthy cloth-workers’: and The lives of the nonconformist families of families of the nonconformist The lives 1650-1750. Nottingham, Yard, Brewhouse as it was often called, formed part of the Nottingham formed called, often as it was or “rock-yard” Yard, period Brewhouse During the medieval ‘ Castle estate. By the beginning of the seventeenth century the castle had fallen into disrepair, having ceased to to having ceased disrepair, into had fallen the castle century seventeenth of the the beginning By Castle estate. James I sold it, the majority of its estate, and of Henry this reason, during the reign VIII. For residence be a royal issued in 1621. grant a royal by the castle from separated was however, Yard, the Earl of Rutland. Brewhouse to that is, a defined area site; considered an extra-parochial made Brewhouse The grant to be outside any ecclesiastical or civil parish. BREWHOUSE YARD 1872, COURTESY ANDY NICHOLSON ANDY 1872, COURTESY YARD BREWHOUSE ,

to returning ex-servicemen. ex-servicemen. returning to two were My grandparents And this of these tenants. beginning. only the was start, its hesitant Despite years during the inter-war invested the Corporation housing. in council heavily particularly This was it remained unusual because controlled. Conservative 1939, under the By chairmanship of William Crane, had the Housing Committee 17,095 houses. constructed confided: As one senior Tory I a time when was “there as a Alderman Crane regarded At this stage the Minster for Reconstruction, Reconstruction, for the Minster this stage At

because this was not the time that the Council could could not the time that the Council this was because Committee The Housing sums required.” the provide and grant its “passion for criticised for was subsidy” “garden city on “garden focus and its inappropriate construction the that retorted Advocates provision.” proposal the “most retrograde was of tenements the Council… to been submitted that had ever needed.” the houses they heroes denying brave Addison intervened. He rejected Dr Christopher the insisted and, instead, of tenements, the idea as originally planned. As a result, Council proceed cuts central before completed 1,500 houses were the across programmes in 1921 slashed housing almost exclusively let These houses were country.

Decline was noticeable in other areas too. In the years before the First the First before In the years too. in other areas noticeable Decline was to as some ideas offers I hope this brief survey place of one particular Dr Nick Hayes (Editor East Midlands History and Heritage) Trent University Nottingham “the committee were doing sound, doing were he thought “the committee but now and visionary,” fanatic and useful service.” valuable nationally and , famous the “City of Lace” Nottingham truly was World War, in the city and its some 26,500 men and women employing internationally, its At in Britain). makers of lace sixty per cent (or about area surrounding machines some 2,500 Leavers 220 firms operating roughly were peak, there export so sharp a decline, as industries suffered few Yet the county. across expanded elsewhere lost,were war manufacture the during and after markets changed. using machines built in Nottingham) and fashions (frequently district Market Lace of Nottingham’s industrialist reminisced One local discharging were the warehouses the mid-day break “at the war that before the “semi- to in their solid thousands” compared of employees their crowds less than half to fell Employment today.” which prevails appearance deserted be permanent. machine to Coal, level and the decline proved its pre-1914 also suffered. generally industries and related textiles hosiery, manufacture, temporarily post-war in Nottingham overall employed of women The numbers particularly was levels. The fall pre-war from percent a little under ten by fell houses in which some of these had The great in domestic service. noticeable major financial faced Many estates also suffered. been employed previously example, in 1919 (for duty rates rise in death steep of the because problems of because made heavier £200,000), a blow over 40% on estates 9% to from during the war. the loss of heirs and every exhaustive, town, no means by It’s of research. possible areas you, from hear to like really We’d tell. story its own or city will have to village that the Great about the impact and write research to you encourage and to can. we help in any way to be happy We’d area. had on your War

been a disgrace. IMAGE LEFT: SOLDIER GENERAL HOSPITAL 1917, COURTESY NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL CITY NOTTINGHAM 1917, COURTESY HOSPITAL LEFT: SOLDIER GENERAL IMAGE IMAGE RIGHT: PRINCE OF WALES' VISITS ELLERSLIE HOUSE 1923, COURTESY NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL CITY NOTTINGHAM 1923, COURTESY HOUSE ELLERSLIE RIGHT: PRINCE OF WALES' VISITS IMAGE MY GRANDPARENTS' HOUSE IN SHERWOOD HOUSE MY GRANDPARENTS'

www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit limited cost to the Corporation. These were intended partly to cover shortages shortages cover to partly intended These were the Corporation. to cost limited survey that some 7,000 houses in the a wartime had found but also because this was Committing to insanitary. deemed seriously deficient and/or city were of way cities, had little by other major provincial like Nottingham, a bold step. of many members for housing. In fact, subsidised in providing record a track a five-and-a-half- after the last minute, At revolutionary. too the Council it was and abolish this proposal 19 to to 30 votes by the Council voted hour debate, “The [original] schemes dwellings. 600 tenement 500 to instead substitute and of their enormous cost “because argued, , it was objectionable” were

Labour has made on the old regime may be on the old regime Labour has made Possibly the successful onslaught which the successful onslaught Possibly housing has affairs. The attitude of the City Council towards Council towards of the City The attitude affairs. vigour and life into the criticism of Corporation the criticism of Corporation into vigour and life the best thing that could have happened… could have the best thing that more time somebody imparted high It was THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE GREAT WAR: OBSERVATIONS FROM NOTTINGHAM FROM OBSERVATIONS WAR: GREAT THE OF CONSEQUENCES THE 6 HIDDEN VOICES ‘WEALTHY WOMEN, BANKERS AND CLOTH-WORKERS’: THE LIVES OF THE NONCONFORMIST FAMILIES OF BREWHOUSE YARD, NOTTINGHAM, 1650-1750. 9

Brewhouse Yard was a safe haven, during during haven, a safe was Yard Brewhouse to the established beliefs and practices of the time. and practices beliefs the established to and Independents, Quakers differences, their Despite able to were amongst other Nonconformists, side-by-side in this small and worship work live, not was But Brewhouse parish. extra-parochial a place also it was of protection, simply a place themselves establish able to were families where prominent to connections and make economically As a result, society. of Nottinghamshire members residents Brewhouse of many the descendants of members prominent became themselves elite. political social and Nottingham’s left a Thomas Smith and his descendants the on Nottingham through lasting impact of the Smith Bank and the building continuation houses, including Broxtowe grand of numerous descendants Hall. Anne Mitton’s Hall and Bramcote government, be positioned in municipal to continued Collin eventually Langford with her great-grandson for of the Peace as Justice being appointed of Elizabeth the descendants Nottingham. Finally, the Wright establish on to and Ichabod Wright went perhaps the highest echelons of Bank and reached of their great-grandson with the marriage society the Earl of Coventry. of the daughter Samuel to century of the seventeenth In the turbulence achievements social and political such economic, the persecuted to been inconceivable have would . of the “rock-yard” inhabitants (eds.), M. Festenstein and Further reading: G. Burgess, 2007). 1550-1850 (Cambridge, English Radicalism, Bethany Marsh University of Nottingham Thomas Wright. The Wrights and the Wildbores went Thomas Wright. went Wildbores The Wrights and the in Tobias’s resulting close friends, become on to son Ichabod marrying Thomas’s Elizabeth niece wrote grandson and Ichabod’s in 1722. Elizabeth diary:of them in his one of the few was “Theirs which succeeded Friends by made in infancy Matches an early conceived the wishes of all Parties…they to . up with them” each other which grew for attachment such as this which helped elevate connections It was their descendants further, family the Wildbore and scholars. politicians, bankers becoming and many families for century, the seventeenth contrary devotion ran individuals whose religious

or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit In addition to Quakers, a number of Quakers, In addition to in the building involved also became Tobias influence across the Midlands. Ultimately, Thomas’s Thomas’s Ultimately, Midlands. the across influence Brewhouse, leaving after and business prospered life a have to seemed there time he lived but the short that at Brewhouse It was on his life. impact definite teachings Nonconformist to exposed Thomas was behaviour. his religious influence later which would the Deanery to taken 1686 Thomas was In 1685 and Holy Communion at Easter receive to failing Court for acts blatant services, Sunday church and attend and Samuel £3. In total the building cost £322 10s £322 the building cost In total and Samuel £3. 1689. on 8 October completed 10d and was Thomas Wright, by the son overseen was The work an elder in the Wright who was of Captain and imprisoned and had been arrested church was the building After preaching. unlicensed for as one appointed was in 1689 Tobias registered managing church for responsible of six trustees: property. the church and looking after finances the family’s enhanced position as trustee Tobias’s connections make him to and allowed respectability such as gentlemen, Nottinghamshire with notable of religious subversion. subversion. of religious at also lived Independents/Congregationalists century. seventeenth during the Yard Brewhouse crucial were instance, for family, The Wildbore build the and helped to of this group members Congregational house of Castlegate meeting first United the St. now with Castlegate Church, Andrews a respectable were The Wildbores Church. Reformed Samuel and status. wealth of reasonable family and worked a fuller was of the family, head Wildbore, His firstborn Anne Mitton. from out of a shop rented the cloth industry but was also entered son, Tobias, the position. By beyond his father’s advance able to the level of cloth-dresser had reached 1680s Tobias a dyer. in 1724 was the time of his death and by in investment Samuel’s aided by was This elevation Tobias Alongside cloth-working education. his son’s which required a surveyor:was profession a skilled trigonometry, of geometry, knowledge extensive in Knowledge physics, engineering and metrology. school education, grammar a these subjects required afford. could wealth with some which only families the Castlegate house for meeting of the first Congregational Castlegate Church. Congregational of a small group by in the 1650s founded was people’s in various secretly who met followers passed in was Toleration the Act of houses. After the building of for taken 1689, subscriptions were its for £2 donated house. Tobias a new meeting £1 10s John donated his brother construction,

During the 1660s Theaker resided in North resided 1660s Theaker During the for continually harassed was Collingham, but amounting multiple fines his beliefs, receiving attending for today) £3,000 £38 (or roughly to meetings. illegal Quaker

In regards to the women’s religious leanings, leanings, religious the women’s to In regards another resident had crucial links to life Fortune’s guardians at this time. Thomas certainly lived lived at this time. Thomas certainly guardians at some point during the 1640s as at Brewhouse and tenant a previous described him as Fortune they were in her will. This does not mean “kinsman” a close bond but indicates blood-related necessarily sense if Fortune make which would the two, between In 1653 Thomas mother. his ‘adopted’ became as off the site moved and likely twenty-one turned by his to him inherit £200 left able to now he was Thomas’s establish used to This money was father. buying and selling luxury cloth. business as a mercer, and in 1658 Thomas a success The business was Square, in Market a property purchase able to was up the Smith Family NatWest bank, and set now outside of London. bank Bank, provincial the first When Thomas died in 1699 his son, Thomas junior, its expanding the running of the bank, over took 1684 had amassed sizeable wealth similar to Anne. Anne. similar to wealth sizeable 1684 had amassed in her Brewhouse, houses at two Besides owning monetary 8s 0d in single of £546 will she disposed about was income family average portions (when £40 p.a.). beliefs. personal Anne’s for is no evidence there a Quaker, probably on the other hand, was Fortune, leaders Quaker with various associated she was for developed Quakerism her social network. through during the mid- Fox the ministryfrom of George fully Christ was that was teaching 1640s. The central and that in all believers, present and immediately the ‘Inner Light’ spiritual a surer was guide than priests In 1658 or scripture. to witness she was the will of Elizabeth Oddingsell, alongside John Reckless. one was The latter converts of the first Quakerism, to in Fox having met Nottingham in 1649. a became Reckless leader Quaker local in the market message Fox’s preach to and began to connected leader Quaker local Another square. During the 1660s Theaker John Theaker. was Fortune continually Collingham, but was in North resided multiple fines receiving his beliefs, for harassed for today) £3,000 (or roughly £38 amounting to This harassment meetings. Quaker illegal attending he where Yard, Brewhouse to his move inspired likely and social persecution, legal from be protected could neighbours. thus became and Theaker and Fortune with the connected also intimately was Theaker of his daughter the marriage through family Reckless son Jonathan. It is possible then John Reckless’ to the attended and Reckless Theaker that Fortune, house on Spaniel at Reckless’ meetings same Quaker Brewhouse. from a short walk Row, named Thomas Smith, who is a key of Brewhouse born in Thomas was in the history of banking. figure Butler and Elizabeth John Smith of Cropwell 1632 to died in 1633 and John died in 1641, Elizabeth Garton. Thomas an orphan. It has been speculated leaving Thomas’s became Burrowes and Robert that Fortune

