I was born at 86 Moor Street in 1943, and lived there for almost 30 Years. I was one of 5; my older brother Tom and sister Sheila (‘She’ who must be obeyed) and my younger sisters Margaret(Meg) and Susan(Sue). We were poor but happy and many of the people mentioned in these pages were our friends and acquaintances. Previous contributors Martin Gorner, Ivan ‘Pop’ Saunders and Peter Hibbert and his siblings are all fondly remembered. My father was an Iron Founder and my Uncles were Railway fitters, drivers and firemen.
In those days, it was normal to know and respect all your neighbours (though we were often quite mischievous). Our doors were always left open and, when not at school, we played outside from dawn until dark in all weathers. We were often clad in ‘recycled/hand made and knitted/patched clothing and were seen as under nourished but we enjoyed life. We roamed on foot from Forest Town to Sutton Lawns, Pleasley Vale to Rufford Lakes and Kirkby to Cresswell Crags. Later, on a ‘re-cycle’, we travelled to Tamworth, Newark and Nottingham as train-spotters.
My siblings and I followed each other through Moor Lane School and were expected to be as good as Tom(head boy in his time). Our teachers were often tyrannical and punishment in the form of cane, ruler or slipper was accepted without complaint. I had more than my share of all three and totally ruined the high esteem that my brother had enjoyed. The other teachers at Moor Lane are all fondly remembered and Mr Phillips(Butch) remained a friend and mentor for most of my early adult life.
Having failed the Eleven Plus in my favourite subject, I was despatched to High Oakham, a good mile walk through the Brickyard, over the railway, down Bradder Backs, across the River Maun at the Old Byron then through the estate to Nottingham Road and High Oakham. Every weekday; rain, hail snow or blow we trudged to school and woe betide any late-comers! I must have been lucky though, my brother went to QEGS and hated it!
All the places documented so well by Alan Curtis and others are fondly recalled, as are the teachers, who moulded us into the citizens we became. Other teachers of my era included Dagger Dagnall (Science and Physics), Killer Keaton (Maths and Games), Slipper Martin(English and Drama) and ‘Mister’ Saunders (Woodwork) (E & OE). I was in the same class as Alan’s Brother in Law, Alan Allsop and Ivan Sanders and managed to stay in the ‘A’ Stream until leaving, despite spending a good deal of time standing at Mr Barke’s and Miss Weddle’s doors!
I left High Oakham to pursue my birthright as an apprentice electrician at Rufford Colliery, but left to join the RAF in 1961. In 1970, though by now a globe-trotter, I was ensnared by my wife June (Nee Beastall) on a trip ‘home’ to Mansfield. We still travel to Mansfield every Christmas and stay for a few days with June’s relatives. There’s nowt so fine as a Mansfield lass…………..I just had to say that! 29 years service and 3 grown-up sons later, I moved to AWE in Berkshire and became an I.T. Manager until my retirement to Fareham in 2008.
The Bleakhills were never bleak………….and the trains ……….. aahhh, the memories…….!
Comments about this page
I have just found a marriage certificate of my grandma’s. Her husband Arthur Raven lived at 117 Moor Street, Mansfield, in the late 1930s.
His Dad was Robert Raven.
I don’t know much about them as grandad got killed down the pit on Easter Sunday 1955
Hi, it’s so lovely to read all these stories (memories).I lived on Princes Street number 88, we must have been healthy
children, being out from dawn to dusk. Brocklehurst, Chadburns, my friends Heather Wood, Jennifer Tag and next door neighbour David Cartwright. Can remember the first day starting Moor Lane school & most of the teacher’s names. I do hope someone writes back, it would make me so happy 😊
Hi Peter, I’m the last one standing from Les & Mabel’s nest. Hope you are safe and well. Richard Pincott
My mum is Heather Marshall, she lived at 60, Moor Street with her sister Christine, and parents Annie and Harry. Mum went to Moor Lane school. Grandad Harry used to go to Brickyard pub.
