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Soon after starting school at William Crane a trip was arranged to take a pleasure flight in a Dakota operated by Derby Aviation. It was only to Skegness and back but it was our first flying experience and I’ve just found a report I wrote for the school magazine. It was dated 7th April 1960 and the aircraft reg. was G-AMSW. I just researched this aircraft on the internet and was astonished to learn the same aircraft crashed on a mountain at Canigou, France on 7th October 1961 killing all 34 on board. In this 75th DDay anniversary year I discovered the same aircraft was produced

Growing up in the 1950s The Cocked Hat area provided endless fun for local kids. Playing cowboys and Indians, hide and seek, climbing the wall and swinging on the pub sign, PDSA van comings and goings and watching beer barrel delivery from the chute and ogling the boozers through the window. Great outside area in summer. Those were the days!

Been a Beatles fan all my life, ever since hearing ‘Love Me Do’ on Radio Luxembourg in October 1962. I have all original LP’s and massive collection of books including signed copies of all Paul McCartneys-I met him at every one! As time goes on it’s hard to relate how massive their influence was on the music and culture of the world, just to witness the attendance of all ages at a McCartney concert is amazing, still performing at 76 despite criticism of his croaky voice. On the sleevenotes of 1964 ‘Beatles For Sale’ LP it said: the kids of AD 2000 will draw from the music much the sa

On the 50th anniversary of The Beatles White Album release this month I vaguely remember buying it on the release date. I think the store I bought it from was on the corner of Thurland Street in town, now occupied by the Zara fashion store. There were obviously lots of record shops in Nottingham in the past, can anyone remember their names and whereabouts?

Memories..I too started with a Garelli Monaco scooter, then a BSA A7, eventually buying a new Norton Commando. I used too hang out at the Hart, I rode a 250cc NSU at the time-tearing up the Boulevard. I am still a keen biker at 71, regular in Matlock on my Kawasaki ZZR1400 and also ride my 1990 ZZR1100 (recently restored). We had a bike club in the 60s based at the Ashley Methodist youth club called the 77.

Are there any active bikers on this forum? I still ride my ZZR1400 Kawasaki and enjoy Matlock Bath rideouts on dry days. I also own a 1990 ZZR1100 which has just had a full restore and can’t wait to ride again after being garaged 12 years. I would like to post photos but finding this format difficult, any help appreciated.

Kids with ‘winter warmers’- tin cans stuffed with rags, holes punched in the side. A longish wire fastened to it then set alight. Swung around vigorously making a huge roar. Great fun in the day but not recommended in the health and safety era!

Redfearns pop was great with fish ‘n chips from Hadlums chippy on Broxtowe Lane. My Mum served there late 1950s-early 60s. Tizer was nice too!

Bulwell was traditionally a decent market town when I married and moved there from Aspley estate. Two golf courses, a Lido in summer, great countryside and park, nature reserve, pubs and quality shops like Steggles butchers, Wheels watches, Lukes shoes, Barry Austin, Fords and Woolworths. I remember the buses from the market to Raleigh, Boots and the pits when decent employment was at a premium. Unfortunately the powers that be decide to move people from the slum clearance areas to the western fringe of the city and pressure mounted on the economic prospects of Bulwel

A British Superbike rider Trevor Nation had NATION number plate-whole surname.

I worked at Raleigh for about 18 months in early ‘70s on exports, mainly putting nuts and washers on wheels. Boring but good craic and stopgap before going in the building trade. When that slumped late 70s went down the pit. When the pits finished guess what..went back to Raleigh, which had changed unbelievably.

Spacewalker by Jerry L. Ross

The days are getting longer, Spring is nearly sprung and the familiar chimes of the ice-cream vans are starting to appear. Growing up in the 1950's we enjoyed many seasonal delights but the thing I loved the most was the home-made ice-cream van which toured the Broxtowe/Aspley estates in the summer. Thing is- I can't recall the name of the vendor but think it was made in Commercial Road Bulwell. Can anyone help? Also, where is the the best locally made ice-cream these days? Roll on summer.

Just reading the book `Spacewalker' by the astronaut Jerry Ross, who went into space seven times and held the record for the most space walks for a long time (7). I was fortunate to meet him at a conference at Eastwood Hall in 2004 and in his book he mentions seeing the worlds first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1 fly over on October 4th 1957. I also remember as a 10 year old standing in my neighbours garden and at the appointed time seeing this piece of space history fly over. All my life I've remained fascinated with space and regularly watch the International Space Station fly over and re

75 years ago today, at the height of the Battle of Britain, Squadron Leader Douglas Bader flew into Hucknall to meet Air Vice Marshall Trafford Leigh-Mallory, commander of 12 Group Fighter Command. His purpose was to propose the `Big Wing' tactic to oppose the Luftwaffe with large formations of fighter in the air at the same time. Sadly the airfield has recently ceased to exist and is currently a large housing estate under construction. Many airshows took place at Hucknall from the 1930s on and I was fortunate to attend them 1950s/60s with many great aircraft and aerobatic teams including th