By the 1670s the two most substantial landowners of Brewhouse were the were of Brewhouse landowners most substantial the 1670s the two By It was within this context of political uncertainty, social upheaval and religious religious and social upheaval uncertainty, of political within this context It was compulsory in church services. services. in church compulsory Prayer of the Book of Common made the use and anyone churches their from ejected were did not conform who Ministers arrest, imprisonment,to liable was of worship forms alternative practising caught commonly more became ‘dissenters’ Protestant fines. Thereafter, and severe 1688-89 of Revolution not until the Glorious It was as ‘Nonconformists’. known Act sanctioned. A further was groups all Protestant for of worship that freedom widows Fortune Burrowes and Anne Mitton. Both women had inherited the had inherited Both women and Anne Mitton. Burrowes Fortune widows in their subsequently prospered and their husbands from land at Brewhouse the building of new tenements, through her fortunes Anne extended widowhood. She also shops and seven houses on the site. 1675 she possessed two so by of her daughter securing the marriage by social standing her family’s improved of Nottingham. Collin, a gentleman Mary Thomas Collin, the son of Lawrence to laying the foundation with trade, wealth propertied combined The marriage political through further of their family the reputation elevate to the couple for an alderman in the Nottingham Corporation position. In 1688 Thomas became was government municipal into of Nottingham. Entering Mayor 1699 was and by their local extend to who wanted families amongst wealthy practice a common in the time of her death but by had no children, conversely, Fortune, influence. lives of a number of these individuals and families, including the wealthy widow widow including the wealthy of a number of these individuals and families, lives Wildbore. Tobias Thomas Smith and the dyer the banker Burrowes, Fortune change that the Nonconformist families of Brewhouse Yard lived. Amongst the lived. Yard of Brewhouse families that the Nonconformist change individuals, a number and prominent many wealthy were of the site residents and political economic the wider religious, impact on to go of whom would the this article will consider of The rest of the city of Nottingham. landscape of Toleration received royal assent on 24 May 1689, giving Nonconformists the 1689, giving Nonconformists assent on 24 May royal received of Toleration houses. meeting own their and have freely worship right to

BREWHOUSE YARD THOROTON'S MAP OF NOTTINGHAM, 1677, COURTESY NOTTINGHAM LOCAL STUDIES LIBRARY STUDIES LOCAL NOTTINGHAM 1677, COURTESY MAP OF NOTTINGHAM, THOROTON'S YARD BREWHOUSE As a result, numerous new radical religious groups groups religious new radical numerous As a result, Particular the Ranters, emerge, including began to and Quakers. Baptists, Seekers

uch spaces were anomalies as they had no anomalies were uch spaces therefore, and were, or clergymen church or tithes. poor rates paying from exempt

The disruption S

or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit The majority favoured The majority favoured of the the retention National Church, although it had been in weakened greatly the abolition of 1646 by a hierarchy by of the church (government episcopacy of bishops). As a result, dissenting congregations Compulsory church of tolerance. a degree enjoyed the by had been repealed instance, for attendance, 1650, but Act in September of a Toleration passing had yet of all dissenting groups toleration complete of the monarchy the restoration be achieved. At to of in the Declaration in 1660, Charles II had promised : that is religious consciences” tender “liberty to Breda not disturb everyone they “do to provided toleration however, This promise, of the kingdom.” the peace pressurized MPs as conservative never fulfilled was of dissenters. the activities restrict the king to 1661 and 1665 a series of laws – labelled the Between example, which, for passed, – were Code’ ‘Clarendon parliament, though of religious mindful anxious to were reform, liberty. religious restrict Quakers. After the After Quakers. King of execution in Charles I in 1649, MPs and Irish Civil Wars and Irish Civil Wars (1641-1653) precipitated breakdown the general the over of control in National Church England. As a result, new radical numerous began groups religious including emerge, to Particular the Ranters, and Baptists, Seekers the laws.” the laws.” the British by caused 1677, Brewhouse was was 1677, Brewhouse for receptacle great “a other like and fanatics, not people, who would to conformable live As Robert Thoroton, Thoroton, As Robert a Nottinghamshire and magistrate in noted historian, In the case of Brewhouse, in 1621 only the families in 1621 only the families Brewhouse, of In the case on the lived and William Jackson John Mitton of people had the 1670s many more by Yet site. the building by as evidenced Brewhouse, to moved houses and five or thirteen twelve of a long row of visible on the 1677 map of buildings, detached of the result largely was Nottingham. This growth which protected status extra-parochial the site’s the who rejected those Nonconformists, Protestant Church the established of and teachings practices and social persecution. legal from England, of thus Brewhouse for a haven became Nonconformists. ‘WEALTHY WOMEN, BANKERS AND CLOTH-WORKERS’: THE LIVES OF THE NONCONFORMIST FAMILIES OF BREWHOUSE YARD, NOTTINGHAM, 1650-1750. NOTTINGHAM, YARD, BREWHOUSE OF FAMILIES NONCONFORMIST THE OF LIVES THE CLOTH-WORKERS’: AND BANKERS WOMEN, ‘WEALTHY 8 HIDDEN VOICES RAF BALDERTON DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR 11

HANDLEY PAGE HAMPDE, PUBLIC DOMAIN WIKIMEDIA COMMONS HAMPDE, PUBLIC HANDLEY PAGE

BY PETE STEVENS or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit The airfield now closed for operations and major construction work began. This consisted of the laying of the laying This consisted began. work and major construction operations closed for The airfield now F9/40 Meteor Gloster Unit, with a prototype Trials Jet Whittle and his Frank were unusual visitors More December 1941 saw the arrival of the first operational squadron. This was 408 (Goose) Squadron Royal Royal 408 (Goose) Squadron This was squadron. operational of the first arrival 1941 saw the December This was by far the worst tragedy tragedy the worst by far This was the village during the affect to of the airfield. life operational Canadian Air Force, with their Handley Page Hampdens. It flew a total of 88 operational sorties during of 88 operational Hampdens. It flew a total with their Handley Page Canadian Air Force, but, by the Year the New into continued Operations and 15 aircrew. with the loss of 4 aircraft December, and aircraft and all operational snow heavy unusable due to the airfield had become middle of January, remained 408 Squadron improved. weather until the North Luffenham RAF to sent temporarily were crews the to and conversion Leeming RAF for 1942, when it departed until the 15th September Balderton at RAF 38 aircraft sorties with the loss of it flew 988 operational During its time at Balderton Halifax. Hadley Page be. could bombing operations dangerous of how reminder – a graphic and 134 aircrew and tower and control hangers of five the construction dispersals, and larger runways concrete of three house the to constructed Other outlying buildings were site. buildings on the technical other temporary within eight months and completed was All of this work and equipment storage. in personnel increase train Unit to Conversion of 1668 Heavy saw the arrival in July 1943. August opened again the airfield was from convert to arrived Cheshire, Leonard One pilot of note, Bombers. Halifax and pilots on the Lancaster RAF on to had moved 1668 HCU November him less than a week. By It took the Lancaster. to the Halifax saw a lull in activities, but in January Finishing School. Its departure No5 Lancaster become and Syerston Carrier of 437th Troop Field, with the arrival 482, or Balderton Station USAAF 1944 the airfield had become Carrier Group. Troop the 439th and shortly after Gliders, and Waco C47’s and the Douglas ‘Dakota’ Group local from had many reports We have engines in the rear. both with jet Wellingtons Vickers and two feathered with the props the area flying over seeing the Wellington saying that they remember villagers himself at The Old Hall Whittle based still fly. that it could amazed and were and sounding very strange, out in the grounds. carried were and it is thought that engine tests Balderton on Main Street

As he lowered his undercarriage the wheels hit the top of the trees, sending the sending of the trees, the wheels hit the top his undercarriage As he lowered the opposite side of the road. houses on into three crashing aircraft RAF Balderton formed part of a chain of bases of a chain of bases part formed Balderton RAF the next over frequent more Flying became that littered the East of England, facing occupied occupied the East of England, facing that littered the airfield had only years early In the Europe. and track perimeter with a tarmac runways, grass of the June 1941 saw the arrival dispersals. grass a satellite became and the base personnel RAF first Unit from Training Operational 25 airfield for Hampdens, Handley Page operating Finningley, RAF Anson. the Avro and Wellington, the Vickers Upper RAF from 16 OTU Also using the airfield was occurred accident the first later Only weeks Heyford. and the runway when Hampden P1210 overshot operator. killing the pilot and radio crashed, up its aircrew stepped of months as the RAF couple On the night of the 16 August programme. training for night flying off 1941 Hampden X2959 took the circuits, several completing and, after training way off was to land, but he the aircraft pilot turned North Road side of the Great On the east course. very much that looked of trees a small copse was land on the airfield, to fly over those he had to like his As he lowered taller. were but these trees of the trees, the wheels hit the top undercarriage houses on three into crashing sending the aircraft flames, into It burst side of the road. the opposite operator, killing not only the pilot and wireless Brumpton, of Mr and Mrs but also six of the children of The occupants Road. at 84 London who lived with their escape lucky to houses were other two affect to tragedy the worst far by This was lives. of the airfield. life during the operational the village during the months of September crashes more Four aircrew. more saw the loss of four and October

the Second World War Secondthe World RAF Balderton during Balderton RAF Before the war, three farms occupied land two miles south of Newark on Trent, just west just west on Trent, of Newark miles south land two occupied farms three the war, Before BALDERTON AIRFIELD BALDERTON THE NORTH, LOOKING AND TOWER CONTROL TECHNICAL SITE ARE 1947 ON THE RIGHT,

www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit for the RAF. Construction started in late 1940 and was completed by June 1941. by completed 1940 and was in late Construction started RAF. the for of the Great North road and just outside the village of Balderton. By mid-1940 all these By of Balderton. and just outside the village North road of the Great and machinery, sell all their livestock to just six weeks given the families had gone, farms an airfield into be turned about to was years many for The land they had farmed and leave. RAF BALDERTON DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR WORLD SECOND THE DURING BALDERTON RAF 10 HIDDEN VOICES REFUGE IN THE ROCK: THE USE OF NOTTINGHAM’S CAVES IN TIMES OF WAR 13

By the spring of 1937, the spring of By was Government the British with Germany war anticipating councils and encouraged seriously to the country across of civil the matter consider action. and take defence, one of the Nottingham was outside of London cities first this, and indeed the first do to a establish to in the country (ARP) Precautions Air Raid local 1937 the In March network. Committee ARP and the Watch busy identifying sites were in as shelters use for suitable the event of air raids.

BY SCOTT LOMAX SCOTT BY or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit The use of Nottingham’sThe use of of war caves in times GUILDHALL CAVES Refuge inRefuge the rock: On the 1st October 1944 the USAAF handed 1944 the USAAF On the 1st October finished, the airfield With flying operations nothing left of this is virtually in 2017 there Now Pete Stevens Pete RAF Balderton Research Group The co-pilot, Captain Fred Lorimor was killed by killed by was Lorimor Fred Captain The co-pilot, taken were of the crew and the rest small arms fire, safely. returned All the other aircraft prisoner. Bomber Command. The first to the airfield back and tidying spent cleaning, was of weeks couple with Bomber in accordance the station arranging in preparation requirements Command operational Office The Watch of 227 Squadron. the arrival for and room and a new operation refitting, required along provided, were building office intelligence communications. all the station with re-organising on the 22nd of October arrived 227 Squadron Lancaster’s with 18 shortly after, and operations The Squadron Norway. Bergen, attack to detailed the 5th April 1945. Thereafter, until remained landings. emergency for available only airfield was flew 227 Squadron at Balderton While stationed loss of 62 aircrew. sorties, with the 720 operational crew, 213 air and ground life, its operational Across and 6 civilians, lost their lives. Unit, and 254 Maintenance to handed over was of some storage used for 1954, it was until August June 1954 the airfield 40,000lbs of munitions. By and all munitions had to closure for marked was some 10 miles from lorry by a railhead be moved to on the Cairn Ryan to rail the airfield, and then by loaded they were where of Scotland, coast west The airfield ships and dumped in the Irish Sea. onto sold in 1957. and was 3 years empty for stood returned was per cent airfield. Twenty forgotten British being mined by the remainder farming, to land will have 2020 most of the farm Gypsum. By Balderton been built on. On the 8th April 2018 RAF at Newark holding a reunion are Group Research and families personnel the service Air Museum for of those who served 1941 at the airfield from 1954. to

gliders and practising snatching the gilders off the the gilders snatching and practising gliders 1944, 80 Sunday the 17th September On ground. paratroopers for Holland, 30 with left bound C47’s gliders. of the 82nd Airborne and 50 towing releasing and, after area the target All reached the paratroopers, and dropping their gliders being after day, The following safely. all returned squadron carrier the 94th Troop fog, by delayed airborne at noon, with 80 C47s – all finally got Holland, this time with for – heading gliders towing One, flown the 307th Airborne engineer battalion. fire anti-aircraft Major Joseph Beck, hit by by was area. land just short of the target to forced and was

As training for the operation gathered pace, the pace, gathered the operation for As training The Jet Trials Unit stayed at Balderton until the at Balderton Unit stayed Trials The Jet

