fogrider

My father was in Brussels on that night, he told me it was the most incredible thing he would ever witness. All the lights were back on, plus searchlights, neon lights, fireworks , music, dancing , bonfires and wild parties. I got the impression he enjoyed it !

Great views of the City, what a pleasure , the Theatre Royal looks beautiful, really will have to have a trip to the City , when ?

I have a great memory of Neville King, the Minstrels were on at the Theatre Royal one night, early seventies. He was invited down the fire brigade bar on Shakespeare Street. He turned up after the show, walking into our bar in a "Columbo" style coat and large suitcase. Walked silently to the small stage and sat down, opened the case and brought out the dummy. We were all silent , knowing nothing about this: Dummy is looking at us, after a while Neville asks the dummy , " What do you think of all these fireman , Norman ? "

I can't find the Notty Ash post referred to, but near to me is Alan Marshall, the Humber collection. He is selling his cars, now's your chance ! I think shipping to you would put you off though. I have a Commer with the Blue Riband in it, gobbled so much juice I converted it to LPG . His cars are for sale on ebay but internet searches will bring stuff up aswell. Regards all

Thanks Willow, that clears that up and I can have a look for old maps etc now

Just reading the references to Hooleys, the City Fire Brigade bought 2 Triumph motorbikes from Hooleys in 1961, from the previous posts, Derby Rd seems to be all cars, the only reference to motorbikes is Greyfriargate, so did Hooleys sell motorbikes from a different shop than Derby Road ?, can anyone clear this up, ie where did Hooleys sell motorbikes from in the sixties ? Regards all

Thanks both, I do remember Ron Spencer, he was a Station Officer at Central in my last memory of him, organising the change over from the old Commer ET to the new Leland Mastiff. Lenton Times, here I come...…….

Trogg, that photo of the AFS men and equipment in front of a gasometer, it's weird but I was given a copy of that 2 weeks ago. I was told it was in Coventry, you don't state a location for that , is it Nottingham ? Regards, Terry

There was a fire at Boots' Island street factory in the very early seventies. One of their 'men in white coats' was very protective of a certain part of the building, clearly off limits. It turned out to be their research into steroids . What the chemicals were, unknown, but the cabs had a very strong sweet smell for a full week after.

I first went into that amazing one at Markham Moor in 1965 whilst working on the A1 upgrade. I remember the boss telling me how special it was. As an 18 year old I didn't give a s**t about it - I'm now very pleased to say it's a listed building. The one at Redhill was a regular stop when getting back to Nottingham from "up North". In their latter days we stopped using them, poor service, poor value. Anyone remember Myra's Major café at Carlton on Trent ? My favourite truckers café, Very interesting post, thanks.

Really interesting photo's, I didn't show any interest in the castle for the few years I lived in the City, a weekend visit in 2020 on the cards ! Regards all…..

The above posts are really interesting info to an old trainspotter, thanks all. If anyone wants a current steam experience, North Yorks railway have webcams at Grosmont and Goathland. I love watching (and hearing) the loco's climb Goathland bank, 1/49, don't have to leave the house either ! Winter timetable a bit slim but there are Santa specials on the weekends....

Great views of the City, good to see. On the 1952 aerial photo, there appears to be a turntable in the south east corner of the station, I wasn't aware of that, do the railway buffs know more ? Regards all…..

How a bicycle is made : Just watched the above film on Talking Pictures, shows the entire process of making a 'bike at the Raleigh works in the late 40's. Amazing. Forge work, hardening, machining, brazing, endless display of a British factory making everything from scratch. The man hours and number of personnel involved incredible. Glory days !

You've reminded me of a new years eve party I went to at that club, around 1969. Invited by the owner of Queensland Carpets who I'd done a sign writing job on his new shop up St Anns Wells road (I think ). A friendly and happy night. Great memory.

It's what YOU leave on the line !, There are still many carriages whose toilets dump the contents straight onto the track. If you "dump" in the station, the contents are for all to see !. Very unpleasant, its' just a decorum thing. Last time we went to London on the train, the crew locked the toilet doors just before we entered the platforms to stop folks using them.

Mod or rocker ?

I worked there at the same time, late '67 to April '68. in the warehouse, Ted Randall was my immediate boss. It was him who advised me to join the City Fire Brigade. Great advice ! I seem to recall Tomorrows World coming to film demountable things Jardine Dobsons had designed.

Great to see something from Ian123 , the real world strikes again !

This is a bit late, but Nottingham WAS a Police fire Brigade back from the early part of the 19th century. The Chief Constable being responsible for the running of the brigade. That ended in 1941 when the National fire service was formed. I get there in the end...….

Well, I'm humbled. I've just been looking for the photo of the Overseas Column in Centrals yard (didn't find it ) and saw this post. In reality, the small number of people abusing the site is minimal in relation to the lovely and interesting people who make this site so interesting . So, spat over, back to great memories of Nottingham and it's life. Regards all.....

May I remind members that this site was set up by someone at his OWN EXPENSE and in his own time, is maintained at his own expense in his own time to explore and take pleasure from the history of the city and it's people, the heritage, the memories .It is not a juke box on free play. Bickering , unpleasantries and frivolous nonsense that should be on facebook or twitter should not be on here mis-using this wonderful resource. Please respect our generous host ! Here goes, I'm pressing the reply button and heading for the fall-out shelter …………...

As a relatively new member, and having left the City in 1975, I don't know anyone on here (as many seem to do ) so it's the old photo's that bring memories of the City alive, that's what nostalgia is, isn't it ?

Yes, Mary, I did watch the "student" video and I did think some of it did seem rather superficial. When I joined the City Brigade early 1968, there was still huge areas of the old housing, centred around Alfred Street, went to quite a few house fires in the area, as well as in the Meadows, they were very poor people in poor conditions. Having grown up in poverty in a Yorkshire village where our 'house' had no running water, no electricity, no proper toilet - I had knowledge of poor conditions ! Comparing my life now with how I grew up, it WAS tragic, the difference appears to be in the so

I went to a fire in Forests' ground, not the really big one, it was in the seating area at the West end (city end), all under those wooden seats was piles of fag packets, newspapers, crisp packets etc etc, a fag end dropped down there was taken as the cause. Once the wooden seat frames got going, that was it. I was told the big fire was the same, but can't be certain.