benjamin1945 15,493 Posted January 1 Report Share Posted January 1 On 10/18/2015 at 7:41 PM, taxi ray said: I am surprised that nothing has been built on the site, it looks so desolate now. A date has been announced and building on the site of Padstow school commences later this year......with new houses... I am surprised that only 3 of us on here seem to originate from Old Bestwood estate.....also i seem to be the only one thats ex Padstow..... I must admit i get too sentimental about the old school and Bestwood in general....so much so that my happy memories (probably a bit Rose tinted'') tend daft enough... to make me sad when i venture up there now........ With this in mind i thought i would record on here something about the old school and larger site that needs recording for 'Posterity'' before its completely forgotten (if its not already)....... Our first school football pitch about 1950 was a couple of hundred yards from where Padstow stood next to 'Henry Whipple school'' and it was called the ''Camp Pitch''........i can only guess as i have heard nothing for sure that its name originated either from a 'POW' or Army camp''.......Perhaps @dj360 Col can help.....also adjacent to the Camp pitch were some concrete bunkers which i was told when i was about 5 (1950) that they were the remains of an ''Anti-Aircraft'' site.......these were quiet extensive and went underground a few feet.. and as kids we enjoyed exploring........obviously something was demolished near abouts as the Camp Pitch'' was very dangerous with pieces of concrete..Glass..and bricks just half under the surface......wouldn't be allowed today...and we certainly wouldnt slide on our Knees after scoring a goal...........sorry for the long post but had to do it dont want it all forgot............. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 9,949 Posted January 1 Author Report Share Posted January 1 No problem with 'long' posts if they're interesting ! And if you remember owt else, let us know. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 9,949 Posted January 1 Author Report Share Posted January 1 I don't think this has been posted before (the clarity is a bit dodgy), but it shows several features which Ben mentioned. Gainsford Crescent curves in at the bottom. Several schools are shown but not named. There are two disused military campsites - one on the left and one on the right - and a 'Gunsite' in the top right corner. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trogg 1,739 Posted January 1 Report Share Posted January 1 The School on the left is Henry Whipple Infants School, in the middle is the Junior School and the one on the right is the wooden hut which has been mention before, I never had any knowledge of it being a School only knew it as a Community Centre. But I am sure Ben can tell us more. But it is a great map. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 15,493 Posted January 1 Report Share Posted January 1 The one on the right Trogg was a nursery school in my school years...later became a Community centre.. Straight opposite this across the road was where the main Huts (school) was.......from memory 6 huts... This was my first school.....even recall some of the teachers names Hut 1/ Mrs Taylor Hut 3/ Mrs Jervis Hut 5/ Miss Blackborn...... Headmistress Mrs Townsend We even had a school 'Pianist'' Mrs Gernill......lovely lady......... Funny what you recall. even from 1950.....Miss Blackborn must have liked me.......she gave me an American forces Bible....bet that could tell a tale.......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 9,949 Posted January 1 Author Report Share Posted January 1 Now you mentioned it, I missed the buildings across the road. This shows the 6 huts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 15,493 Posted January 1 Report Share Posted January 1 Thanks Kev......that map answers my Query ref Army Camp and Anti Aircraft Gun site.........roughly in the middle of the map is a long oblong shape with what looks like Trees......they are still there... and with it being high up can be seen for miles...i hear there is a movement for them to be kept in Situ'' when the building is complete........... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FatGandalf 2 Posted March 7 Report Share Posted March 7 Hi all. Just wanted to say I’ve just spent a happy hour reading all the messages on this post. I was a Reymede Close boy until my Dad died when I was 5 and we moved on to Top Valley a few years later (1978 Ish) but I loved my time in Bestwood and at Henry Whipple. The smell of the dinner block still sits with me today and is one of the few smells that brings genuine happiness. Regarding the railway tunnel to Hucknall Road I remember going to the fishing shop that used to be next to there on the right as you walked down to get his maggots. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,227 Posted March 7 Report Share Posted March 7 Hello and welcome FatGandalf, keeping dipping in and enjoying Nottstalgia Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 9,949 Posted March 7 Author Report Share Posted March 7 1 hour ago, FatGandalf said: Hi all. Just wanted to say I’ve just spent a happy hour reading all the messages on this post. That's the kind of comment which justifies the existence of Nottstalgia. Those of us who've been here seemingly for ever sometimes forget that a random 'stranger' will come along and be fascinated by an old thread which will spark all kinds of memories for them. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 4,272 Posted March 7 Report Share Posted March 7 Heyup FatGandalf and a warm welcome to Nottstalgia. Don't forget to share some of your memories and always remember, if you need any info someone will always oblige. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David sheridan 157 Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 Use to live on Denewood crescent early 1970b, went to that school at the top of Denewood, players I think can't remember , but remember it was the year racehorse Persian war ridden by jockey Jimmy uttley won the champion hurdle , I was horse racing mad in them days , all started watching me Dad on a saturday cursing at some horse because it got beat by a whisker , Got caught at school I was sitting at the back but instead of concentrating on English lessons, I was perusing tomorrow's runners and rider in the nottingham evening post , they had a tipster called Donovans selections I remember it well , and the clip around the ear from the english teacher too ! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 15,493 Posted Friday at 10:33 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 10:33 AM Believe it or not when Bestwood estate was built in mostly the late 30s every front garden was planted with a blossom tree.....and by the time i was growing up they had matured and in the Spring it was a wonderful site just to walk down the street,,,,,,, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 9,949 Posted Friday at 11:09 AM Author Report Share Posted Friday at 11:09 AM I was around Clifton a couple of weeks ago and noticed how many large mature trees there are now; far more than when I was living there in the 1960s. It's become a surprisingly green place. Everything that was planted in the 50s and 60s has grown and become established. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 4,272 Posted Friday at 11:29 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 11:29 AM @benjamin1945, nice picture Ben. That's one of things I remember about driving up Aspley Lane when the Cherry Blossom was out. A wonderful mass of pink and when it was windy, as it always was then, you'd be driving on a carpet of pink. Very pleasant scent too. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
katyjay 4,984 Posted Friday at 01:42 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 01:42 PM Bells Lane Estate was planted with blossom trees, but every 5 or 6 houses apart. We had a flowering plum, opposite was almond and 5 doors up was a horse chestnut. All gone now. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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