WACO GLIDER USAF, PUBLIC DOMAIN WIKIMEDIA COMMONS GLIDER USAF, WACO

www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit storage of some 40,000lbs of munitions. munitions. 40,000lbs of of some storage and until August 1954, it was used for for it was used August 1954, and until was handed over to 254 Maintenance Unit, Unit, 254 Maintenance over to was handed With flying operations finished, the airfield the airfield finished, flying operations With skies over Balderton were full of C47’s, towing Waco Waco towing of C47’s, full were Balderton skies over 28th April. Meanwhile the Americans spent their the Americans 28th April. Meanwhile of the invasion for of months training couple first of May the main force the beginning and by Europe D Day, for prepare Ramsbury to south to had moved staff. and maintenance behind only ground leaving thought that of August, it was the beginning By but the RAF to be handed back the airfield would saw all Garden Market Operation for preparations return. of the 438th TCG RAF BALDERTON DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR WORLD SECOND THE DURING BALDERTON RAF 12 HIDDEN VOICES REFUGE IN THE ROCK: THE USE OF NOTTINGHAM’S CAVES IN TIMES OF WAR 15

NOTTINGHAM ARP OFFICE 1940. PUBLIC DOMAIN WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

In November 1949 the United Nations Atomic Nations Atomic 1949 the United In November of the consequences That same month, fearing never put into scheme was Campion’s Again, 1950, and reported in the Nottingham press, that if an in the Nottingham press, 1950, and reported British city on a typical dropped was bomb atomic be killed. 50,000 people would approximately all possible explore to urged Commission was Energy of control on the international agreement for avenues purposes. peaceful it for restrict and to energy atomic Campion George weapons, atomic involving a war a to create officials the city’s to his pleas renewed the below 40 feet and chambers of tunnels town increased house the city’s This scheme to surface. believed, he have population of 400,000 would, be raised £10,000,000 but this sum could costed in instalments. £25 if every in the city paid person offset that the sale of sand could he argued Again, community underground ‘Huge’ some of the costs. among were lavatories and bathrooms cafes, centres, help accommodate to facilities for his suggestions that suggested He further weeks. several people for provide needed to no longer were the tunnels once system railway a tube be used for they could safety congestion. traffic reduce to one that the was threat but the nuclear place, concrete The reinforced seriously. authorities took Drive, at Chalfont Room, a War building, forming the city centre, miles from two approximately 1950s and substantially built in the early was of Seat a Regional form 1963 to around enlarged one of the city centre’s Government. Meanwhile, the former beneath systems, cave most substantial Fire and Central Station Police Guildhall, Central be used during to modified in order was Station, the levels into two Extending attack. atomic telephone with lighting and emergency ground, and space working provided system lines, this cave workers of emergency hundreds for accommodation doubt at this no authorities. It was and the city’s used in these was concrete time that reinforced also were the Castle Rock cut into The caves caves. shelters. use as Cold War for considered Scott Lomax City Council City Archaeologist, Nottingham Acting

or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit Campion’s vision, of course, never came to to never came vision, of course, Campion’s over 11 raids were there As it transpired, The story of Nottingham’s caves being used caves The story of Nottingham’s Adaptations to increase Adaptations to increase ventilation and strengthen the roofs enabled a staggering 8,896 people to be accommodated here during bombing raids. The sale of the sand extracted during the tunnelling during the tunnelling The sale of the sand extracted costs. help reduce he argued, would, were fruition and the authorities believed there for the population. available sufficient shelters underground Nottingham had greater Certainly, of the country. than most other parts provision the World War, Nottingham during the Second nights of 8 and during the place of which took worst as the known 9 May 1941, and which has become than 100 During this ‘Blitz’ more ‘Nottingham Blitz’. in the areas large bombs across planes dropped being lost and 274 in 159 lives resulting city centre, the Hotel, that the Stadium injuries. It is a sad irony in zeppelins from shelter used to of which was cave the In total that raid. during destroyed 1916, was 11 raids killed 178 people and injured a further 350. a further killed 178 people and injured 11 raids which caves not been so many historic Had there this figure shelters, into be quickly adapted could the below far it was so, Even been higher. might have broke war before anticipated dead number of likely on some one million worked out. planners Here alone. weeks two in the first killed and wounded the across fewer: far were the numbers Fortunately, (half of which killed as a whole some 60,500 were war 86,000 seriously injured. and a further in London), were does not end with the celebration civil defence for in 1945. and Japan Germany of victory against at Hiroshima weapons the use of atomic Following the of 1945, and the onset in August and Nagasaki weapons use of atomic of the Soviet fears Cold War, of civilians being in the issue of protection resulted widely believed by It was again. once considered

The largest underground shelter in the city was in the city was shelter underground The largest In addition to adapting historic caves, a small caves, adapting historic In addition to believed Campion the use of pre-existing George beneath the former John Player Tobacco Factory Factory Tobacco John Player the former beneath and a A number of small systems, in Radford. passages, of interconnecting system substantial A significant proportion proportion A significant fifteen (approximately of the underground percent) use made shelters air raid historic of Nottingham’s caves. manmade for use 1885 November hewn soon after were Adaptations Brewery. the Forest for as cellaring the and strengthen ventilation increase to be 8,896 people to enabled a staggering roofs bombing raids. during here accommodated including one created, were number of new caves 18th of likely Nottingham Castle. Caves beneath House of Rock the cellars which formed date, century exist to known in 1928), were demolished (which was In 1938 a up Castle Road. half-way approximately from hewn, extending was passages series of linear boring using mechanical cellars, House the Rock the area beneath extend passages These devices. Consideration bandstand. the castle’s by occupied beneath all the caves connecting to given was this expanding Nottingham Castle, and further expensive. be too to considered but it was network, as being £10 official’, a ‘city by cited, was The cost Other air raid in length of tunnel. yard each for of the east immediately created were caves shelter of the Victoria the site (now Station Railway Victoria Shopping Centre). hewn in 1938, and the small number of caves caves, In May 1938 required. short of what was far fell utilise the sandstone authorities to the he urged in a highly ambitious scheme of cave bedrock civilian the entire protect to in order creation five his vision of creating population. He unveiled tunnels extensive of three formed each systems cave would The systems passages. with interconnecting which of rising topography, areas beneath be located as the “hills” of the city: the area to Campion referred to Road Cliff the Forest; towards of the Arboretum Hollows; Sneinton to Hermitage Hockley; Sneinton the Road; Alfreton to the northern side of the Park would The passages Mount Street. to Castle Rock 40 miles in length. He believed approximately total be supplied and that could that enough ventilation provide would of the systems in each well a central would be installed. Electric lighting water. sufficient and “every bathrooms wards, casualty Underground labour Voluntary be available. would convenience” enabled the scheme Campion believed, have would, of £1,000,000 or £4 per head. at a cost be delivered to

”

In addition to those publicly sanctioned caves those publicly sanctioned caves In addition to Most caves used for this purpose had to be this purpose had to used for Most caves at the behind the cottages located The caves Excavation Section. His work excavating many caves many caves excavating Section. His work Excavation of their potential him with the knowledge provided He bombs. from protection in providing suitability hewn in the late that a cave keen particularly was as a sand mine be used. This18th and 19th century less or caves, Street as the Peel known system, cave for enough large Sand Mine, was Rouse’s commonly the (unfortunately seek safety of people to hundreds ARP card). on the not recorded was figure estimated there were others, privately owned, in and beneath in and beneath owned, privately others, were there houses and businesses. Thus, a number of other to Trip such as those at the well-known caves, see to used with some preferring Jerusalem, were than seek refuge with ale or spirits rather out the raid public shelters. overcrowded in the often shafts and ventilation exits with emergency adapted, supports and steel cut out of the rock, blast walls strengthen to put in place iron built, and corrugated the former that beneath One cave, the roof. to throughout concrete Guildhall, used reinforced system. cave the extensive strengthen further of storage originally hewn in 1860 for That cave, is on Brewery, Skinner and Rook from of ale barrels and so the ground deep into levels, extending two protection. greater provide able to was the (now Yard Brewhouse at of the Castle Rock foot in together joined were Museum of Nottingham Life) cave and exit. The largest assist with access to order the Boots at the museum, which had been used by and was the war, at some time prior to Company of Nottingham the University used in the 1970s by (giving it the experiments ray carry out cosmic to an emergency formed cave’), name ‘the Cosmic Ray was space office Here the ARP. for headquarters lines installed. telephone with desks and available, to the volunteers for also provided Bunk beds were of lengthy of a bombing raid in case some rest get three bunkbeds, often shelters In the larger duration. to numbers positioned in large beds in height, were be sheltered. maximise the number of people able to A significant proportion (approximately fifteen percent) of the underground of the underground percent) fifteen (approximately proportion A significant during the early had been suggested shelters as potential The use of caves CASTLE ROAD SHELTER ROAD CASTLE shelters below ground (if applicable) and, usually, the number of people who could of people who could the number and, usually, applicable) (if ground below shelters the beneath spaces pre-existing these the majority utilised Of be accommodated. were and offices factories warehouses, shops, beneath basements Large ground. necessary. where adapted We currently manmade caves. historic made use of Nottingham’s shelters air raid which underlies bedrock the sandstone hewn into caves than 800 of more know and along in the city centre concentrated particularly They are much of the city. Road. and Derby such as Mansfield Road the centre, into leading the major roads periods, although a and post-medieval hewn during the medieval Many were a variety used for Theywere excavations. recent relatively number are significant of malt, production tanning, tunnels, cellars, of purposes including storage and sand mining. catacombs of which their use, some for calling voices the key months of 1937. One of of the Thoroton Campion, Director George 200m in length, was up to for extend at archaeology by fascinated Section. Campion had become Excavation Society 1920s. He took the late from on a number of sites and had worked age a young the helped establish and in 1936 his interest pursue in order retirement early

he German air assaults seen during the air assaults seen during he German with that war showed Civil War Spanish on air raids to lead Germany would Eventually 745 sites in the city were scheduled in the city were 745 sites Eventually T as elsewhere, that as tensions with Germany grew, with Germany grew, that as tensions as elsewhere, needed protecting. 250,000 inhabitants the city’s of hundreds of the creation needed was What was shelters. air raid and the ARP staff shelters use as public air raid for produce to in order each visited and volunteers in now which are survey on small cards a sketch of Nottingham City Museums and the collection Galleries. and of access details provide The cards along with the depths of the exists, emergency a scale unimaginable during the Great War. War. the Great unimaginable during a scale Nottingham and thought that the Planners 15,000 dead alone might suffer regions Derby further 35,000 bombing, with a fortnight’s a after in Nottingham, quickly realised It was wounded. the city’s 250,000 inhabitants needed protecting inhabitants 250,000 the city’s “

or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit REFUGE IN THE ROCK: THE USE OF NOTTINGHAM’S CAVES IN TIMES OF WAR OF TIMES IN CAVES NOTTINGHAM’S OF USE THE ROCK: THE IN REFUGE 14 HIDDEN VOICES THE MOTHERS OF MAPPERLEY ASYLUM 17

