The Engineer

Demolition resumed this week. They have closed Bath Street off this time.

Update on the Emett Clock. Had an email from Vic Centre to say there had been some blue smoke and blown fuse for the small motor that drives the clock faces (same motor also initiates the chiming and performances). They suspected a resistor and were asking me where I sourced the one that was fitted. I told them it was the original part. I offered to go in and have a look, saying there is also a capacitor in the motor circuit (not sure they were aware of that as it is a bit hidden). By arrangement I went in this afternoon and decided best course of action was for me t

I can concur. I am viewing on an Android phone. I have had to select 'Desktop site' since they changed the format a few years ago. I saved it as a bookmark (in Chrome browser) so that it always opens the desktop site.

Forgotten Dreams by Cyril Stapleton, born in Mapperley https://youtu.be/Te_Zt0qFLIM

Spotted this while browsing their website: Family History Drop-in Sessions Back by popular demand, these sessions are free and on the first Thursday of every month 10am to 12pm at St. Ann’s Valley Library. Want to find out about your ancestry but don’t know where to start? Want some tips on where to look next? Then come along and talk to experts at our free drop-in sessions. All welcome, Nottingham ancestors not essential!

@The Pianoman Nottingham City Libraries website says all computers have accessible USB drive to save your work. I have downloaded JPEGs of census returns in the past. From the website just now: Nottingham City Libraries have Windows 10 computers with access to: Internet Scanning Printing in colour, black & white, A4 and A3 (charges apply) if you are not a member you can print from your own device at some of our libraries Microsoft Office 2016 applications An access

Demolition started late last year. I thought they had paused for a Christmas/New Year break but I see now (from those photos and also as I pass there weekly) that they have removed all the rubble from the part that has gone, together with all the demolition equipment. Hard to tell what's occurring. They put full-height scaffolding up on part of the front (Brook Street, where reception was) and part of the rear (Bath Street, Official Mail Vehicles entrance) before demolition started. I've not figured out reason for that.

The first remote controls were wired, then they brought out ultrasonic ones. You could change channel by jangling a set of keys (accidentally or on purpose to annoy someone!)

My dad worked for DER (Domestic Electric Rentals) from mid-1960s onwards as a TV repair technician, having been trained by Rediffusion a few years before. He would carry three or four spare sets in his Anglia/Escort/Fiesta estate car so that if on-site repair was taking too long he could leave a good one and take the faulty one back to the guys in the workshop (in Bulwell at first and later in Broad Marsh). I think they were told to leave a slightly upmarket one (i.e. bigger) to try to get customers to upgrade (more rent!) DER was owned by Thorn and was later joined by Radio Rent

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/gallery/30-pictures-looking-back-life-2694281

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/gallery/59-pictures-life-sherwood-over-3734823

Another factory that was actually on Morley Avenue was Fewkes Lace Embroidery (previously Charles Farmer Lace) https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/history/life-fewkes-last-lace-factory-173053#amp-readmore-target

I recall an engineering manufacturing works, Claude B Barton, at top of Mapperley Rise, between Morley Avenue and Woodborough Road. It was demolished and a block of flats was built there. Companies House shows the company as dissolved with officers having been Mr John Dalton Barton and Mrs Sandra Jean Barton, both appointed in 1992.

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/gallery/take-look-woodborough-road-city-3217668

I recalled seeing this video before. Okay if you don't mind the late Dennis McCarthy of Radio Nottingham fame back in the day.

Probably referenced here before but noticed this when browsing https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/history/gallery/see-fascinating-photos-trolleybuses-ruled-1656750.amp

The site at Dorket Head has survived and is thriving; currently owned by Ibstock (referenced in that blog).

A blog about East Midlands brickworks. This link details Mapperley and Porchester works. https://eastmidlandsnamedbricks.blogspot.com/2016/05/nottingham-brickworks-part-1-mapperley.html

History of Haywood Road and surrounds https://haywoodroad.uk/our-local-history

I asked the General Manager of Vic Centre if they were aware (someone shared the Facebook post with me before it went viral). He said they (management) had spent most of Monday dealing with it, supplying police with CCTV, etc. I guess it would be classed as theft, though had they worn wellies it might have been 'going equipped'.

The former Parcel Sorting Office between Bath St and Brook St (mentioned earlier in this thread) is now undergoing demolition. They started a couple of weeks ago. I'd say about 15-20% is done so far. Stood watching them this morning: there is something fascinating about destruction! As built (late 1960s) it was called PSO (Parcel Sorting Office) and was fitted out with various automated conveyors and bespoke sorting machines. During rationalisation in later years, some other PSOs around the country closed. Nottingham was retained and became a PCO (Parcel Concentration Office).

Unlikely to get coarse mixed up with fine but the one to beware of is Whit (BSW) vs. UNC. Both coarse threads, mostly same pitch (so they may appear to fit). However, Whit is 55 degree thread angle whereas UNC is 60 degree. The different head size (so different spanner required - Whit vs. AF) is one way to differentiate.

3rd time... I appeared on Notts TV (live from studio with my granddaughter) and BBC East Midlands in June 2015 (same topic). Still some way to go to amount to 15 minutes of fame though!

https://www.itv.com/news/central/2022-11-09/in-pictures-50-years-of-nottinghams-victoria-centre

Hadn't seen that article Stu; thank you. I'd prefer to be called a 'Chartered Engineer' (because I am) but at least I get a mention and appear in a photo so mustn't grumble. Despite my input since 2011, the only place you'll find my name is on the concealed electrical control panel (because I affixed a label when I made it in 2012!) It is inaccurate to say I had a hand in shortlisting the butterfly designs - I was shown three and asked for my view (I did however concur that the winner was the best of those three).