Multi-coloured history is about to come alive
HERITAGE PROJECT SHINES LIGHT ON MUCH-LOVED HOMES
PEOPLE living in some of the oldest houses in Nottingham say they love being in the historic area of the city.
The homes – on Promenade, Robin Hood Terrace and Campbell Grove in St Ann’s – are the focus of a new book and a heritage project being run by Nottingham City Homes (NCH).
The homes, some still privately owned while others are owned by Nottingham City Council, were built in the late 1850s to meet the demand for housing during the city’s lace trade boom.
In 1973, they were officially designated as a General Improvement Area, which saved them from being demolished.
The houses, near Victoria Park, are rare surviving examples of goodquality working-class Victorian housing. They are Grade Ii-listed on account of their historic interest and architectural value.
The multi-coloured homes along Promenade are very well known in the city and, according to residents, there is a lot to like about living in them.
Alan Phelan, 43, who has lived there for the past two and a half years, said: “I like it a lot – it’s been especially great during lockdown, having the park so close.
“You can definitely tell they’re 160 years old, though. We’ve had problems with leaks, and the walls are absolutely paper thin. When we first moved in, our neighbour yawned and my wife went and made me a coffee. But it’s as good as you can ask for here. “People are always stopping to take pictures of the house, or the garden, and stop to have a chat. There’s a real sense of community here, we know people on this street and over on other streets as well.”
Jess Rae, 26, who has only lived there two months, said: “The people living here before us have done an incredible job of taking care of the house.
“I suppose my favourite thing about living here is the community. We came from the city centre before where it was a lot of students and people didn’t really know each other. “You didn’t get the sense of community you do here. People here are so nice, we have a Whatsapp group and all look out for each other. “People often stand outside and take pictures – which took some getting used to. It’s nice having the park right there. My friends will sometimes text me and say ‘I’m in the park’ so I can nip out and see them.”
NCH and specialist contractors recently carried out restoration and
You can definitely tell they’re 160 years old. But it’s as good as you can ask for here
Alan Phelan
renovation work to 16 of the houses, and this sparked a renewed interest.
A successful bid was then made to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a project to celebrate them.
Brian Chalmers, who has lived on Promenade for 45 years, said: “It’s a great area to live.
“Most people look out their front door and see a road. I see a park. It’s very handy for the city centre as well. I love living here.”
And Annie Mohacsi, 23, said: “I love it here – I’m only renting and the house is being bought by someone else soon, but I would happily stay here. It has a bit of everything to be honest. The location is great, we’re so close to the city, we’ve got the park, all the neighbours are lovely.”
NCH would now like to speak to people who live there or have lived there in the past, or who had family members who lived there.
A series of events is being held to introduce the project and urge people to share stories, memories and photographs.
Adrian Cheetham, Director of Property at NCH, said: “We want to make sure the history of these homes is more accessible to others. This project enables the community to explore the history of their own streets and I encourage people to attend the online heritage workshops to help us learn more about the people who have lived here over the years. The work we are doing will all be made public and thanks to lottery players and the Lottery Heritage Fund we have been able to put this programme of events together and publish this new book about the history of these homes and the people who have lived in them over the years.”
Councillor Linda Woodings, city council portfolio holder for planning, housing and heritage, said: “I know this is going to be a fascinating project, not only for people living in the area now, but for anyone with an interest in Nottingham and the city’s history. These homes are able to tell us a lot about our local history, and about the people who lived in these homes over the last 160 years.
“I am pleased we’ve been able to carry out recent restoration work to the historic buildings with our partners NCH. The council still owns and rents many of these homes as much-needed affordable housing and the story of that restoration work is presented in this new book – a Heritage Report for the neighbourhood. I would now encourage anyone who has photos of stories of their time in that area to please get involved with the project.”