May, admitted in 1889, also exhibited this in 1889, also exhibited admitted May, of MapperleyThe women may be separated Carly-Emma White Trent University Nottingham likely she was a woman under significant strain, strain, under significant a woman she was likely from the estrangement especially following her family. and abandon end her life to desire “unnatural” poison herself, to She threatened her children. trying chloroform claimed that people were to in danger. were her and that her children admission prior to birth six weeks She had given since of mind had deteriorated and her state weeks she had developed mastitis about two and had of a collier the wife She was post-birth. nearby. , but with no family home” a “comfortable have may well of being chloroformed Her fear was as chloroform a birth trauma, to been linked in the during labour administered frequently believed that if it was Ironically, century. nineteenth of childbirth the pain not remember could a woman with puerperal suffer to be less likely she would in 1898 due to admitted who was Sarah, insanity. with housewife another was control”, to being “hard having lost her mother while no support network, quote evocative is a particularly There pregnant. hours her “waking in which she states Sarah from heaven”. hell and her sleeping like like are a century over by of today the newby mothers of these groups between but a commonality ill-health mental Postnatal persists. females whom it inflicts and holds no distinctions as to disproportionally to understood is commonly or otherwise isolated under those who are affect example, for Organisation, The World Health stress. with suffering a sample of 25,000 women studied that a lack in 2008, and found depression postnatal high one of three was of a social support network and alongside a history of depression risk factors events. In that respect, the ‘sticking life stressful in the asylum in 1897 stay of a curative plaster’ be deemed wholly in opposition with a cannot in 2017. medication of antidepressant course “very comfortable” “very comfortable” that her home was state Her notes She had six of necessities”. short “never and she was old, one year of which was youngest the children, was this child. Elizabeth nurse to and she continued and half-attempts threats several due to admitted that this state record The notes life. own her take to with her a quarrel hold after take to of mind began support to been of some who had previously sister, of a puerperal unusual in terms was Elizabeth her. a year diagnosis in that her last birth had been over that she had six children the fact However, prior. that meant her youngest nursing still and was

care for it and tuck it into it into it and tuck for care living. its bed as if it were but also a widow She was claimed that her husband see to coming be would as her soon. Presented violent upon admission, she claimed she had three whom she to men young and laughed engaged, was The contrast excessively. clearly what was between and her her deep grief, over-zealous apparent with the engagement an provides sex, opposite of what, example evocative nineteenth-century to a woman sensibilities, was the skill requiring clearly to of the psychiatrist ‘true’ her to restore behaving womanhood, in a socially acceptable see It is possible to way. puerperal how in her case deemed a insanity was disease; curable relatively and grief is transient Annie simply required through and attention care that difficult process. was Clara In contrast, a machinist and lived poverty. in relative having given birth to an illegitimate an illegitimate birth to having given listed She was prior. weeks child two in as “laughing at nothing”, rambling vacantly. and staring conversation pull at bed clothes, She would and claimed that she needed no rest of a “chamber was that her bedroom describe her as . The records horrors” in poor a thin, malnourished woman of The very existence state. mental would child alone her illegitimate She was admitted in June 1907 in June admitted She was insanity, with a diagnosis of puerperal or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit Another issue that becomes clear when clear Another issue that becomes melancholia related to excessive lactation. lactation. excessive to melancholia related examining the records of Mapperley’s mothers mothers of Mapperley’s the records examining isolation and is an undeniable link between admitted was illness. Elizabeth mental postnatal diagnosed with 1898 and was in November have been proof of a woman in poor mental in poor mental of a woman been proof have and sexuality female The link between state. during cemented madness had been increasingly especially when it took century, the nineteenth outside of marriage. place Ironically, it was believed that if a woman could not remember the pain of childbirth she would be less likely to suffer with puerperal insanity. IMAGES LEFT TO RIGHT: SARAH, COURTESY COURTESY RIGHT: SARAH, LEFT TO IMAGES COURTESY ARCHIVES. CLARA, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE WITH ARCHIVES. WOMAN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COLLECTION. WELCOME MANIA, COURTESY PERPETUAL

“she states she has made a sacrifice of herself to Almighty God because of of Almighty God because to of herself she has made a sacrifice “she states of Mapperley seem not to the mothers narrative, this colourful Despite women The puerperal a dragon which is devouring the people of Bulwell, also that there is a secret is a secret also that there the people of Bulwell, is devouring which a dragon she has had her in a dream… to revealed her husband which was concerning on says that her husband is in prison boding, about the dragon, of ill dreams She is evidence. give to tomorrow court and that she must go to her account to live says that she only wishes to speaking about religion, continually serve God.” conform to what might be popularly perceived as the nineteenth-century as the nineteenth-century what might be popularly perceived to conform cases not chronic were lunatic. Most patients form a transient but simply suffering and would illness that could of mental and treatment The perception pass. illness at this mental of postnatal the values to linked time was This meant on women. placed and the way mothers as wives, ‘meant’ in which they were and as nurturers behave: to of the home. guardians in which insanity The way to linked defined was was deviations from the perceived behaviour. this acceptable of Mapperley also bear the classless and to testament of postnatal nature undiscerning in Annie, admitted ill-health. a from patient 1898 as a private was do so, to with the means family had Her baby case. a distinctly tragic to she continued been stillborn and yet Mary, a thirty-eight year old pauper housewife admitted in 1898. Mary in 1898. admitted housewife had old pauper a thirty-eight year Mary, admission. prior to weeks birth ten all living, and had given eleven children, the description of from but is clear mania as puerperal is listed Her condition psychosis: postnatal from suffering than likely more that she was her symptoms nineteenth century. Designed to take on the take to Designed century. nineteenth the County Asylum in Sneinton, from overspill philanthropic and institutional processes of the processes and institutional philanthropic Mapperley opened its doors on the 3rd August August on the 3rd Mapperley opened its doors asylum system that grew out of the increasingly out of the increasingly that grew asylum system 1880, under the direction of Medical Superintendent Superintendent of Medical 1880, under the direction Borough Asylum) was an addition to the county county the an addition to Asylum) was Borough Mapperley as Nottingham (initially known Asylum Dr Evan Powell, with capacity for 280 patients. patients. 280 for with capacity Powell, Dr Evan

The term puerperal insanity was used in the nineteenth-century to to used in the nineteenth-century insanity was puerperal The term By the mid-century it was widely believed that insanity in its various forms forms widely believed that insanity in its various it was the mid-century By However, the Nottingham borough borders had expanded between the between had expanded borders borough the Nottingham However,

BY CARLY-EMMA WHITE CARLY-EMMA BY www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit cover a spectrum of postnatal mental problems. The most common were were The most common problems. mental a spectrum of postnatal cover as presented melancholia. Mania generally mania and puerperal puerperal outlandish or grandiose incoherence, behaviour, and uncharacteristic erratic in state a depressive Melancholia was sexualisation. and over tendencies little, much or too eat, slept too unable to lack-lustre, was which the patient thoughts of ending their own have and could unmotivated unkempt, was is distinguished today, be understood as it would psychosis, Postnatal life. of more alongside the symptoms hallucinations, delusions and paranoia by this suffering The women illness, such as confusion. mental generalised been identified have insanity do not seem to of puerperal form extreme more in the same way categorised but are uniquely within the Mapperley records of this is that of illuminating example One particularly cases. as less extreme could be cured if dealt with appropriately, particularly within the sanctuary of particularly with appropriately, if dealt be cured could via rest, treatment movement, advocating Treatment an asylum. The Moral and inhumane outdated the in banishing the forefront to was and care, routine of the century, the closing years asylums. By of the privately-run practices of Numbers paupers. nationally were asylum inmates of county 98 per cent 1844 and 1890. 48,299 between rising by significantly, increasing were inmates an build to every for Asylum Act made it compulsory county The 1845 Lunatics outstripped capacity. demand continually However, years. asylum within three the final throughout constantly increased numbers patient Mapperley, At The financial 670 patients. around rising to of the nineteenth-century, decades outgoings total In 1900, the Asylum’s high. was community the local to cost (£16,552) was Most of this cost about £2.2m today). £19,270 (or to amounted area, Nottingham and its surrounding from Law Guardians the Poor by met patients, paying from Small sums came treated. per patient at about £26 p.a. population. of the Asylum about 10 per cent who comprised planning of the asylum and its opening, and thus numbers admitted were were admitted thus numbers planning of the asylum and its opening, and was demand, an extension increasing meet To year. within the first exceeded male by occupied These were built in 1889, which added six additional wards. patients; the female to over given were while the original six wards patients Mapperley asylum treated within a year. at capacity the asylum was but again, problems, health of mental a variety for of all ages both men and women dementia. mania to from

The mothers of Mapperley Asylum of mothers The THE MOTHERS OF MAPPERLEY ASYLUM ASYLUM MAPPERLEY OF MOTHERS THE 16 STORIES FROM THE STONE WOOD: A THOUSAND YEARS OF CHARNWOOD LIFE

On May 21st 2017, Beaumanor Hall in Woodhouse, Leicestershire, hosted a one- day heritage event. This was to celebrate Charnwood Roots; a HLF funded Victoria County Stories History project which for the past four years had delved into the history of north-Leicestershire’s Charnwood region. The day’s main attraction was a bespoke exhibition showcasing the from the work of over 650 volunteers, who had pored through thousands of documents, recorded people’s memories, investigated earthworks, Stone and recovered 4,468 datable artefacts from 89 test-pits. STORIES FROM THE STONE WOOD: A THOUSAND YEARS OF CHARNWOOD LIFE OF CHARNWOOD YEARS A THOUSAND WOOD: FROM THE STONE STORIES The aim of such a vast undertaking was to gather together the research needed to write Charnwood’s own entry in the latest Victoria County History series. The VCH aims to produce a fully researched history of every town, Wood village, and hamlet in England, from the earliest times to present day. The first volume for Leicestershire was published in 1907, followed by two further post-war volumes produced under the direction of W. G. Hoskins. During this time Hoskins also successfully lobbied for the VCH to include social A thousand years history alongside fields of study which were already well-established in the series, such as manorial descents, landed estates, and economic, landscape, and religious history. In this way he hoped to include the lives of those everyday of Charnwood life farm-labourers and factory-workers who made up the majority in the parishes being researched. BY JOSEPH HALL With around 6,500 pieces of historical information stored in the Charnwood Roots databank – soon to be publicly accessible online – narrowing the exhibition’s scope was vital. Using Hoskins’s approach, the exhibition focused on the personal stories of Charnwood’s past residents, telling a social history of Charnwood in the process. The aim of the exhibition, titled Stories from the Stone Wood: A Thousand Years of Charnwood Life, was to bring these stories to THE PERAMBULATION ROUND CHARNWOOD FOREST 1754, the public. COURTESY OF LEICESTERSHIRE RECORDS OFFICE The exhibition covered three large ground-floor rooms at Beaumanor Hall, and consisted of over 50 panels, 24,250 words, and 169 images. Each room catching wild animals and scandalising the acceptable alternatives to cash. In another example from 1270, Adam, the son of Ralph the Clerk of Quorn, was themed chronologically, from medieval, to neighbourhood by spilling priory secrets, whilst paid part of his rent with a wreath of marigolds. early modern, to modern. Artefact display cases Brother Broghtone received money from his family, The lives of individual Charnwood residents were also extracted from seemingly dry and impersonal also offered visitors a more tangible experience of which he then lent out. When reprimanded, documents, such as those relating to the Poor Laws. The Old Poor Law, in operation between 1601 and the past, displaying items ranging from Ulverscroft he boldly declared that he was free to use his 1834, was often tailored to meet individuals’ needs, and was even flexible enough to allow for exceptional Priory’s decorated medieval floor tiles, to the money as he saw fit, “without asking leave of anyone cases. The exhibition poignant fire-damaged log book of a German in the world!” Other stories were more sombre showed that in 1795, navigator who was killed when his plane was shot in tone, such as that of the carpenter Richard de FLOOR TILE FROM John Brown of Rothley down over Loughborough in 1940. Life in Charnwood ULVERSCROFT PRIORY Bredon. A Coroner’s Roll from an inquisition held In another example from 1270, obtained help from during World War Two was also displayed via an oral in 1363 recounted how Richard had been working local officials after history installation. on the steeple at Long Whatton when, losing his Adam, the son of Ralph the he was shot whilst footing whilst carrying timbers, he fell 50 feet to Broken up into easily digestible sections, it was the texts within the visiting Barrow. In the his death. Personal stories were also brought Clerk of Quorn, paid part of his exhibition panels themselves which told the stories. One section on medieval same parish only a to light from amongst the paperwork of official religious life recounted, among numerous other narratives, a farcical visit the few months later, the bureaucracy. One Inquisition Post Mortem rent with a wreath of marigolds. Bishop of Lincoln paid to Ulverscroft Priory in 1438. Prior John Annesley got pauper Mary Woolerton document from 1288 recounted that the tenants off on the wrong foot with the Bishop when he could not produce the priory’s was also given free of William de Ferrers of Groby had been allowed foundation document, nor the record of his own election as prior. The bishop medicine after a“mad dog” bit her. The New Poor Law, passed in 1834, was far stricter, and introduced a measure of creativity when paying their rents, also soon discovered that the priory was 100s (c.£25,000) in debt, and had the now-infamous workhouse. Those who found themselves inside the workhouse were forced to live a with five pounds of pepper, nine pounds of cumin, not submitted an annual account for over three years. Discipline was also lax. regimented life, separated from family and divided by age and gender. Strict discipline was also enforced, five pairs of gloves, an ounce of silk, six dozen Brother Rodyngton, for example, would roam the forest without permission, and many inmates fell foul of these draconian rules. In 1868 young Thomas Hill was “put in a dark hole” iron arrows, or one clove of gillyflower all being

