Jill Sparrow

Different addiction, same result!

The shop was owned by Eric Towlson and I remember it well from my childhood. Before Eric, his father ran the shop which was originally on the corner of Bobbers Mill and Alfreton Road. It was well remembered by my mother from her own childhood. Eric's wife was a teacher and their daughter was at Peveril with my older sister.

There seems to be an increasing desire on the part of some people to apply today's laws and standards to the events and situations of the past. It can't be done. Times change. They will change again as the pendulum swings in the opposite direction. I am reminded of, I think it was Hogarth's depiction of Gin Lane, where a mother is so inebriated that her infant is falling, unheeded, to the ground. I don't think it would be too difficult these days to spot groups of young women so intoxicated that they can't stand up. It's just history repeating itself in a slightly different way. As

That was a real trip down memory lane!

I believe it was also much warmer than electric light, or so I've heard said.

Absolutely, Rog. I can't imagine what they'd say if they could see how its all turned out! Well, actually, I can. They'd wish they hadn't bothered!

Only a matter of time before folk start emptying their chamber pots out of the bedroom window again because they've bunged up their ensuite loo with disposable nappies and we all have to trot about with nosegays (!)...bet that's not pc...because of the smell!

That's interesting, NBL. It can't have been a lack of gas because the house was originally gas lit, no electricity, although I think it was installed in the early 30s. Some of those ranges were beautiful...works of art. I'd love one, even if it meant lots of Zebo and elbow grease!

Bet you don't like ironing either, NBL. We had a flat iron when I was a child. It had been my grandmother's and it lived in the plate warming section of the fireplace, above the oven. A beautiful contraption that was. Cast iron with red glazed tiles and brass studs/handles. However, it wasn't the original fireplace. When my mother was a child, there was a cast iron range in that room, although grandma never used it for cooking. The house was built in 1921 ish, so I was quite surprised it was kitted out with a coal fired range. Dropped the flat iron on my foot once. Fort

Chatting with Mrs Denshaw this morning at Wethers in Bulwell, she mentioned that Susan Barrantes, mother of Sarah Ferguson, was born in Bramcote! A quick trawl reveals she was born Susan Mary Wright, the daughter of a FitzHerbert- Wright in Bramcote Hills. The family (descended, presumably bar sinister, from Stuart lineage, hence the Fitz prefix,) owned Stapleford Hall, demolished in 1935, before she was born. Anyone know any more? Just curious.

He might also be mentioned in mine....if there's space!

I'm still trying to get my head round how Bulwell has changed since I knew it in the 70s. As I've been chipping tiles off the bathroom wall this afternoon, a clearer picture of how things were appeared in my head. I remember Steggles, the butchers, who also sold pastries, Austin Reed, the newsagents, the dress shop whose name I can't remember, opposite the Coop, now Wetherspoons, an electrical shop..Mick Godfrey? ...don't know where that name came from, another ladies dress shop, TSB, Ford's, famous for liberty bodices, and a lot of other places. Bulwell High Road is confusing me b

Sounds like you've been through the wringer...see associated thread!

On the run from the outlaws, FLY?

Mangles were dangerous and in those blissful pre elf & safety years, there were no guards fitted, just your mum making sure you didn't go anywhere near the rollers. Mine watched me like a hawk but I still managed to fall into the fire and burnt my elbow when she removed the fireguard to put more coal on!

That's me! 10% human, 90% cat! There were a few old Toms in Wethers this morning...not on my table, of course!

Also remember visiting the building in Great Ayton where Cook went to school and the tiny church where he was baptised and some of his family are buried. The church, now a museum, I believe, is lit by candles only. A great sense of the past inside is almost tangible.

We also had a Qualcast lawn mower, Loppy!

He's shy, Loppy! But I can confirm he does exist. I've met him, in the flesh and he has two legs. Amazing we haven't pulled at least one of em off! He walked me back to the car park like a true gent...probably to make sure I didn't nick anything! Brought his store detecting photos, too!

He left us before the photo shoot, KJ. Places to go, people to meet and knowledge to add to his astounding command of Notts history! There should be many more like him!

Yes, the Potash mine at Boulby. One of the most dangerous mines in England, so I heard. Remember standing in the car park of the Ellerby Hotel and looking into the distance where the mine could be seen. The Ellerby was a favourite place for lunch. Beautiful area. Loved it.

Yes, I remember visiting the Cook museum at Marton when it first opened many years ago. Whitby was, for some years, my second home. I did my teacher training in that area. Fascinating character, James Cook. Sadly met a gruesome end!

I should have been behind that menu with Ben! Got my eyes closed again! What was your shutter speed, Rog? Needs to be at least 1/1000 to catch me awake!

Just got back from a most enjoyable breakfast meeting at Bulwell Wetherspoons with his holiness the Dalai chulla, Plantfit, Bubblewrap, denshaw and his lady wife and....our Ben, dressed to kill and, probably, with liberty bodice. Very pleasant smoked salmon, cream cheese and rocket bagel plus coffee. Poor old Bulwell, eh? Not been on Main Street since 1988. Hardly recognised it. Otherwise, a very enjoyable discussion about times gone by!

I find it offensive that the indigenous peoples ate James Cook, a hardworking lad from Staithes in North Yorkshire. Can we sue?