Hello All
I feel obliged to share this with you. I have just discovered that my father, (Richard Henry Hibbert) was a POW of the Japanese. I believe he was taken after the fall of Singapore. This information is all derived from the British Army records. He was a sergeant in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.
The reason for my shock is that up to now I believed what he had told all of his children, and that was that he was stationed in Prestatyn, Wales training soldiers. I feel so guilty that he never spoke a word about his time during the war.
I do know that his generation were the finest ever and many of the ex-soldiers never spoke of their experiences. We will never see the like of them again.
Peter Hibbert
Brenda Needham, if it is Peter Endersby, that you are looking for, he is a contributor to this site so might see this comment. Are you any relation to Philip and Peter Needham?
Hello all. It has gone very quiet on the site. Does anyone remember Robert (Bob) Fawcett? he was a great footballer and joined the police force after school. He lived on Princes Street.
John (Mack) Hardy? John was a very keen cycle road racer and he lived on the street that went from Princes Street up to the Brickyard.
They both attended Brunts Grammar School after Moor Lane.
These two blokes were great guys and I really had a lot of respect for them.
Richard, this is Carole Trapp. We lived at 34 Moor Street.
Brenda Happy New Year. I am Richard Hughes and for the life of me l cannot remember you. Does Freddie Needham ring a bell??
Looking for Pete Hendesby or Richard Hughes from Moor Street 1960s.
Sorry Pete I’m looking for Pete Endesby
Hello. I am writing this on behalf of my Mum. She lived in Moor Street, no. 5 (I think she was born there) 1937. Her name was Irene Thorpe then and she had 3 brothers Jack, Albert and Len and also a sister Theresa. Her mother was called Amy. Tomorrow we are taking her back to Mansfield to take a walk down Moor Street. Does anyone remember this family? Many thanks.
Hello Brenda,
I haven’t visited this site for quite a while and I am wondering if it is me to whom you are addressing your message. I most certainly remember all the names you mentioned. My oh My I should visit this site more often.
Peter
Pete do you remember me and Fred used to go about with you, John and Mick Richardson, Colin Pie, Mick Tomset , Jack Bradshaw and your lovely mum who would make us welcome at your house.
I lived at 70 Moor street from 1947 to 1967. Keith Turner (brother) and Rita, Eileen, June and Sharon. We lived across from the Richardson’s and close to Heather and Christine Marshall, Chadburns and Parsons. I delivered meat for the Co-op butchers and papers from the paper shop opposite the Salvation Army. Went to Moor Lane and High Latham schools
Can anybody remember Vera Povey, may have been Ceney, she was raised on Moor Street, her mother was Hilda and sisters Stella, Mary and Linda. She used to tell me stories of going to the Palais to dance, she was born in 1937?
I can recall my first Bonfire night when living at 126 Moor St, I would be around 4-5 and a bonfire was built in the empty lot between the terrace house and in front of the stone cottages, where several families, including the Fells lived. Of course there was the effigy of Guy Fawkes placed on top and lots of fire works being lit. A week or so before lighting the bonfire a number of kids would be throwing what ever wood we could find onto the pile, making “winter warmers” out of tin cans and twirling them around to keep the flames going.
In around 1953-54 we moved to 116 Brick Kiln Lane and had bonfires on the back garden. Dad would set of fireworks, Mum made bonfire toffee and we would throw potatoes at the foot of the bonfire and pull them out when blackened . Those bonfire nights lasted until 1956 when we emigrated to Canada.
In 1959 we moved back and lived with my Grandma Price at 140 Moor street. There were no bonfires that I can recall on the street, there was however lots of “competition” for “penny for the guy”. My sister , Margaret and me would make our guy about 2 weeks before Bonfire night and go down to the bus stop on Sutton Road.. we collected enough to buy our own fireworks. I think some people did make a bonfire on the tip and perhaps we threw our Guy Fawkes on those.. does any one recall???
The next day a number of chaps went out looking for the spent skyrockets, especially the 1 shilling and higher, so we could make arrows from the sticks. Many landed in the school yard and the sports field, other were found on the tip.