18 19 Visit www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk or email [email protected] Visit www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk or email [email protected] HIDDEN VOICES LOST LEGENDS: CAPTURING THE HIDDEN CULTURAL CONTRIBUTION OF THE AFRICAN AND AFRICAN CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY IN THE UK. 21 BY GEMMA CLARKE GEMMA BY or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit October 2017 marked an important milestone, milestone, an important 2017 marked October Black History Month in Leicester has been coordinated by Serendipity since 2011. Its Lost Legends’ Legends’ 2011. Its Lost since Serendipity by has been coordinated Black History Month in Leicester Lost legends: cultural the hidden Capturing of the African contribution and African Caribbean the UK community in the thirtieth anniversary of Black History Month the thirtieth and reflect to an opportunity in the UK, providing and that the African the contribution recognise the made to have community Caribbean African of , the brainchild Legends Lost landscape. cultural celebrate to sought Serendipity, social enterprise and documenting, recording, by this milestone and hidden stories histories many unique archiving on focused the project In particular, in Leicester. communities all of Leicester’s for resources creating of Black preserving with, whilst a piece engage to generations. future for British heritage project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Leicester City Council and Arts Council England, has Leicester Fund, Lottery the Heritage by project, supported in the city over events and pioneers key that captured collaboration upon a multifaceted embarked history of oral includes an online media archive website Legends Lost The decades. the last three as new information be updated to which continues materials, clips and videos and a blog of archival story Leicester’s Houses Museum, showcased held at Newarke A month-long exhibition, is uncovered. and unique memorabilia featuring of a wider Black British history and perspective, within the context in the performed artists who have renowned alongside world pioneers, Leicester’s from ephemera political the current outputs included a short documentary film that highlighted The project’s city. of artists, perspectives the varying , capturing 30 Voices 30 Years Legends: Lost a publication, and debates every Throughout Leicester. to with a connection each and trailblazers, voices young activists, elders, you? Month mean to posed the question: What does Black History Serendipity Legends, aspect of Lost LOST LEGENDS EXHIBITION LAUNCH, LEGENDS EXHIBITION LAUNCH, LOST WITH JOE ALLEN, 2017, FREEDOM ZAMPALADUS OF SERENDIPITY COURTESY

Opera , was addressed to to addressed , was had their darker sides. sides. had their darker of hours In the early a fire April 19th 1898, five in pit number began Colliery. at Whitwick In the mine that morning men and 42 boys.were to spread soon The fire propping the timbers which up the roof, 35 trapping collapsed in a shaft filled miners carbon with suffocating one Not monoxide. survived. The youngest 13-year-old victim was John Albert Gee, who the furthest to had raced warn of the pit to part of the fire. other workers was written. It remains It remains written. was The Coney Warren The Coney ; a protest ballad penned by an unknown an unknown by penned ballad ; a protest Charnwood Opera Opera Charnwood MEDAL WHITWICK COLLIERY One panel which vividly brought to life the everyday life to which vividly brought One panel author and performed at the ‘Holly Bush’ pub in 1753. author and performed William Herrick, who in 1748 concerns The story it tells Charnwood Opera Charnwood concerns of the common people told the story of the people told of the common concerns

expanded his estate by encroaching onto lands set aside aside lands set onto encroaching by his estate expanded land, more he enclosed yet year use. The next common for against guard to the fences around warreners and posted many housed Herrick’s These enclosures trespassers. - and many of his of income source - a valuable warrens

These examples are just a few of the many stories told in the told of the many stories just a few are These examples or books – for Charnwood. To find out how you can help with this, either help with this, can you out how find To Charnwood. or books – for or joining the 200 Club, of the Trust, a Friend becoming volunteering, by visit www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk/counties/leicestershire exhibition, which is modular and can be broken down into themes into down be broken and can which is modular exhibition, would in smaller sections. If you be displayed or time-periods to – or in part – in full venue own at your display the exhibition to like emailing Dr Julie by be obtained can listing of its panels a catalogue has Project Roots on [email protected]. Whilst the Charnwood Attard is Trust VCH the Leicestershire for step an end, the next to come now writing-up and publishing the book – stage: the next for fundraise to warreners were armed with guns. To oppose what they saw as ongoing theft they oppose what saw as ongoing armed with guns. To were warreners and spades, with pitch-forks, men armed themselves land, local of common men. A fight Herrick’s at Charley Knoll and confronted They met pickaxes. named William Stevenson protester a local out and in the confusion broke subsequently were Whilst many of the rioters wound. head a fatal received did the rioters However, of the murder. ever convicted nobody was arrested, a while. In 1753, for land, at least the common their rights to regain to manage the riot, after the short years a few were also recited by the Grand Union Folk Club, perhaps for the first time in the first perhaps for Club, Union Folk the Grand by also recited were 250 years. over the only surviving example of a protest ballad against enclosure. Consisting of enclosure. against ballad the only surviving of a protest example songs of of popular folk the tunes to been set have seven songs which would the events at Charley Knoll both commemorate to written likely the time, it was of further in the face of resistance the importance people of remind and to enclose land. One song, to attempts William Herrick and a Swithland landowner, and describes the mood of many William Herrick and a Swithland landowner, of common selfish grasping the manorial lords’ by impoverished who felt locals of the parts its inclusion in the exhibition, In addition to resources. Joseph Hall Joseph Charnwood Roots Project

– a line “grubbing out” “grubbing in the bath-house. “improper connexion” “improper “Robin Hood in Sherwood stood” “Robin The lives of those who extracted Charnwood’s natural resources were were resources natural Charnwood’s of those who extracted The lives Crime and conflict often generated much in the way of paperwork,way of in much in the even generated often Crime and conflict The exhibition also covered education. One story among many involved education. also covered The exhibition Struck over the head with a poleaxe by Walter a poleaxe by Walter Struck over the head with escaped and staggered Atte Halle, the Chaplain days later. home before dying three

also recounted. Kay Porter lived close to Mountsorrel as a girl, and recalled as a girl, and recalled Mountsorrel close to lived Kay Porter also recounted. when the the main road down bounce sometimes would that chips of granite and Kay was the town, dust also covered quarrymen blasting. Granite were be black rather supposed to that blackberries were she realised 15 before industries also such dangerous many, for work Whilst providing than grey. the moss from between the cobblestones in the garden during break-time. during break-time. in the garden the cobblestones between the moss from although Miss Jacques ¼ of a penny, they be paid would every bucket For full Working measuring. before with her foot down the cobblestones press would mined to Books were and Account of the exhibition, another focus were lives and her children, Swon Alice like peasants of medieval highlight the stories Indentures Apprenticeship Dieu Priory. Grace by owned who harvested crops Charnwood’s how show also used to were the 18th and 19th centuries from Whilst most went trades. learning by and girls climbed out of poverty boys knitting, midwifery, framework such as carpentry, ordinary professions into became of Mountsorrel Newton or household management, in 1757 Elizabeth and in 1893 Harry Wesley of Woodhouse maker, a gingerbread to apprenticed business. the confectionary learn to Leicester to moved Eaves www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit and given little food for 15 hours for wandering into the wrong yard at Barrow at Barrow yard the wrong into wandering for 15 hours for little food and given each were William Smith and Susan Wootton later years and five workhouse, having labour for hard 21 days’ given medieval times, and, as such, many documents survive which attest to this. times, and, as such, many documents survive to which attest medieval which included stories a series of panels by exhibition in the shown This was common crime of goods, and the unusually mis-selling robbery, of affray, also recounted. serious crimes were More with dungheaps. blocking paths of an inquest held at Swannington told Roll one 1364 Coroner’s example, For the head Struck over of the Chaplain of Hugglescote. the death investigate to and staggered Halle, the Chaplain escaped Atte Walter by with a poleaxe to relatable more perhaps In a caption days later. dying three home before an absent- in 1464 showed session held at Belton a court modern audiences, minded scribe writing the words a school in Mountsorrel, which was founded in 1840 in the back room of one of room in 1840 in the back founded which was a school in Mountsorrel, by pocket-money earn to allowed Pupils were Miss Jacques. from a contemporary song – on the court roll itself. Realising his lapse in Realising itself. roll song – on the court a contemporary from it out. he quickly crossed concentration, STORIES FROM THE STONE WOOD: A THOUSAND YEARS OF CHARNWOOD LIFE CHARNWOOD OF YEARS THOUSAND A WOOD: STONE THE FROM STORIES 20 LOST LEGENDS: CAPTURING THE HIDDEN CULTURAL CONTRIBUTION OF THE AFRICAN AND CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY IN THE UK. HIDDEN VOICES

Pawlet Brookes, Chief Executive Officer and Riots started in Bristol in 1980 and Brixton in Leicester, giving them new opportunities to learn, Coloured Heavyweight Champion of the World, a title which he won in 1928 and 1935. He won 17 of the Leicester has also been called home by the Artistic Director of Serendipity describes how Black 1981, and quickly spread to other cities such share and promote their history, thoughts and 18 fights he had in Leicester from 1930 to 1937, including one in June 1931 against Phil Scott, heavyweight more familiar face of fitness pioneer Derrick History Month came about: as Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds and Leicester. perspectives on their culture. champion of the British Empire, at the Tigers’ ground on Welford Road in front of a crowd of around 34,000 ‘Mr Motivator’ Evans, who became a television This can be set against a backdrop of high youth people. It ended with a knockout in the second round. Something of a local celebrity at the time, despite success in the 1990s promoting well being and The Lost Legends exhibition, and its companion unemployment, inner-city deprivation and being little acknowledged in Leicester today, a photograph from 1932 shows Larry Gains judging a Fancy fitness on morning television. Actor Josette Simon, publication Lost Legends: 30 Years, 30 Voices, racial profiling from the police in the form of Dress Carnival competition on Shrove Tuesday at St Chad’s Church, Leicester. also from Leicester, was the first Black female actor worked to position local Black history with those Black History Month the ‘Sus’ Laws, which chiefly impacted on young to appear in a lead role with the Royal Shakespeare events happening nationally and internationally Leicester was also home to Laurel Aitken (1925–2005), well-known as the ‘Godfather of Ska’ and an Black men. Funding enabled the African and Company when she was cast as Rosaline in in the UK started in 1987 by including a timeline of key milestones from innovator in this genre of music. Born in Cuba, Laurel lived in Jamaica and London before moving to African Caribbean community across the UK to Love’s Labour’s Lost in 1985. the last two hundred and fifty years. For example, Leicester in 1971. Laurel’s hits include Boogie in my Bones (1958), Little Sheila (1958) and Rudi Got Married and actually it grew out develop new opportunities, such as Black History Una Marson became the first Black female (1980), and his legacy can be seen in the work of contemporary artists such as Pauline Black, The Selecter, Alongside homegrown trailblazers, Lost Legends Month. In Leicester, this began with the creation of civil unrest in the 80s. broadcaster at the BBC in 1939, and Elaine Hinds Madness and The Beat. In 2007, a commemoration was held, with a Heritage Foundation Blue Plaque has provided a opportunity to recognise those who of the Leicester Caribbean Carnival in 1984, with became the first Black telephonist for the Leicester placed at Laurel Aitken’s former home. Other local musical pioneers include Millie Munroe and Pearl have contributed to the cultural dynamics of the In the early 80s we had riots the first Carnival taking place in 1985, and the General Post Office in 1964. The first Black MPs Ricketts, and their band Eastern Variation. Formed in 1973, the band was one of the first in Leicester city, such as Cy Grant, who performed as Othello at development of new spaces for community groups were elected to the UK Parliament in 1987, to feature both black and white musicians. They released several records including Baby, I Love You. the Phoenix Theatre, Adelaide Hall who appeared across the country and the and organisations which included purpose-built and Joseph Allen was elected to Leicester City Millie and Pearl also appear as gospel duet, The Foster Sisters and have received numerous accolades at Leicester’s Haymarket Theatre and Billy Eckstine venues such as the Highfields Workshop Centre outcome of that was that the Council in the same year. Adkyaaba Addai Sebbo and awards and have worked closely with the community to share their passion for music. who appeared at De Montfort Hall. Fortunately, (now the African Caribbean Centre) and Ajani is widely acknowledged as the founder of Black through research, programmes and newspaper government threw money at Women and Girls Centre, the first Black women’s History Month in London, with the first event articles could be found for these performances. Centre in the Midlands. Raddle’s Bookshop MILLIE MUNROE (LEFT) AND PEARL RICKETTS Black organisations. It was taking place in October 1987. In Leicester, events However, other ephemera has been apparently (founded in 1979) was a place where the African (RIGHT), COURTESY OF MILLIE AND PEARL celebrating Black history had been taking place lost altogether, not to be found in the deposits of and African Caribbean community found resources those organisations that for many years under the leadership of Wolde local venues or archives. Such is the case of Ella and books about their heritage and culture not Selassie (1953-2015), who advised and supported Fitzgerald’s performance at De Montfort Hall, have driven Black History widely available in mainstream book shops. the programme through the Leicester African for which little or no documentation could be These spaces provided a service to the African Month forward. Caribbean Citizens Forum (LACAF) and was Chair found, despite the recollection of the event and African Caribbean community in Highfields, of the Black History Consortium. Wolde, as an by many. activist, worked tirelessly within Leicester’s African Black History Month 2017 has celebrated and African Caribbean community and was well- the key achievements of Leicester’s pioneers and known as a poet, educator and percussion tutor. WOLDE SELASSIE, COURTESY OF EARLE ROBINSON trailblazers with almost 2,000 people visiting the It is the stories and contributions of people such as Lost Legends exhibition during October, and nearly Elaine Hinds, Joseph Allen and Wolde Selassie that 200,000 viewing the Lost Legends film online Serendipity felt was important to document. (via The Guardian’s coverage). Now Black Lost Legends has also uncovered many History Month looks to the future, continuing hidden stories, such as boxer Larry Gains, who to be celebrated every day of the year, giving all lived in Leicester during the 1930s. Larry was of Leicester’s communities the opportunity to born in Canada in 1900 but he made his first learn about the contribution African and professional appearance in 1923 in London as African Caribbean people have made to ‘The Toronto Terror’. As a Black boxer, Larry Gains their city, and the opportunity to share in was barred at that time from competing for the this unique history and heritage. British Championship, but he did compete for the

Pawlet Brookes Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director – Serendipity LOST LEGENDS: CAPTURING THE HIDDEN CULTURAL CONTRIBUTION OF THE AFRICAN AND AFRICAN CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY IN THE UK. OF THE AFRICAN AND CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION THE HIDDEN CULTURAL LEGENDS: CAPTURING LOST In the early Gemma Clarke Project Researcher – Serendipity 80s we had Amy Grain Administrator – Serendipity riots across the About the book country and The Lost Legends online media archive is accessible to all and can be found at the outcome www.lost-legends.serendipity-uk.com along with a link to the Lost Legends film. Copies of Lost Legends: 30 Years 30 Voices of that was that publication are available to purchase on Amazon or at www.serendipity-uk.com/ the government shop. For more information about this and other Serendipity projects, please contact 0116 257 7316 or email threw money [email protected]. at Black organisations.

