philmayfield 6,115 Posted May 18, 2019 Report Share Posted May 18, 2019 I bought my first BMW, a 320, from Frank Sytner at that showroom when he was just starting out in Nottingham. He came from Liverpool where his elder brother Alan used to own the Cavern Club. I think that was before the club’s glory days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,115 Posted May 18, 2019 Report Share Posted May 18, 2019 Frank Sytner was an accomplished racing driver, earning the nickname ‘Fearless’. I’ve been in a car with him on a few occasions and it was quite an experience - even in town. He once had a customer day at the Water Sports Centre and we could hurtle along the road next to the rowing course. That was pre ‘health and safety’! I believe he lives in Monte Carlo now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,507 Posted May 18, 2019 Report Share Posted May 18, 2019 On 5/17/2019 at 6:02 PM, philmayfield said: His son Nick carried on as a car dealer and worked from home at Oxton. He specialised in Merc. G wagons. I can’t find any trace of him now though. 15 years ago he was living in Linby, just along from the Horse and Groom. We were living in Herts at that time and searching for a house to buy in the Nottingham area. We viewed his house but it wasn’t suitable despite us really liking the village. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,115 Posted May 18, 2019 Report Share Posted May 18, 2019 His father, Chick, used to live nearby in Ravenshead. Frank Sytner used to live at the top of Richmond Drive before he moved to Woodborough where he had an enormous garage containing his Aston Martin collection. I don't know if he disposed of them before moving to Monaco, garaging would be expensive there! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Socram 130 Posted May 18, 2019 Report Share Posted May 18, 2019 Last time I saw Frank Sytner (though not to talk to) was on the grid at the Monaco 2012 Historic meeting, where unfortunately, a fluffed start saw someone take off the rear wheel of his car. I managed a photograph of that - but it doesn't belong on a Woodborough Road thread! Frank was good friends with Sir Frank Williams of F1 fame and hosted a great evening with him at his Huntingdon St showroom in town, for the Nottingham Sports Car Club. When Frank Williams lived in Nottingham (Calverton?) he and Frank Sytner were known to hoon around in I think, Austin A40's, and one of them rolled the car in town! as promised, the Lewis Collins photograph. Parked outsider is my Austin Allegro Equipe which I brought to NZ as cars were very expensive in NZ at the time. First car I circuit raced too... I'll post the pic of the Bitter on the 'Foters wiv motors' thread. 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Socram 130 Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 Plains Road looking across the road to Roy Sharpe's garage. Later to be Speed's Volvo dealers and now - flats... I think this was taken in 1966, but the Riley RME heading away would be dated pre 1955 and not sure of the age of the Lea Francis. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paradiddle 145 Posted February 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 Started this thread with an aerial image which has disappeared so I'm going to plonk it in again. Not sure what date it was taken but things have changed and looks like they will continue to. Quite a few on this site including myself, have memories of the church, hopefully happy! I spent a lot of my youth in the schoolroom underneath with the Cubs, Scouts & Senior Scouts. Remember especially the jumble sales, the 'Gang Shows' and of course the lovely Girl Guides. Looks like it's up for sale, will the building stay or will it go, like the pub over the road? The Majestic cinema and the land next door may soon be built on and the big plot on the corner of Winchester street may be next. At least we have a photograph to remind us what it used to be like - that's Nottsalgia for you so thanks to all those that administer and keep this forum going. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,115 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 I was christened in that church in 1943. Never been in since though! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paradiddle 145 Posted February 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 Phil, don't ever recall seeing your 'blue plaque' on the church walls!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,115 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 Must go and screw one on before it’s demolished. It may be grade 2 listed though. I know I am. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 7,599 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 I went to Sunday School in the late 1940s early 50s occasionally. I remember going down the steps at the side to the downstairs room but can't remember anything about the Sunday school lessons! I went to several Sunday services there in my teenage years with friends. Then Paul and I married in 1966 but the frontage of the church was different... no railings. We went to services there on our Ruby and around our Golden Wedding Anniversaries - made special trips up to Nottingham I hate that it's up for sale but churches cost loads of money for their upkeep. The people will find another church to go to, I'm sure. I'll have a look on Rightmove I think Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stuart.C 491 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 12 minutes ago, MargieH said: Then Paul and I married in 1966 but the frontage of the church was different... no railings. There's a ramp to the left of the door behind the railings, so that and the steps across the front will have been added in the last 25 or so years for better access; https://www.google.com/maps/@52.9814701,-1.1275739,3a,75y,9.13h,81.02t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLr5-ClFFdV9N4g13KLofHw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,115 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 That’s two plaques to be screwed on then. Honoured to be in such distinguished company! Perhaps we should form a consortium to buy it. What to do with it though? Can’t make much money out of a church. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,457 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 It's interesting to look at the old b/w aerial photo to notice that, apart from the two brickworks just creeping into the image, not much has changed. That area hasn't suffered from much change or 'progress'. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waddo 921 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 3 hours ago, philmayfield said: Can’t make much money out of a church. Student accommodation, that's the way to go!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,115 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 There’s a catalogue you can download. I think it comes with all the pews. There’s two floors so you could get a lot of students in there if you space out the beds about three feet apart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waddo 921 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 Right then, let's go for it. I don't think there's VAT on student accommodation, we'll be quids in!! Well the landlords down lenton are!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,115 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 It is being sold VAT free. I though about starting one of those dodgy churches where the congregation gives you a tenth of their earnings. Some of those American pastors seem to do very nicely out of it. Not very Christian I appreciate but what the hell! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waddo 921 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 Yep sounds good, can just see it, 'Phil the preacher '!! Got a ring to it me thinks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 7,599 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 Giving a tenth of your income to the church isn't weird.... a Methodist church in a nearby large village has become a Community cafe and is very well used by people in the village and further afield. It was beautifully refurbished, keeping many of the old features. It serves food, has a children's play area, tables and chairs (obviously) and softer seating as well. Many local groups use it for their meetings during the day, and in the evening the backrooms are used for Youth organisations, Pilates, Keep Fit etc during the week. It's not there to make money per se.... but it obviously makes enough to maintain the building and pay the bills. If you ever pass through Cottenham, drop in ---- it's opposite the Co-op, which has a car park only accessed from the back of the Co-op. This isn't 'Nottstalgic' but it's nostalgic for me as it used to be our church. Sorry. I'll shut up now x Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,115 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 Have a look at the catalogue for the Mapperley church. It would be sad to see it broken up for Mammon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stuart.C 491 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 Link for Catalogue, with inside photos; https://www.rightmove.co.uk/propertyMedia/redirect.html?propertyId=88138127&contentId=1939674725&index=0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,115 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 Might become a Mosque like the Watson Fothergill chapel at the bottom of Woodborough Rd. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 7,599 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 £475000 doesn't seem a high purchase price to me, but maybe there are things wrong with the structure .....? I do feel sad that it is being sold, though Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stuart.C 491 Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 It's only got Planning permission for Worship. No guarantee of any other use. But could get multiple bids and the price go higher. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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