The night before Bonfire night it was not unusual to see a “gang” of lads going around the streets getting up to some form of mischief.. nothing destructive just being boys. Lifting the gates off the hinges, knocking on doors and running like hell and other forms of pranks.
I hope others who lived in the area at around the same time or earlier can recall the “old” bonfire nights.. I understand it is not the same anymore.
Enjoy Guy Fawkes night
Regards
Mike
Hello fellow Moor Streeters and others who contribute to the memories of the area.
Well Fall is arriving here in Canada especially the area I live in.. which is called Porcupine, winds blowing leaves off trees and the days are getting shorter. This brought back memories of the nights and days spent around the “tip” and the streets between Moor Lane and Bradder street region. Some of them were going around and climbing the gas lamp posts, there were some on Moor Street. My sister , Margaret, who went to Rosemary, were talking about potatoe picking week a few weeks back, does any one recall going to the farms in around 1960 ???
Yes Bill I think many of us will never forget Mr Phillips or any of the other teachers at either of the Moor Lane Schools. You mentioned playing cricket in the playground, we occasionally played it and I do recall that in 1959-60 Moor Lane had a cricket team, I can envision a chap named John Robertson, who I chummed around with for awhile , making one fantastic 1 handed catch that surely must have been put in the annuls or Moor Lane sports. And Bill the Saturday morning rush at the Empire was the start of what was always a great weekend, does anyone recall the name of the fellow who was the MC there… I recall getting a birthday card that let you in to the pictures on your Birth day free..a great treat.
Martin Gomer, you described so vividly what many of us who lived in the area did almost every weekend in the summer and fall, just being adventurous and enjoying the “freedom” we had to roam around.
As always nice to read the stories,
Regards
Mike Frost
Having only just read your entry, Richard Hughes, I agree, what a small world but not small enough for us to have knowingly encountered each other. We may have come close in March 1961, however, assuming that you did your “square bashing” at Bridgnorth. You might have just arrived as I was leaving but you may well have been somewhat preoccupied with listening intently to the nice friendly Corporals whose only aim in life, it seemed initially, was to instill fear and terror into us but in actual fact did a good job turning civilian teenagers into efficient smart airmen. Regarding Gulf Air, on the two occasions that I lived in Bahrain (as a RAF dependant) in ’55/6 and ’60/’61, I remember it’s original incarnation, Gulf Aviation, which flew Doves and Herons. My Father was on 1417 Flight which became 152 Squadron. Mike Frost, thankyou very much for your comments, what a pity such freedom and sense of adventure is not enjoyed by today’s children. After leaving Moor St. in 1950 to live on the new Council estate at the top of Westfield Lane, when not out playing with new found friends (sometimes all day until it got dark, with meal breaks of course, or to hide in the house from someone devoid of a sense of humour that we may have upset ) I would walk for many miles usually down Penniment or Water Lanes to Pleasley or beyond round Pleasley Vale, or in the opposite direction to arrive at Teversall and return through Skegby without causing my Mother any worry as occasionally someone would have seen me to report back to her that I was fine.
Thank You Both
Martin Gorner
Oh what memories. I went to Moor Lane School in the 50s about 1957 after which I went to High Oakham. Loved my time at Moor Lane. Me and my friends use to play cricket in the playground every lunch time break and we were noticed playing by teachers and the school formed a cricket side and we played three matches against other schools and won all three. Sadly the side only played for one season.
Anyone remember Mr Phillips?
I now live in Macclesfield, Cheshire but still regard myself as a Mansfield lad. I also remember the tanner rush on Saturday mornings at the Empire watching the Thunder Riders and the big films each week.
First of all l would to say hello to Fred Newton, l think we were in the same class at Moor Lane? Miss Stokes class.
Enders are you still monitoring the site?
Martin what a small world. I do not remember you but our tracks through life have been similar. I joined the R.A.F. March 1961. I served 5 years. I then went into the airlines. My second airline was Gulf Air Bahrain. I lived and worked there for nearly 19 years.
Dave Camm, l can vaguely remember the name, you may have been a couple of years younger than me. Norman Scott and myself were the same age. I think you left Moor Street about 1950/51? When l was 7 or 8 yrs old. Is that right?