22 23 Visit www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk or email [email protected] Visit www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk or email [email protected] HIDDEN VOICES LEICESTERSHIRE’S TOY STORY 25

“It is 80 years since years since “It is 80 Palitoy toys were first first were toys Palitoy in in Coalville made hall still an old billiard and on the site, standing famous I thought the company should be toy a green with celebrated special plaque at this will be the time. 2019 its founding of centenary hope My in Leicester. plaque is that the green for may be the catalyst a permanent heritage so that in Coalville centre people will remember as Action such toys fondly Tiny Tears, Tressy, Man, Railways, Pippa, Mainline Games, Parker Girls World, Wars Bears, Star Care and Striker.” Bob Brechin (1967-1984) Chief Designer Palitoy Former

In 1968, Palitoy was sold to the US the US sold to was In 1968, Palitoy IMAGE TO THE LEFT: ACTION MAN THE LEFT: ACTION TO IMAGE 1965 TEARS THE RIGHT: TINY TO IMAGE Mills Toy Group took a tremendous hit. a tremendous took Group Mills Toy In the UK the Palitoy name went. In the UK the Palitoy in remained at Coalville site The factory 1986, from Parker as Kenner operation whose staff, Palitoy its former employing significantly. fallen had already numbers Tonka, by owned it was years Within two The Hasbro. sell out to later who would finally sold in 1994, with the was factory Playdoh machine for last manufacturing Ireland. to moving Designer Chief former Bob Brechin, factory the who nominated at Palitoy, said at award council the county for the unveiling: giant General Mills, and over the next the next Mills, and over giant General increased, turnover years, twelve before what had been £300,000 from 30 million. a massive to Tressy, introduction the achieved by This was companies sister from of new products Group, Mills Toy in the General other companies from sourcing from brand-new and the world, around out of the designs coming at design department expanding such as Striker, products Coalville: and Pippa. Girls World, Action Force, such ranges put together Marketing and a Time, Pocketeers as Discovery Bradgate. wholesale division called in introduced Games was Parker range 1971 with a comprehensive in USA, company the sister from with new expanded and this was designed and developed at games even took The company Coalville. with its own on the mighty Hornby totally which was Mainline Railways, scratch, designed and developed from and with an emphasis on detail of British uniforms, including The including of British uniforms, and and the SAS, Cavalry Household and Land Rover such as the vehicles got he of course, And, Tank. Scorpion gripping hands. his Palitoy-inspired or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit With the release of the second Star Wars film, Wars Star of the second With the release Yet within a few years both the coalmine and the toy and the toy both the coalmine years within a few Yet the annals of history. to be consigned would company itself of its Toy divest Mills decided to In 1985 General falsely production, over previously, years Two Group. many inferior plans, and too marketing confident saw the boom many companies, too from products General a slump. into turn and hype of video games toys were were toys Wars Star In 1978 Kenner’s authenticity. way their found Palitoy, launched, and, through the change would Wars Star British homes. into worldwide. marketing business of toy , the demand for the toys the toys Back, the demand for Strikes The Empire the BBC of the interest, Because substantially. rose and described the factory visited Newsnight team of a coalmine”. on top goldmine as “a Palitoy Miles Fletcher was employed, with his marketing with his marketing employed, was Miles Fletcher YVONNE DOLL OF THE CENTURY YVONNE Lane was producing all sorts and sizes of polythene all sorts and sizes producing Lane was 20-gallon to up liquid washing those for bottles, from division,toy sell off the decided to It was carboys. into be transformed it had to but first Palitoy, buyers. attract that would something manager Bob Simpson, to turn what was basically basically was what turn Bob Simpson, to manager what could into a manufacturing/sales operation marketing a modern toy become potentially facilities. manufacturing with up-to-date company of under license with the manufacture It started doll with fashion in 1964. Barbie, Mattel’s Tressy outfits, had been pocket-money accompanying 1959, and Pedigree since selling phenomenally well was in the UK. Tressy the concept had copied doll - but with a difference. another fashion the from year, The following Her hair grew. company same American was Tiny Tears as Tressy, Some of introduced. that the old products looking jaded were out of the cleared were but Miles catalogue, that and Bob realized missing was what was the boys. for something Action Man – Enter Hassenfeld from also in the Brothers, Action Man Initially, USA. G I Joe in basically was but as packaging, Palitoy he progressed the years essentially British, became with the introduction

BY BOB BRECHIN BOB BY

Palitoy began making soft-bodied dolls in Coalville in 1937 in a former billiard hall situated on hall situated former billiard in 1937 in a dolls in Coalville making soft-bodied began Palitoy de-louse first he had to Street, house on Britannia boarding a former them. Renting make He then had to half a million in today’s to £10,000 (equivalent was and the turnover had grown, In 1927 his workforce In 1931 Pallett sold the business to the large plastics concern Bakelite Xylonite Limited (BXL), and with (BXL), Limited Xylonite Bakelite plastics concern the large sold the business to In 1931 Pallett on its growing should concentrate that Cascelloid the conclusion to came 1960s, BXL In the early the building before ploughing all his savings into buying sheets of celluloid and some presses. He completed He completed and some presses. of celluloid buying sheets all his savings into ploughing the building before windmill. the Flitafast in 1920 was toy His first making other products. then began Woolworths, for the order upon doll, Diddums, based and in 1925 his first rattles, baby on to just a summer line, so he moved This was of character examples one of the first This was Atwell. Mabel Lucy by of quirky characters the illustrations dolls followed. Many other character merchandising. Works. at the Britannia occurred fire put out of business when a disastrous almost but he was terms), the flames. stoked certainly have would flammable and, if not the cause, Celluloid is extremely that came the brand-new Britannia Works for Cascelloid on Abbey Lane in Leicester. In 1935 the name Palitoy In 1935 the name Palitoy on Abbey Lane in Leicester. Cascelloid Works for Britannia the brand-new that came years two operational was factory until the Coalville its toys for Cascelloid used by wasn’t but registered, was the old billiard behind of ground Division on 3 ½ acres Toy for the was built factory a new War, the After later. in injection pioneers become would Cascelloid re-established. was toys hall and the business of producing vinyl” – a soft, natural-feeling “petal-skin the end of the 1940s, it introduced By moulding and blow-moulding. dolls either had. Previously “the doll of the century” in 1953 of Yvonne, the introduction plastic, which led to hair – that is nylon plastic filaments “real” pioneered glued on. Cascelloid wig was or a separate hair painted washed and styled. could be – which dolls head the soft vinyl into stitched on Abbey the factory of blow-moulding, especially with the advent the years, Over sector. industrial products Undeterred, he opened up another factory nearby. nearby. he opened up another factory Undeterred, Owen Street. Cascelloid, Palitoy’s owners, was founded in 1919 in Leicester. Alfred Edward Pallett, Pallett, Edward Alfred in 1919 in Leicester. founded was owners, Palitoy’s Cascelloid, Street. Owen a living selling typewriters. trying make and was to exams his accountancy old, had failed 18 years barely in the a business of his own he started him, instead excite that would not a career Thinking that this was hold a bar to of a plastic container with an example London of plastics. Making a trip to world emergent Woolworths. from order with a substantial Leicester to back he came of soap

A former factory in Leicestershire, in Leicestershire, factory A former Posnett, Councilor Pam COURTESY LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL COUNTY LEICESTERSHIRE COURTESY

www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit

Leicestershire’s

which was responsible for popular popular for responsible which was such as Action Man, toys children’s has figures, Wars and Star Tiny Tears, plaque. with a green been honoured the plaque 2nd November On Thursday , factory" at the "old toy installed was the now which is on Jackson Street, The company, Business Park. Coalville and marketed manufactured Palitoy, in some of the most popular toys it 1985 – before 1937 to - from Britain Bob Simpson, who was trading. ceased 1969 and between managing director along with at the unveiling, 1981, was employees. many former County Council’s Leicestershire plaques, green member for cabinet stoke not only helped to said: “Palitoy imaginations with its classic children’s also helped to dolls and games, it toys, put Coalville on the map.”

toy story toy LEICESTERSHIRE’S TOY STORY TOY LEICESTERSHIRE’S 24 HIDDEN VOICES EXPLORING THE EAST MIDLANDS: INVOLVING COMMUNITIES IN HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH 27

East Midlands

Further reading: Nicholas Cooper (ed), of the East Midlands: The Archaeology Assessment Resource An Archaeological 2006). David Knight, and Agenda (Leicester, Allen, and Carol Blaise Vyner Agenda Research An Updated Heritage: Environment the Historic for and Strategy of the East Midlands (Nottingham, 2012). https:// Frameworks: Research Regional historicengland.org.uk/research/support- and-collaboration/research-resources/ research-frameworks/ To access the Research Framework Framework the Research access To Blaise Vyner Consultancy Blaise Vyner How to get involved How to Knight David Archaeology Trent & Peak and to find out how to contribute, contribute, to find out how and to visit http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/ researchframeworks/eastmidlands/wiki/ Getinvolved/ or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit overview, Agenda and Strategy can then be added, can and Strategy Agenda overview, conferences, of forthcoming along with details to keen also and other events. We are meetings might be the website on how feedback receive resource, user-friendly a more create to enhanced if users be pleased would this purpose and for . at [email protected] us directly contact could We are interested in receiving updates on updates in receiving interested We are What does our website offer? The texts texts The offer? What does our website BOAR’S HEAD MILLS, DARLEY ABBEY: LASER SCAN OF LONG MILL, SHOWING LOWER FLOOR AREAS (RED AND PURPLE) AREAS (RED FLOOR LOWER MILL, SHOWING LASER SCAN OF LONG ABBEY: DARLEY HEAD MILLS, BOAR’S OF THE INTERNAL UNDERSTANDING ADDING TO AROUND THE MACHINES, AS THEY MOVED WORKERS BY WORN FUNDED LOTTERY OF THE HERITAGE WAS CARRIED OUT AS PART BUILDING. THIS PROJECT OF THIS ORGANISATION COUNCIL. COUNTY SOURCE: DERBYSHIRE PROJECT. ROOTS YOUNG How to contribute How to archaeological projects, building surveys, projects, archaeological that other work and documentary research in the Research topics sheds light on key changing forms the example, for Agenda: of Nottingham, of the caves and functions and the development of the Derwent Valley of the Industrial Revolution. as a focus these addressing of work examples Recent that are projects questions include the two of a hitherto excavations here: illustrated in Convent complex cave unrecorded Nottingham (http://confetti.ac.uk/ Street, ) and laser-scanning nottingham-caves/ of industrial and domestic buildings in the Site Mills World Heritage Derwent Valley (http://www.derwentvalleymills.org/learn/ learning-schools/school-projects/the- ). technology-then-technology-now/ should log in the wiki, visitors to contribute To as a new user. and register the home page to on the regional and comments Information of the 2006 and 2012 publications have been have of the 2006 and 2012 publications web a series of interlinked into converted view and to users encourage which we pages via a standard is provided on. Access comment of the website An initial version browser. web currently are in 2017, and we launched was its effectiveness establish to it monitoring involvement. community encouraging for this pilot study from gained The knowledge long-term for strategy sustainable a will inform of the resource. and enhancement maintenance you We hope that this article will encourage own it with your the wiki, update consult to the on how feedback and provide discoveries be improved. can site BY DAVID KNIGHT AND BLAISE VYNER DAVID BY We have focused in recent years upon finding sustainable – and accessible – and accessible upon finding sustainable years in recent focused We have RECENT WORK IN CONVENT STREET, NOTTINGHAM FOR NOTTINGHAM TRENT NOTTINGHAM FOR NOTTINGHAM STREET, IN CONVENT RECENT WORK IN THE MEDIEVAL ORIGINATE MAY THAT COMPLEX REVEALED A CAVE UNIVERSITY UNDERSTANDING ADVANCE TO OPPORTUNITY A VALUABLE PERIOD, PROVIDING OF THE RESEARCH A KEY OBJECTIVE OF CAVES. AND USE OF THE MORPHOLOGY D KNIGHT; © TRENT & PEAK ARCHAEOLOGY). (PHOTOGRAPH: STRATEGY Creating a digital resource resource a digital Creating – methods of ensuring long-term maintenance and enhancement of the and enhancement maintenance of ensuring long-term – methods independent archaeologists input from and of encouraging framework, utilising for the potential explore decided to It was groups. and community for wider engagement. as a medium website, our as seen on wiki software, (http://www. Framework Research Archaeological such as the Scottish Projects and we of this approach, the potential shown ) have scottishheritagehub.com hope will assist the development of that we a methodology established have frameworks. research other regional

