Jill Sparrow 10,306 Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 When I visited Berridge in March of this year, I planned to have a walk along Gregory Boulevard to look at the Manning site. I was advised not to do so and certainly not on my own in the interests of personal safety. As WW says, the buildings are still there, albeit scruffier, surrounded by rubbish, parked vehicles and beggars, apparently. Such an awful shame for those of us who remember how it once was. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonab 1,644 Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 A little aside to the thread. When I worked at HATRA (on Gregory Boulevard) the staff decided to go carol singing to collect money for the patients at Ellerslie House hospital which was next door. So, there we were, ten or so of us dressed (as far as we could) like Victorians and complete with a lantern on a pole. Our area was just the other side of Mansfield Road in Mapperley Park. We did a few houses and collected a reasonable amount (after we had explained ourselves). Then we came to a big house (might have been a Fothergill Watson design) and gave an extra special rendition thinking that they would be well off and might encourage a better donation. Anyway, part way through the first carol the front door opened and a man, a woman and two kids appeared with a trolley of hot drinks and asked us to carry on whilst they fed us cakes and hot cocoa. After a few moments I realised that I slightly knew the man to whom we were carolling. He was the Rabbi at the Shakespeare Street Synagogue (who I knew through a friend of a friend). They seemed to appreciate what we were doing and they gave us huge donation (relatively). I can't remember how much now but it was a lot more than all the other donations added together. The Rabbi's name was Rabbi Posen. Anyone have any recollection of him? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 7,600 Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Pleased the Rabbi enjoyed the Carols. Perhaps he just enjoyed the tunes and didn't listen to the words? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,134 Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 I remember speaking to one of our Jewish accountancy clients many years ago saying ‘I don’t suppose you bother about celebrating Christmas?’ ‘Oh yes we do’ he said. I wouldn’t want to disappoint the children!’ 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Reminded me of a teacher who asked the kids, "what does your family do for Christmas?" One of the kids said, "We are Jewish so we don't celebrate Christmas. My dad owns a department store so when it closes on Christmas eve they count the money. Then we all stand around and sing 'What a Friend we have in Jesus,' before we head for the airport to fly to Hawaii." 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,134 Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 My old friend at Netherfield, Graham Read (‘The Cycle King’), was always very busy selling bikes right up to Christmas Eve. As soon as the shop closed he was off with the family to a five star hotel in Harrogate for the holidays. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Bought my first secondhand bike from him. You probably know he started in a little ramshackle shop you could hardly move in there. Always liked him. Down to earth and fair on his prices. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,134 Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Graham’s still with us but getting a bit frail. He’s living in a five star care home in Harrogate (as Graham would!) Beside cycles he was big into buy to let. A mutual friend went up to see him last week and he’s doing OK. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,466 Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Where did the name Gregory come from ? I did a bit of digging around and can't find any obvious explanation. There doesn't seem to have been anyone famous - or wealthy - who had it named after them. No gentry, landowners or ex-Mayors. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,417 Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 St Gregory... Pope Gregory,,,? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,145 Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Gregory Peck! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonab 1,644 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 Regarding the name of the boulevard, someone told me once that there was a Gregorian monastery located in the area. I am unable to verify this and it seems a little bit unlikely considering the lack of any other even vaguely associated indicators of the presence of religious orders there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DAVIDW 1,683 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 13 hours ago, Cliff Ton said: Where did the name Gregory come from ? Like a lot of roads , more than likely named after a Councillor . This one possibly Walter Gregory . It was constructed early 1880s . He died 1888 after 25 years as a councillor . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonab 1,644 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 Just found this: http://www.nottsheritagegateway.org.uk/places/forestfields.htm 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 10,306 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 Wonder what the Gregory family would think of it now? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,134 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 Thanks for your research Jonab. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonab 1,644 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 Pleased to help. It's been at the back of my mind for a long time and this new thread re-sparked my curiosity. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,134 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 I must have travelled along it most days for twenty five years and often wondered about the origin of the name. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,466 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 In one of the photos, the NEP don't mention that the building on the left was the old Police Station. And I'm impressed with what looks like a modified laundry basket. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 10,306 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 I can remember this building. It was demolished and a nondescript flat-roofed structure was built on part of the site which, I believe, was Staddons' bed shop. The police station was a fine building and should have been left standing. The railings were gone by my time, casualties of ww2, no doubt. Next to the police station were public toilets. Occasionally, my mother would use these when caught short whilst out shopping. The cost was 1d and I recall the gleaming brass slots on the doors, along with the aroma of disinfectant dispensed by the lady attendant. Next along was my beloved library and then the clinic. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Pianoman 1,535 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 I wonder how that laundry basket is being propelled? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,145 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 I wonder if the bloke behind the laundry basket is pedalling. It looks like the youngster is sitting with his legs dangling over the front. I might be wrong, I usually am. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Willow wilson 894 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 The old police station with air raid shelter and no railings. Looks like the trees have been pruned too. The new station was a grey concrete building (typical 60s style) with a flat portico. They used to put an illuminated Christmas tree on it for the duration of the season. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,134 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 They have pedal bins so why not pedal laundry baskets? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,466 Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 1 hour ago, The Pianoman said: I wonder how that laundry basket is being propelled? 22 minutes ago, Beekay said: I wonder if the bloke behind the laundry basket is pedalling. It looks like the youngster is sitting with his legs dangling over the front. I might be wrong, I usually am. Could almost be a ventriloquist's dummy. There don't appear to be any feet visible to the rear of the contraption, so I guess the driver is pedalling. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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