By Richard Hughes
Hello Peter Endersby, I’ve been looking at this website and contributing to it since possibly late 2011 and have only very occasionally found names that I know. Then today I find one that not only do I know but also knew personally, yours. What a pleasant surprise it was to see your name and your entry and what memories it, and the subsequent entries, has evoked. There are names that I had forgotten but now seem familiar, such as Hibbert, whether I actually knew Peter I’m not sure but the surname is familiar. Mrs Asher, too, and Mrs Turner. I used to play with Michael Tomsett and, although not mentioned, Michael Binch and Alan Morton, who lived roughly opposite us. The name Richardson was mentioned too, was there a Martin Richardson? I seem to remember someone of that name who came to Broomhill School and I’m sure he used to live in the Moor Street area.
The places mentioned also bring back many memories although being very young and not very, to put it simply, streetwise, I didn’t venture far from Moor Street on my own. I used to go with my Granddad to Hermitage Fields where I would catch sticklebacks in the Maun. Cruel on reflection, as I would bring one or two home where they would eventually die, maybe of boredom, in the jamjar. My Mother and I also used to go to Hermitage Fields, and the reservoir, either via Sutton Road or, preferably over the railway bridge near Bradder Street and along Cinderella Walk past the engine sheds, over Sheepbridge Lane and then, if we were going beyond Hermitage Fields, down Hermitage Lane to get to the reservoir over the Great Central Railway bridge and the Midland level crossings, or, as we knew them then, the LNER and the LMS.
We left Moor Street in February 1950 to move to a council house on Westfield Lane where we stayed until 1955 when we moved to Bahrain, returning to Mansfield, and Moor Street in June 1956 until February 1957. Then it was another move, this time to Cambridgeshire where in March 1958 I met my wife to be. I came back to Moor Street in September 1960 to join the RAF which, like you, I did in January 1961. I can’t remember, we didn’t join at the same time did we?
Tirza,
I’m not sure that I met your mother, I just used to arrive at their backyard and play with Ellis. Oh how I envied him his wonderful cowboy suit.
Polly was a wonderful lady. We used to bounce balls up against her house wall and it must have been horrendous inside the house but I’m not aware of any complaints though she was fully entitled to make them.
I thoroughly enjoy reading this site. I realise that we as a family were not particularly well known (My father was an ex RSM and was quite strict with us). He worked at Rufford colliery, Birds the butchers and for a little while for my Uncle Gordon who owned a small hosiery manufacturer called Maun Industries.
Peter
I have added a new page, Marsdens of Moor Street, showing photos of the shop inside and out from the early 1930s. Hope they are of interest. My Grandad, Wilfred Morley, was the shop manager at that time and my father Eric and his sister Joan (married name West) lived above the shop. My Grandmother was Mary known as Polly (nee Andrews – Sprittlehouse).
Peter,
That is my mother, Betty, that went to live in America (Ohio). Her son is my older brother, Ellis. I will ask him about the cowboy suit tomorrow when I see him. I asked my mother about you but she said, she doesn’t remember the name, maybe another day she will.
Tirza,
I remember that one of Polly’s daughters went to live in America. I well remember her visiting Polly and I met her son. He had a wonderful cowboy suit which I envied greatly. I used to play with him during his visit.
Peter
My mother lived at 55 Moor Street, Polly Towers was my Nana. My mother, Betty Towers. She had 2 brothers, Bernard and Barry, two sisters Beryl and Barbara. I was just talking with her this evening about the name of the school she attended. She remember both Moor Lane and High Oakham. She is 93. I was so glad I decided to look the schools up and came across the Memories of Moor Street. Thanks for this, tears came to my eyes when you talked about Polly Towers.
Peter
I have just discovered that my birth place (67 Moor Street) is on the market. I saw some photographs of the inside and I cannot believe that my mother and father successfully raised 6 children there. How the heck they did it I have no idea!!!