Regional overview: of a summaryRegional knowledge of current of the resource and built environment the archaeological East Midlands. questions for key our generate to Agenda: Research research. future our advancing for measures establish to Strategy: Research of the questions identified in the Agenda. understanding Work on the Research Framework began nearly twenty years years twenty nearly began Framework Work on the Research The framework comprises three key elements: key three comprises The framework • • • It takes the form of an updatable web resource that gives users users gives that resource web of an updatable the form It takes Our exciting new website provides an interactive an interactive provides new website Our exciting How was the framework developed developed the framework How was and why is it important? What is the research framework? What is the research historic environment research environment historic Involving communities in communities Involving Exploring the East Midlands: East the Exploring ago with a series of county studies that provided the foundation for for the foundation that provided studies with a series of county ago overview of the East Midlands. entitled The Archaeology a regional for of the evidence review general the first provided That volume of hunter-gatherers the appearance from human activity in the region: Later 20th century. the late to Age phases of the last Ice during warm published in 2012 and Strategy, Agenda a Research generated work been have . Both works under the title of East Midlands Heritage and are study, further for resources as valuable widely recognised investigations as guides to in the planning process used extensively development. by and buildings threatened sites of archaeological with consultation extensive has involved of the project Each stage of and members independent researchers groups, community authorities, contracting government local departments, university archaeology in the region’s with interests units and other organisations example a rare thus provides and built environment. The framework than rather of a document which has been made with these partners, them. being done for from a variety of research backgrounds the opportunity to contribute contribute to the opportunity backgrounds of research a variety from (http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/researchframeworks/ find out the purpose of this on to ). Read eastmidlands/wiki/ use can you developed, and how it was how evolving resource, it. to and contribute resource for studying the archaeological and built the archaeological studying for resource with Historic of the East Midlands. Created heritage to of a national strategy as a part England funding the website frameworks, research develop regional and inspire research future inform is designed to communities. local by work

www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit EXPLORING THE EAST MIDLANDS: INVOLVING COMMUNITIES IN HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT HISTORIC IN COMMUNITIES INVOLVING MIDLANDS: EAST THE EXPLORING 26 HIDDEN VOICES HENRY BOWDON – TALES FROM THE LIFE OF A DERBYSHIRE COUNTRY SQUIRE 29

” Christmas was not a time Christmas was English weather weather English provides always but surprises weather Derbyshire during the period wonders provided for sentimentality for Henry: for sentimentality for “Had the usual commotion dined at We in the kitchen. and of singers sets Two three. (1867). came” an old horse in the kitchen Proceedings him: fascinated must have of the simple procedure an warranted pickling eggs “

One of the biggest events in Henry’s later later events in Henry’s One of the biggest few are there not surprisingly, Perhaps entry in the diary serious (1862). Things became caused oven baking when in 1870 an over-heated chimney. in the back-kitchen fire a dangerous his stiff upper lip: kept however, Henry, and beer we water men, ladders, with “Luckily some time of anxiety.” got in, put it out after at a ball attended when the family was life Derbyshire Bakewell, House near Chatsworth of hours three (1871). The journey involved but way, each carriage horse-drawn by travelling worthwhile: made the effort of royalty the presence very little dancing, the very crowded, “The ball was well gallery; and looked in the Sculpture supper was of Wales The Princess in the midst of the Statuary. got very charming. We a little looked who danced the night.” home at 6 all having enjoyed House of Southgate the domestic staff to references the time when Henry At and his family in the diary. number of live-in saw a varying servants there, lived for came who only staff (local comfort their daily to ‘Extracts from the Diary of Henry Bowdon Esq. Part I.’, in: I.’, the Diary from of Henry Esq. Part ‘Extracts Bowdon

Southgate House and Its Inhabitants Life seems to have passed in orderly lines at Southgate House and judging lines at Southgate in orderly passed have seems to Life Christiane Müller-Hazenbos of Author Quotes taken from: the day notwithstanding): five in 1841, nine in 1851, seven in 1861, and eight in five the day notwithstanding): possibly less due to within the workforce, fluctuation the usual was 1871. There long never stayed that especially women than the fact treatment inappropriate marriage. after up work give to expected as theyin service were in these routines. that Henry the entries in his diaryby secure felt it appears personal a clear glean in the diary can which we from Nothing is reflected is but there and detached, neutral remain Most of his observations stance. shows. his family for humour and the love flash of laconic the occasional the exactly displayed the Butler-Bowdons be trusted, to are If the sources their conduct society, of them by expected which was class consciousness their know to appeared of hubris. They always an absence by characterised Abbey’s Downton Bruce, or as Alastair they within the world inhabited, place of the world view the aristocrats’ to summarises, “The key advisor, historical all had that they the struggle reflect ‘The manners duty. not privilege, it was was was presentation The immaculate life. to approach moral a perfect achieve to all.” to correctness of moral a statement , Mount St. Mary’s College, Spinkhill, Volume VI, No. 34 Easter 1914, p. 1914, p. 34 Easter VI, No. Spinkhill, Volume College, , Mount St.The Mountaineer Mary’s , Mount St. in: The Mountaineer Part II.’, the Diary from of Henry Esq. Extracts Bowdon 108ff. 135ff. 35 Midsummer 1914, p. VI, No. Spinkhill, Volume College, Mary’s or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit LITTLE BUTLER-BOWDON BOY IN DONKEY-DRAWN CART IN FRONT OF IN FRONT OF CART IN DONKEY-DRAWN BOY LITTLE BUTLER-BOWDON OXFORD BUTLER-BOWDON, TOM COURTESY HOUSE, SOUTHGATE errands occasional to as attending As well (22 on family but detailed irregular are life of his private accounts Henry’s in which not only shone through Henryfor his daughters spot had a soft LITTLE BUTLER-BOWDON GIRL ON DONKEY IN THE GARDENS OF SOUTHGATE HOUSE, HOUSE, OF SOUTHGATE GIRL ON DONKEY IN THE GARDENS LITTLE BUTLER-BOWDON OXFORD BUTLER-BOWDON, TOM COURTESY pursuing the pleasure of the hunt (five entries). entries). of the hunt (five the pleasure pursuing is coal entries), as (five topic occasional is an Food entries). sports (five entries) and mining (four Henry occasional the within Derbyshire, undertook at e.g. visiting his nun sister journey, private monastery a then Benedictine in Abbey, Oulton Palace (1858), sightseeing at Crystal Staffordshire (1858), Hill, London at Sydenham and gardens (1860), socialising Shropshire hunting at Plowden, viewing (1863), arts an with politicians in London (1869), London Academy, at the Royal exhibition of Southport and Filey holidaying at the beaches issues health of care taking (1870), or with his family took 1874). The Catholic cause (1871, at Harrogate attended (1864, 1866), and he also Preston him to (1870). Despite (1865, 1874) and Leeds Catholics in London of leading meetings the politics, Henry leave in international no inclination to showed his interest afield. any further or go visit the continent British Isles to at Beighton sister Henry’s visits to family Regular life). 12 on domestic matters, (1872) Warwickshire at Baddesley Clinton, family Fields Priory Ferrers or the more Even these events carefully. and Henry important recorded were and picnics. He sounds quite as walks such joint undertakings were important with her pony during a had a riding accident Alice alarmed when his daughter ‘watercressing’ went family health-conscious (1865). The apparently walk local in a carriage a picnic at Castleton to (1866), and travelled village in a near-by in 1866. College of Mount St. members by Mary’s accompanied and four Henry amusement for of who drily comments, be a source to Holidays proved of women, numbers of men and for want for “Southport especially celebrated wind and sand” (1870). and shrimps. Also for donkeys children, cutting her on Constance but also in notes misfortune, his worry Alice’s over of the party” (1868). Neither did the fate tea cat’s (1859) or giving “a eye teeth 50 (1874), died aged the parrot, When Polly, him untouched. leave pets family manner unostentatious buried in a quiet “She was almost lyrical: he becomes many of her deceased where of the Orchard, ash at the top under the weeping a popular was entertainment Educational lie interred.” and friends relatives College Mount St. from Mary’s the Fathers In 1861, House. at Southgate pastime tricks, and in 1875 conjuring and performed magica with a laterna over came on a lecture gave one of the Fathers Spinkhill School’ where to “the ladies went Chemistrysome experiments.” and also Henry was a pious man, a staunch Catholic, Henry man, a staunch a pious was a Henry is that he kept sets apart What really Mount to his connection was his main focus Yet “loved to dwell in conversation on those on those in conversation dwell to who “loved the loyal and showed days of the Church, hard the one who had received and principles of feelings ancestry.” a suffering through of faith inheritance him as “truly a country describe reports press Local always domestic house was whose happy squire, and and venerated and friends, his family open to and labouring classes his tenantry cherished by or word with a pleasant ready him, … ever around of the affection lay the secret chat with all, and in this Henry must and died.” in which he lived and esteem and good health a man of robust been have a carpet “like his stomach who treated appetite that know not indestructible. We bag”, but he was face toothache and from in his mid-40s he suffered bouts of rheumatism and as from ache, as well physical strong his generally despite Yet neuralgia. that bronchitis a ‘simple’ was it tragically condition, at place His final resting life. Henry’s put an end to Fields Priory behind Beighton enclosure the walled of his standing. is a lasting testament of Although the original is lost, a compilation diary. articles in Spinkhill’s in two published entries was in-house journal The College’s Mount St. Mary’s two over span in 1914. The notes Mountaineer after 1854, the year between life, of Henry’s decades in 1875. his death before until a week his marriage, and the life the past into a window are The contents in an his family and squire county of a Derbyshire century, house during the mid-19th English country The 174 recorded era. the heyday of the Victorian and Henry as a keen entries showcase Bowdon House at Southgate witty observer of proceedings of the homesteads Fields Priory, and Beighton of place and at Spinkhill, the family’s his family, home. Many entries record and spiritual worship historical national and international the great of the taking example, events of the time: for War, (1854) and the end of the Crimean Sevastopol temporal Albert’s Mutiny (1857), Price the Sepoy Chapel, Windsor Castle in St.entombment George’s Alexandra of Princess (1861), the triumphant arrival Sheffield (1863), the ‘Great of Denmark in London Dam Dyke of the Dale the burst by Flood’ caused Rising’ (1867 ). (1864), and the ‘Fenian entries in his diary Forty-three College. St. Mary’s of with its members dealings around revolve school and the activities at the boy’s the clergy, and 32 offered, the college entertainment regular and national proceedings local to dedicated are Henry records within the Catholic Church. proudly hunting, shooting and fishing and for his passion (in 34 meticulous the years over his successes on local 1859 he also focused entries). From phenomena (19 entries). Commenting weather on this obsession, the author of the articles in always “‘English weather noted: The Mountaineer during the weather surprises but Derbyshire provides (Diary wonders” of Henry period provided Bowdon and Deputy magistrate 110). As a Liberal, I, p. Part Henry also kept of Derby, the County for Lieutenant politics and other in local on his involvement tabs without He comments issues (17 entries). regional on his bouts of sickness which of self-pity any show mass,but never from attending him from prevented

BY CHRISTIANE MÜLLER-HAZENBOS

SOUTHGATE HOUSE, COURTESY FRANCIS FRANCIS COURTESY HOUSE, SOUTHGATE CROWBOROUGH RAVENSCROFT, AND SACHA

One of Southgate House’s most illustrious inhabitants was Henry was (1814 - 1875). He, his wife Bowdon most illustrious inhabitants House’s One of Southgate The family was firmly rooted in the Catholic faith. They considered themselves recusant, themselves and in this They considered in the Catholic faith. firmly rooted was The family The Butler-Bowdons originated from Bowdon near Altrincham, Cheshire (hence the surname). (hence Altrincham, Cheshire near Bowdon from originated The Butler-Bowdons Its history provides a microcosm of English social history over the last two and a half centuries. and a half centuries. of English social history the last two over a microcosm Its history provides Southgate House, located north-east of Clowne, Derbyshire, is a paragon is a paragon Derbyshire, of Clowne, north-east House, located Southgate

