Hi Paul. I moved to Rainworth in 1953 when I was 2 years old. The picture house was called the Palace but I remember it as the Regent. When it closed down it was taken over by North Notts Farmers. About 1971 it became the Catholic Club and then in the early eighties it was turned into Potters snooker club. Today the building is still there and is now called The Venue. The tree you mentioned was actually an Elm tree. When it was removed experts claimed it had Dutch Elm disease, but some people just thought that was a ploy to get rid of it. By the way Paul, the Robin Hood pub is still there but it is now a Tesco Express. How times change.
By Pete Higgins (27/02/2021)
I have only a vague recollection of the old toll cottage but do remember the Palace Picture House from the mid 1950’s, when it was still used as a cinema. Later, sometime in the late 60’s/ early 70’s it became a commercial premises – I think it was occupied by Messrs Beard & Freeman, Agricultural Merchants, who had formerly traded on Toothill Lane, Mansfield. It has since seen service as a Bingo Hall but, as I no longer live in the Notts area, I cannot say if the building still exists. But, does anyone remember that beautiful, old oak tree which stood opposite The Robin Hood pub? The tree was chopped down in the 70’s to make way for traffic lights. To my mind it was like ripping out the village’s heart. Where was ‘Swampy’ then?
By Paul Stevenson (25/02/2021)
My dad was just reminiscing about his life in Rainworth. He was born in one of four cottages in the White City, he lived in Westleigh Cottage. If anyone has info on these cottages we’d love to here from you. My grandfather was a game keeper at the time. Grandad then got at job at Rufford Colliery.
Steve Canada
By Steve (02/08/2020)
I went to school in Mansfield 1959-1969 and can clearly recall the Inkpot circa 1960. this would fit in well with refurbishments to the Waterworks in 1958. The Toll house would have been taken down shortly after the alterations.
By john durkin (13/11/2017)
I think you are almost right Alan. I once read an article about Rainworth and if I remember correctly the Mayor of Mansfield ordered the bottom of the houses to be whitewashed so that any dignitaries visiting Mansfield via Rainworth would not be offended by the bare brickwork. Hence the name White City. I’ve lived in Rainworth for 60 years and it has always been known as the White City.
By Pete Higgins (17/10/2014)
The area just East of here was known to us as The White City. Does anyone know why? Its name may come from the “model village” of avenues, built for miners of Rufford Colliery. I seem to remember that the houses there had white pebble dash walls. Books on Industrial Archaeology in Notts consider the model village to be significant. It greatly resembles the Avenues in Forest Town, also built by the colliery owners as improved housing for the miners.
By Alan Mellors (16/10/2014)
It’s likely to be around 1952-53. It seems the stone from the Inkpot ‘Tollhouse’ was transported and used in the refurbishment/adaption of Epperstone Manor when the county constabulary bought it in 1953. As for the location, it’s a little further down into Rainworth, the site is car wash yard now, it was previously a petrol Station and then a used car pitch. The Scots Pine in the old picture is still there today.
By Berisford Jones (10/08/2012)
Does anyone know when the Ink pot was demolished ?
By Steve (01/08/2012)
I think you are right John. My mum used to work there as an usherette in the late 50s and I am certain it was called the Regent.I was a regular on a Saturday morning. After it closed down she then went to work at the Granada cinema in Mansfield.
By Pete Higgins (02/05/2012)
I think the picture house was called the Regent in the 50’s when I used to go there as a boy on Saturday mornings.
By John Walker (29/04/2012)
Picture taken looking down at the Robin Hood public house in Rainworth, on the left is the gatehoue to the water works and the large white building is the old Palace Picture House
By michael wilson (17/02/2012)
The large white building -PALACE- I am sure this is where I went on saturday mornings for the ‘kids show’ films and cartoons (late fifties early sixties)- good times !
Comments about this page
Hi Paul. I moved to Rainworth in 1953 when I was 2 years old.
The picture house was called the Palace but I remember it as the Regent. When it closed down it was taken over by North Notts Farmers. About 1971 it became the Catholic Club and then in the early eighties it was turned into Potters snooker club. Today the building is still there and is now called The Venue. The tree you mentioned was actually an Elm tree. When it was removed experts claimed it had Dutch Elm disease, but some people just thought that was a ploy to get rid of it.
By the way Paul, the Robin Hood pub is still there but it is now a Tesco Express. How times change.
I have only a vague recollection of the old toll cottage but do remember the Palace Picture House from the mid 1950’s, when it was still used as a cinema. Later, sometime in the late 60’s/ early 70’s it became a commercial premises – I think it was occupied by Messrs Beard & Freeman, Agricultural Merchants, who had formerly traded on Toothill Lane, Mansfield. It has since seen service as a Bingo Hall but, as I no longer live in the Notts area, I cannot say if the building still exists.
But, does anyone remember that beautiful, old oak tree which stood opposite The Robin Hood pub? The tree was chopped down in the 70’s to make way for traffic lights. To my mind it was like ripping out the village’s heart. Where was ‘Swampy’ then?
My dad was just reminiscing about his life in Rainworth. He was born in one of four cottages in the White City, he lived in Westleigh Cottage.
If anyone has info on these cottages we’d love to here from you. My grandfather was a game keeper at the time. Grandad then got at job at Rufford Colliery.
Steve
Canada
I went to school in Mansfield 1959-1969 and can clearly recall the Inkpot circa 1960. this would fit in well with refurbishments to the Waterworks in 1958. The Toll house would have been taken down shortly after the alterations.
I think you are almost right Alan. I once read an article about Rainworth and if I remember correctly the Mayor of Mansfield ordered the bottom of the houses to be whitewashed so that any dignitaries visiting Mansfield via Rainworth would not be offended by the bare brickwork. Hence the name White City. I’ve lived in Rainworth for 60 years and it has always been known as the White City.
The area just East of here was known to us as The White City. Does anyone know why? Its name may come from the “model village” of avenues, built for miners of Rufford Colliery. I seem to remember that the houses there had white pebble dash walls. Books on Industrial Archaeology in Notts consider the model village to be significant. It greatly resembles the Avenues in Forest Town, also built by the colliery owners as improved housing for the miners.
It’s likely to be around 1952-53. It seems the stone from the Inkpot ‘Tollhouse’ was transported and used in the refurbishment/adaption of Epperstone Manor when the county constabulary bought it in 1953. As for the location, it’s a little further down into Rainworth, the site is car wash yard now, it was previously a petrol Station and then a used car pitch. The Scots Pine in the old picture is still there today.
Does anyone know when the Ink pot was demolished ?
I think you are right John. My mum used to work there as an usherette in the late 50s and I am certain it was called the Regent.I was a regular on a Saturday morning. After it closed down she then went to work at the Granada cinema in Mansfield.
I think the picture house was called the Regent in the 50’s when I used to go there as a boy on Saturday mornings.
Picture taken looking down at the Robin Hood public house in Rainworth, on the left is the gatehoue to the water works and the large white building is the old Palace Picture House
The large white building -PALACE- I am sure this is where I went on saturday mornings for the ‘kids show’ films and cartoons (late fifties early sixties)- good times !
Add a comment about this page