Peter
Hello Richard Hughes, I sure can remember you. I doubt if you can recognise the name but can you remember a little boy in the next yard 34 Moor Street? He always wanted to play with the big boys.There was you, Terry Cheeseman, Michael & Larry Wheat. On our side Mrs Lager and daughter Jean, Mr & Mrs Scott and their sons Stuart and Norman. Also John and Steve Hatton on the next terrace up. The name of Shiggy Biggs has been mentioned in other articles his name is Keith Biggs a really good footballer in his day I worked with Keith for over 25 years at Maun Industries. Dave Camm.
Hello Fred, Mike and Peter and of course Alan. We share many of the same memories. Richard Hughes and I became life long mates and together with my sister and brother, have managed to recall many names from 1938 through to 1948.
I have compiled a spreadsheet of the names recalled but there are far too many to publish even if they wished to be remembered, and some of them might not! If you have an interest in the spreadsheet, please ask the editors to forward your email address to me and we’ll take it from there.
As this is the first time l have been on the site I opened the page referring to Moor Street, aaah what did l see, lots of Endersbys. How we forget. I remember a John Hibbert who may have on the opposite side to you Pete. Their house backed onto the Avenue? And was approx half way between the Richardsons and the Tomsetts.
The pond on the Hayfield was called the Cocoa Pond, there was a second pond in a depression adjacent when proceeding toward the top end of the Hayfield as you approached the railway lines.
There were some odd/unusual nicknames for people. Oufer Steel, his parents had a little shop just down from the Motorbody on Victoria Street. Shiggy Biggs ( an older boy) who lived a couple doors away from Jack Bradshaw on lower Moor Street. There was a bloke from Bradder Street l think, who had a white streak through his hair who was called Pearod. There was a family called Richardson on Victoria Street. They had a number of children some of whom l can recall. John who used to chase us up and down the back yards on dark Autumn nights. George who didn’t have all his marbles and another brother who l saw fight on Titchfield Park against a lad from Carter Lane or Ravensdale area. The police had a tip off and intervened before there was an outcome. That was probably 1959/60.
Re the photograph Pete, your dad is just how l remembered him.
Hello to all who remember me, Richard Hughes who lived at 36 Moor Street.,
I remember Peter Endersby and Richard Hughes, went to Moor Lane with them, I was born on Princes St No 1A next to round shop. I think I was in scouts with Richard and John Childs.
Richard, albeit that I may be a little older, it maybe that I enjoyed the area just before the generations of the above. A time when the Brick Yard pond was completely a treacherous area for all residents of the area. The Cocoa Pond was so named from it’s discoloration of the water from the red clay that had been taken, (possibly for use by the Brickyard Kilns). Thus the water resembling a pond of Cocoa. The Cocoa pond was fed from two small springs, one either side of the pond, and the remaining clay underneath forming a basin for the fresh spring water to be held in the pond. It must have been the same in your time that the frogs loved the fresh water, no matter what colour, the clay had turned the water, for it was always a breeding ground for frogs. The second indentation that had been excavated, was for exactly the same reason, clay. The clay must not have been as deep as the Cocoa, for the small valley that had been dug out, only held water after it had rained heavy. There was another excavation the other end of the Hayfield, to the rear of Victoria Terrace and the Brickyard Club. Although, if the truth was known, the fronts of Victoria Terrace houses faced the Hayfield, and the backs faced the Brickyard. Enjoyed reading the memories of the area, I relived every one of them.
Hello Richard
Oh how I remember “Shiggy Biggs”, the name at least. Now I think you have got it wrong because you naming names has re-awakened some for me. The Tomsetts lived next door to the Ashes at the top end of the avenue and the Richardsons lived at the bottom end next door to Polly Towers. Now the Richardsons were a big family and were considered to be the rogues of the avenue. I believe they all turned out OK though in the end and were decent kids as they grew up. I think Michael Tomset went on to be a Chartered Surveyor (I think he went to QEGS for boys).