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Henry Bowdon –Henry Bowdon Tales from the lifeTales from of a Derbyshire Squire country and their two daughters lived at Southgate House for the best part of 25 years. Henry belonged to the Henry to belonged of 25 years. part the best House for at Southgate lived daughters and their two son of John Peter the first He was during his time in his parish. of landed wealth members most powerful his After Fields Priory. House and Beighton of Southgate Bruno and Mary (née Ferrers) Martha Bowdon alongside which comprised, and with it an estate Henry, to House passed in 1850, Southgate death father’s Mathilda tenants. Henryfarms and married Henrietta cottages, and, a number of the house and its staff, and Constance. Alice to parents became the couple Blount in 1853, and only a little later (Harriet) way were closely linked to many large and influential British Catholic families. Family values and Christian values Family British Catholic families. and influential many large to linked closely were way est vanus motto the family to and they according in their lives, lived role a superordinate charity played unpretentiousness, attentiveness, of responsibility, the exertion them meant , which for honor sine factis in a colliery they land, shares owned although never ostentious, spirit. Weathy, humility and communal many other Catholic families, and, like objects of value manifold possessed resources, and other natural Cope’). Kempe, the ‘Butler-Bowdon (the Book of Margery treasures church of some notable keepers safe were The family moved to Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire where they are attested since the early 14th the early since attested they are where Derbyshire Chapel-en-le-Frith, to moved The family in where Blackburn, Lancashire, near Pleasington to During the mid-1700s they relocated century. via Whetstone/Wheston Derbyshire, to they moved Eventually with the Butler family. 1841 they merged and Clowne. Fields, Barlborough Beighton to Initially built before 1757, demolished ca. 1786 and rebuilt in 1787, it was the Butler-Bowdon family’s family’s the Butler-Bowdon in 1787, it was 1786 and rebuilt demolished ca. 1757, Initially built before and a living halls, a drawing entrance had two The house, which once about 150 years. for main seat as other amenities of daily as well rooms, and 13 bed and dressing quarters, servants’ kitchens, room, and hotel. survives as a restaurant life, today of a modest, medium-sized English country house. Unlike many houses that of a modest, house. Unlike English country medium-sized or affluent metropolitans for residences primarily summer or week-end were inhabited. continually industrialists, it was HENRY BOWDON – TALES FROM THE LIFE OF A DERBYSHIRE COUNTRY SQUIRE COUNTRY DERBYSHIRE A OF LIFE THE FROM TALES – BOWDON HENRY 28 HIDDEN VOICES THE LEICESTER COFFEE AND COCOA HOUSE COMPANY LIMITED 31

EASTGATES COFFEE HOUSE, EASTGATES, LEICESTER EASTGATES, HOUSE, COFFEE EASTGATES “The success of the company, however, is primarily attributable to the to is primarily attributable however, of the company, “The success and gables half-timbered include the elegant features Architectural Coffee Eastgates the former restoration, an extensive Following is the imposing Leicester in Another survivor House era of the Coffee at a total erected It was the architect. was Burgess Edward again Once with stone style, carved in Stanton Renaissance Designed in French finally Limited House Company and Cocoa Coffee The Leicester Derek Seaton Society Leicester Group, The Victorian recognition of the public, and especially by the working classes, of a great classes, of a great the working of the public, and especially by recognition not classes would that the working sure social want. may be quite We attention and every up, kept well were houses unless they the patronise their comfort”. paid to was on Sparrowe’s found be those to similar to windows Ipswich bay attractive floor is a modern ground in Ipswich. The arched house 16th century which resembled original design work of the architect’s re-arrangement cupola adorns this covered at Newark. A lead Palace the Coffee building. remarkable on 2 June 2011. classification II listed Grade acquired House, deservedly, Cruise, a designer clothes store. by occupied It is currently and most was the largest This Street. House in Granby Coffee Victoria in which year was built in 1887, the houses and coffee of the town’s palatial its hence celebrated, was reign the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria’s name. prestigious and Son, being John Cornelius Kellett of almost £25,000, the builders cost by performed was The opening ceremony Leicester. 24½ Asylum Street, 1888. 20 December the Duchess of Rutland on Thursday Coffee the Victorian Abbey in Whitland slates, covered roof a conical 1993. building on 4 August II listed House deservedly a Grade became San Carlo. restaurant at the Italian with diners a popular venue It is now in 1922 but in its time the movement scene the local from disappeared social need within the locality. an important fulfilled or email [email protected] www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk Visit The success of the company, The success of is primarily attributable however, public of the the recognition to the working and, especially social want. classes, of a great HIGHCROSS COFFEE HOUSE, HIGH STREET, LEICESTER HIGH STREET, HOUSE, COFFEE HIGHCROSS This pleasing red brick building, dressed with white masonry with white and brick building, dressed red This pleasing Gate and Church on the angle of Eastgates the other end of High Street, At Clark and David John Oliver were the Eastgates for The building contractors formally opened on Monday 15 June 1885 was House Coffee The Eastgates said, Lady John Manners Opening the establishment to-day Leicester to in coming possible pleasure the greatest felt “I have was opened in 1877, and in December – house – the Granby coffee “The first It was formally opened on Monday 16 December 1878 as the Highcross 1878 as the Highcross opened on Monday 16 December formally It was VICTORIA COFFEE HOUSE, GRANBY STREET, LEICESTER STREET, GRANBY HOUSE, COFFEE VICTORIA Coffee House at a well-attended meeting presided over by the Reverend Reverend by the over presided meeting well-attended at a House Coffee School. One of Boys’ Hospital of Wyggeston James Went MA, Headmaster in which room bagatelle the inclusion of “a was of the building the attractions and dominoes will be provided.” chess, draughts on 27 September status II listed Grade accorded was a turret, by surmounted and is now, a metamorphosis house has undergone coffee 1993. The former Wetherspoon. J.D. by house owned a free The High Cross, ironically, by Edward designed House, again Coffee Eastgates the magnificent stands similar to which are characteristics certain building contains The Burgess. at Newark-on-Trent, Palace Coffee Ossington in the famous those incorporated Nottinghamshire. as being “upwards recorded was and the cost Leicester Street, 9 Willow Garrett, room, a coffee was floor there of fittings”. On the ground of £4,000 exclusive on the situated were rooms dining and second-class first-class whilst excellent floor. first of Rutland. These central of the Duke the sister-in-law Lady John Manners, by men and women, working for facilities providing in addition to premises, and lawyers which included doctors, affluent clientele a more also attracted environment. free an alcohol- who preferred their wives House, which, I Coffee of opening the Eastgates the ceremony assist at to since Leicester of this kind that has been opened in is the twelfth understand, 1877”. October, £7,439. of which was opened, the income houses were three year of the following to had increased opened, when the income were houses more In 1879 three gradually and the system established houses were more £12,811. In 1880 two 12 houses in the are the opening of this house, there by until now, increased £24,523”. which is now from derived the income town, d 2 / d 1 2 / 1 ) ) ) 1d ) ) ) 2d ) ) ) ) 1 BY DEREK SEATON BY d and 2d 2 / 1

Biscuit ) Boiled Egg Bun ) ) Roll Cheese Cake Twist Pie Pork Roll Sausauge Ham Sandwich Pudding College Ham of Plate Corned 2d and 1d of Plate Beef Corned Beef Sandwich half basin, 1d half basin, d each, or 9 for 1s 9 for or d each, ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 1d ) ) ) ) ) ) 2 at reduced rates rates at reduced / 1 1 GENERAL PRICE LIST GENERAL Ginger Ale, per bottle, 1d Ginger Lime Juice, per bottle, 1d Lime Juice, Ginger Beer, per bottle, 1d per Beer, Ginger Cigars, 2d each; or 7 for 1s; or 7 for 2d each; Cigars, Lemonade Splits, per bottle, 1d Lemonade Soda Water Splits, per bottle, 1d Soda Water Soup from 11 until 2 – per basin, 2d; 11 until 2 – per basin, Soup from Tea, Coffee and Cocoa sold out-door, sold out-door, and Cocoa Coffee Tea, Soda and Milk, per glass, 1 small cup small cup It is important to point out that most of the Leicester Coffee Houses Coffee point out that most of the Leicester to It is important are, remain. There house buildings of the original coffee few Sadly, Street and Highcross of High Street The splendid building on the corner Following the building of the Leicester branch of the Young Men’s Men’s of the Young branch the building of the Leicester Following Coffee of Cup Coffee, French Chocolate of Cup Tea of Cup Superior Tea, Milk Glass of Potatoes of Plate Hot Sausages and Butter Roll and Cheese Roll Cake Lunch ) Custard Scone Scotch were the work of the Leicester-born architect Edward Burgess. A member Burgess. Edward architect of the Leicester-born the work were the to also the architect born in 1847. He was he was family, of a Quaker number of his very and a school buildings impressive School Board Leicester this day. to landscape still adorn our urban us of survived which have remind to examples wonderful three however, and the Leicester in houses here of the coffee architecture the magnificent associated with which they were benevolent ideals which had been house. The premises, as a coffee its life did not begin meat store” as a “butcher’s Society Co-operative the Leicester by occupied the from purchased 1878), were 21 December Advertiser (Leicester alterations £2,600 and underwent extensive for of the Society directors Burgess. Edward by Christian Association in 1903, at the end of Granby Street, the ground-floor the ground-floor Street, 1903, at the end of Granby Christian Association in House and Cocoa Coffee the Leicester by owned was Windsor Cafe in also advertised was available list of food The company’s Limited. Company Almanack. Spencer’s THE WEST BRIDGE THE WEST BRIDGE the WEST Near NORTHERN THE GREAT NORTHERN the GREAT Opposite STATION, RAILWAY ROAD BELGRAVE THE COBDEN ROAD Corner of HUMBERSTONE STREET and COBDEN MARGARET'S THE ST. CHURCH GATE, Corner of LOWER Church St. Margaret's near THE VICTORIA the opposite STREET, GRANBY Office Post General THE PAVILION open during PARK, VICTORIA summer months

By 1889 thirteen coffee houses operated in Leicester. The list of Leicester. in houses operated coffee 1889 thirteen By The movement which originated in Dundee in 1853, by pioneering pioneering in Dundee in 1853, by originated which The movement Coffee houses were not new, of course, having flourished in larger towns towns having flourished in larger course, of not new, were houses Coffee One hundred and forty years ago a new benevolent ago years and forty One hundred THE GRANBY P.O. General near STREET GRANBY THE RUTLAND and Corner of WHARF STREET ROAD HUMBERSTONE THE HIGHCROSS and Corner of HIGH STREET STREET HIGH CROSS THE MIDLAND CAMPBELL STREET, Station Railway near THE EASTGATES the Clock Tower Near THE WELFORD Corner of MARLBOROUGH STREET WELFORD ROAD and WELFORD THE ALBERT Corner of GATE, BELGRAVE STREET NEW PARLIAMENT

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Cocoa House Company Limited Company House Cocoa The Leicester Coffee and Coffee Leicester The premises, all of which were open from 5.00 am to 11.00 pm daily, 11.00 pm daily, 5.00 am to open from all of which were premises, Almanack 1889 as follows: Leicester Illustrated Spencer’s in appeared Temperance philanthropists, spread rapidly and resulted in the and resulted rapidly spread philanthropists, Temperance Limited House Company and Cocoa Coffee the Leicester of formation on 25 July 1877. and cities from the eighteenth century. They functioned as defacto offices: offices: as defacto They functioned century. the eighteenth and cities from the middling classes. for social spaces, as of business, as well as places consumption in duties in the 1820s saw coffee and reduction prices Falling in the 1840s and reduced further were and coffee triple. Duties on both tea buy to work, began their lunch to of taking 1850s. Working men, instead both a challenge this presented Movement the Temperance For hot meals. house or chop the pub, to an alternative provide to and an opportunity: in an and refreshment buy food men could working beer shop where environment. alcohol-free organisation was founded in Leicester. Readers may be Readers Leicester. in founded was organisation House Coffee of the origins of the know to interested upon have to which it was and the impact movement to In order people in the town. of working-class the lives and beerhouses, inns, taverns of the abundance combat drinking heavy by caused social problems and the resultant houses, where of coffee England, the concept in Victorian their friends, and meet relax could and women men working born. was THE LEICESTER COFFEE AND COCOA HOUSE COMPANY LIMITED COMPANY HOUSE COCOA AND COFFEE LEICESTER THE 30 www.eastmidlandshistory.org.uk

32