No idea of a John Hibbert, Richard, we lived with the avenue at our back garden so I think the family you are thinking of is mine (we were a big family of 6 children)
I do remember “Dirty Dick”. He was a mentally retarded man and wore a black and red striped jumper. He was cruelly ridiculed by all us kids and he frightened us. There was also a shop next door to the fish and chip shop at the junction of Moor Street and Victoria street. It was almost bare inside but you could buy one Park Drive and one match for a penny and a salmon paste jar of lemonade for a penny also.
Peter
Peter: You were probably one of the “older” lads that played football etc on the hayfield with us “younger ones” I would be around 11 at that time. You may have known my cousin Marlene, she lived with my Grandma at the top end as well. I recall the name Owen. Also I have cousins named Doughty, but I do not think they are related as far as I know. One of my other cousins does live on Victoria St. I do remember Divitos. there was a girl called Sandra, she had blonde hair. We had a few dances at the teen dances at the Brick Yard club. My experience with the gypsies was having a can of red paint dumped over me, Mum was not impressed and did “go after them”. Gosh what is stored in the grey cells and brought forwarded.
Cheers Mike
Mike, We must have met at sometime, if only fleetingly. Strange how sections of Moor Street tended to stay around in our little “sector” and didn’t really venture to either the upper part or the lower part except when travelling to the various “playgrounds” around at that time. All very parochial I suppose. I used to play with the son of the Owen family who lived on Princes Street (He had an amazing collection of dinky toys being the “only one”). I think he is a dentist now. Oh how I envied him being the only child. I’m afraid that I had issues with being a part of such a large family. The Doughty family lived two doors down and I used to go there to play with their son and even had tea many times, I thought they were posh people. When I think about it (and I’m not proud of the fact) that I sought the company of “nice” kids as opposed to being one of six in a sometimes chaotic household.
I loved my parents immensely and still wonder how they managed to raise 6 children on my father’s income, to my mind an amazing feat. My parents just doggedly carried on, uncomplaining with life providing for their family as best as they were able. They were amazing people. I remember one time we were going out in Dad’s van (a Bradford Jowett) and I played up, threw a tantrum, simply because I didn’t want to go out with the entire tribe. This is turning out to be a confessional!!
My uncle Gordon owned Maun Industries and him and Auntie Jessie used to stand Mansfield Market over many years. The factory was an old chapel on Bridge Street and they made hosiery, ladies underwear etc. My sister Maureen used to stand the stall with them. He actually built a splendid house on Oak Tree Lane where we used to go during Christmas for dinner. They had a beautiful daughter Colleen and I think she took the business over after her parents death, a lovely family. Ah well, that’s my lot for now, feeling a little ashamed at my confessional but the truth is the truth eh. Peter
Hello Peter, I also lived on Moor Street, first at No 126, a gentleman named Stafford took Dad, Mum, me and my sister in as lodgers, it would have been about 1950. We lived there until about 1953 when we moved to 116 Brickhill Lane. From there we went to Canada. In 1959 we moved back to Moor St and lived with my Grandma Price at No 140, that was between the Turners and the Reases, so we were at the top end. I chummed around with a lad called Ivor Wakefield for several years. I believe a couple of the lower end of the street lads did come up to our end. It appears as we have the common background, went to Moor Lane, infants and junior, some to High Oakham, played on the hayfield, the playground in the brickyard area, probably went to the teen dances at the Brickyard, travelled every back lane, and field between Sutton and the rail yards. I bet we may have all met at sometime or another. The “caves”, were they the ones in the embankment next to the works at the top end of Moor Lane ?? that is were we played “commandos” and if I recall there was a large tree leaning out from another embankment that had a swing on it ?
As mentioned, you will never forget the memories of Mansfield. I am hoping to come back this year, perhaps celebrate my 68th birthday there with stroll down Moor Street.
Keep these stories coming
Mike
Peter, I don’t remember anyone being “out of bounds”. I do remember quite vividly that Sunday was a “no play” day and we were dressed up in out finest clothes on Sunday, made to sit in the front room reading encyclopedias. On many ocassions my Dad took us on a walk usually up to Berry Hill Lane and and back. I’m pretty sure that he showed us what was alleged to be Little John’s grave up there but not sure. Funnily enough, our house was tiny and certainly over populated but we were never allowed in the front room except on Sunday.
My parents bought an Austin 10 (HOH 987), our very first car. Boy, that was exciting. We would mostly pick my Mother up from Chapel on a Sunday afternoon and drive to Matlock, all on a Sunday evening. Not sure how far Matlock is but it was always daylight when we arrived and when we left, great times were had. Picnics in Clumber Park. Our first holiday in the car was a fortnight in Skegness. The planning of the route by my father was a major initiative, with tea stops, toilet stops all planned and scheduled. It’s only 80 miles but it was a major undertaking in those days.
Oh how the memories come back to me. I’m quite sure it wasn’t all as idyllic as I remember but I’m quite content to leave it as I remember it.
We called pretty much all of my mother’s friends “Auntie” and I remember Auntie Connie (Warrener) who lived next door. She played the piano and we all often sat on the backdoor step listening to her playing. A lovely lady.
Then there was Auntie Joyce (Uncle Harry, her husband worked at a local textile mill) next door but one, they later moved to a brand new, very posh bugalow up Skerry Hill (?) I think it was. I can’t tell you the house numbers because I can’t remember which way they went on the street.
I also remeber Mrs Asher further up the street (she was also an Auntie but her first name eludes me), she used to take us in to her house when mother had to do something or go somewhere. The Davitos lived next door to the Ashers and I think the Marshalls lived on her other side.
It was the men that intrigued and frightened me. They were all very silent types, sitting in their specific seat by the fire and never said a word, to me anyways. They were very insular.
When we bought our first television (a big Pye model in a massive cabinet) that was something else. No-one but no-one was allowed to switch it off or on, only my father. On Saturday night, we would all congregate on the carpet with a cushion each and given an orange each. my father also had a Mars Bar because mother said it was to keep him fit to go to work.
We watched the Groves Family, Dixon of Dock Green, the Dave King Show with Alma Cogan (my father’s favourite), In Town Tonight.
The TV was kept on all day even though only cricket was on which no-one cared about watching but it stayed on. Peter
Peter – There was a massive council tip at the top of Victoria street. We had to cross over it to get to the Hayfields. I remember playing amongst silvery fibres which now I know to be very dangerous and of course lots of asbestos. Gypsies use to camp on the right hand side next to some very large allotments, they always were decent people, we played with the kids when we met up on the “tip”, can’t remember there ever being problems with them. They sold their clothes pegs etc and just asked for water, occasionally.
Also, I well remember what I now know to be a Sikh man selling men’s ties, braces, handkerchiefs from his little briefcase. He would go from house to house, unbothered by everyone. We also had to shovel a ton of coal dumped in the avenue at the rear of the house and were always told it needs to all be in the coal shed before Dad gets home, and we did it!! Pete
Peter
No, I’m sorry my memory doesn’t stretch to those nails. I feel so bad at not remembering you, I really do! As for my siblings, they have all departed this world I’m afraid, I am the only one left. Like most families, we all had our ups and downs. I left the UK in 1965 and went to South Africa with my brother Gordon. I returned to Mansfield about 1969. Strangely enough I found that I didn’t have anything in common with my old friends, no common ground and so I went back to work in Angola. From there on I have pretty much been away and my overseas jaunts include 15 years living in Houston, Texas. I’ve spent the last 4 years in the Far East and only returned to hang my hat up in the UK October last year. It was amazing that while in Jakarta I met two “Mansfield Lads” and they both still have a home in Mansfield and it was extraordinary the amount of affection they have for Mansfield. The conversations we had in the pub was the old times, who we knew etc etc. it was heartwarming and very entertaining. They were great company! I suppose it is your roots that define you and mine are most certainly Mansfield roots.
Peter
Hello Peter, The railway bridge was across Sheepbridge Lane and the wall we walked across was about a foot wide and ten yards long. I think the man in the signal box had several strokes in the 50s! You may also remember the pairs of nails banged into the taller trees on the hermitage to enable us to conquer the heights and fix the ropes to swing across the river in various places. My regards to Gordon? and Maureen? P.S. Not surprised you don’t remember me; most of the neighbour’s parents made me ‘out of bounds’!
Hello Alan
More than likely we have met but it would certainly have been as children. You are so right and now I remember the Hermitage. It was a wonderful facility for picnics and great fun. We used to walk there by crossing the railway bridge at the Brickyard and then following a small pathway. I do remember at some point we would cross over a road walking on the very edge of a second railway bridge, frightening when I now think about it but we were oblivious to any danger at that age. We were never really naughty, except I do remember scrumping one day in an orchard with the consequent, well deserved tummy ache. There was also a small pond at the top of the Hayfield and we built caves up there. I had a brilliant childhood.
One memory is of Street “fights” between Moor Street and Bradder Street and these were held in a gennel between the street parellel to Moor and the next street (the one on which the Co-Op store was). They weren’t fights at all but just bravado and a lot of shouting. We (the Moor Street people) always held that Bradder Street was populated by “thugs and thieves” which of course was wrong.
I also remember Polly Towers who lived in the end terrace house just by what was Marsdens grocery store. Poor old Polly must have suffered greatly because we bounced tennis balls on the side of her house and it must have been very uncomfortable for her. She never complained, that I know of anyways.
Peter
Peter
I am so sorry but I don’t remember you. We lived at 67 Moor Street and we were a big family (6 children) but I have to agree with you that we were poor but incredibly happy. I well remember roaming around all day with my Parents having no idea where we were or indeed what we were up to. In fact, we would leave home in the morning and not return until early evening having been given some sandwiches by Mam!
Saturday morning pictures at the Empire are a vivid memory, we were each given one shilling, sixpence to get in and sixpence to spend.
Yes, I have very fond memories of my childhood but unfortunately I can’t recall the names of many people. I was born in 1944. Mr. Phillips actually lived on Helmsley Road in Rainworth and we moved there when I was about 11, if I remember correctly.
I attended Brunts after my 11 plus but never enjoyed that school. The teachers all wore their academic gowns and stank of chalk.
Dear all, I could spend hours writing about my childhood and enjoy every minute of it. What I truly enjoy is when someone mentions something such as the “Brickyard” and memories come in floods. Wonderful!
The Brickyard was a mysterious place and I always wondered just, who lived in the houses that adjoined it and also the Hayfield. We spent hours and hours there and also what was called “Lady ?? Something Dam”. We swam there in what now seem to be glorious summers. There was an island in the centre and to swim to that was a great achievement. Sat in big rubber inner tubes, with sandwiches provided by our mother. I think she was happy to see our bottoms go down the back garden so she could have some peace and quiet.
As for Moor Lane school I have to say that I truly loved every day spent there. The teachers may have been tyrannical, by today’s standards for sure, but they instilled discipline and that was a good thing.
Thank you to all who send messages to this site. I am now 70 years of age and often wonder about the people, families etc and what happened to them.
I now remember “Lady Bower Dam”?
Peter
Hello Peter, Coming from the Brickyard area, I guess our paths must have crossed at some time. I believe that the dam you are thinking of is the Hermitage Dam. In actual fact there were two Dams at the Hermitage, side by side. Both were created to power the old Matlock Mill from the river Maun. Like you, I too swam in both dams as a young whippersnapper. Although not very deep, I also visited the island in the middle of the first dam. It was a man made island to accomodate the wild life such as Coots and Water Hens. It was made up of stones with reeds and trees planted for safe breeding of the birds.” Bird Nesting ” was quite a pastime back in my day. I don’t think you would have walked to Ladybower Dam. Easy mistake. Alan
Lovely story Peter. My ears pricked up when I read your wife’s name….June Beastall, I thought ‘I know that name’, she’s my cousin!
And you are correct in saying ‘there’s nowt so fine as a Mansfield lass’. I look for excuses to visit my birthplace, and love reading the stories which people post on this site…..keep it up I say.
I went to Chesterfield Rd Tech with a Tom Endersby in the 50s, would this be your brother Tom??? We were all NCB Apprentices and Tom was at Rufford Colliery!!
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