How well do you know your Ilkeston? Test your local knowledge with this quiz compiled by local historian Danny Corns 1. What and where were the Pearly Gates? 2. Why was The Seven Oaks pub at Stanton so named? 3. Ilkeston had a windmill at one time. Where was it? 4. A very famous person stayed at the Dewdrop Inn (Middleton Hotel) at Ilkeston Junction during WWII. Who was it? 5. What was the airship that came over Ilkeston in 1929 and what was its fate? 6. What was the name of the pub that stood near the GNR bridge on Cotmanhay Road? 7. What was the Beauty Spot at Little Hallam before it became a venue for boating, sporting and now fishing activities? 8. What firm made the fountain in the Market Place and what was its purpose? 9. Who were the respective editors of the Advertiser and Pioneer newspapers during the late Victorian and early 20th century? 10. Green’s Lock on the Erewash Canal was called by another name around 1900. What was it? Answers can be found on page 14. ————
Sad farewells as Nottm Road Post Office closes Minesh and Avashi Patel retired from their posts at the Nottingham Road Post Office on 25th February after almost 22 years. The couple have served the community and watched three generations grow up as they managed their business. Minesh says they have enjoyed every minute of it and are sad to leave but know that now is the right time for them to do something new. The Post Office counter has been transferred to the Wayfarer Discount Store further up the road. A constant stream of customers called in to wish the Patels well as their last day approached.
Story in Ilson
dialect
By Jim Sumner
THE SERGEANT AN’ CORPORAL MADE AR LIVES A MISERY It wa like this’ere sorry. Ar ’ad to goo an’ do mi National Service for tow years just after mi eightaynth bothdee an’ yo wunner believe some a th’ things that ’appened ta may. Thi wa abert thotty on us in a ’ut wi’ a sergeant an’ corporal in charge on us. Ar’ll tell thee this anall, thayse tow didner saym ta ay many brains between ’em. Ar reckon both on ’em were last in th’queue when thi were ’andin’ brains ert. Ar’ll tell thee this anall, thi wa some rum yewths doin’ thrainin’ – thi wa one or tow yewniversity students oo wa supposed ta bay clever but thi worner. Thi wa some Scottish yewths from Glasgow oo were as tough as nails an’ wa allis gerrin’ inta fayts – way soon lont ta kayp awee from them. Thi were a chap oo wa allis tryin’ to bay funny and tellin’ jokes – after a bit way got
12 Ilkeston Life, March 2016
Ilkeston members mark WI centenary To celebrate 100 years of the WI, a mosaic plaque was unveiled at the February meeting of the Ilkeston WI, at the Flamsteed Centre, on Albert Street. The mosaic, made up of used jewellery, beads, ceramic pieces of tiles etc., donated by the members, was designed by Linda Haywood. She was helped by five or six ladies of the WI to complete the project. This has taken about 15 weeks of Friday afternoons, (many thanks to Lisa at the centre for her patience). The WI was first started in Canada, so the design includes a rose and a maple leaf and the maxim ' For Home and Country'. The mosaic was unveiled by the speaker for the evening from the Air Ambulance. It can be viewed at the Flamsteed Centre. Barbara Godfrey (for Enid Kemp, sec.).
Ilkeston Rotary Club supports ‘Safe and Sound’ The Rotary Club of Ilkeston responded to a visit by Rhiannon Hulse of the ‘Safe and Sound’ project set up to keep children and young people safe and sound from sexual exploitation. Rhiannon played a shocking video presentation demonstrating how easy it is for children and young people to be lured away into danger. The lottery-funded project has been set up to encourage and assist all voluntary and charitable organisations to spread the word that help can be found through the Safe & Sound’ resources. Rhiannon has asked that all Ilkeston Rotary Club members make it their responsibility to inform their business partners, associates and friends in every walk of life about this refuge for those desperate to find someone to help. The Rotary Club of Ilkeston has passed details of the organisation to the local health authorities for their information as requested by the representative of ‘Safe & Sound’. Pictured at the presentation are President Chris Smith (centre) with Rhiannon and members of the Rotary Club of Ilkeston. President Chris appealed to members to fully co-operate in this important work, in the light of the Saville enquiry and other high-profile investigations.
Walks
fed up wi ’im. Thi was one or tow oo cudner read at all, includin’ th’corporal who was as thick as tow short planks, an’ thi wa one poor yewth who cudner dow owt rayt at all. Ay cudner march properly – ‘is left leg didner know what ’is rayt leg wa doin’ – it wa th’same wi ’is arms – ay never did gerrit rayt – ay drove th’sergeant an’ corporal crazy. Ay never did lon ta march. When way started dowin’ rifle drill ay wa even woss. Thi wa allis one o’ th’parts ay cudner fit in – some on us ’ad to ’elp ’im. Way felt sorry for the poor sod. Way’d only bin theer for a couple days when th’sergeant picked on may an’ made may goo for a ’aircut, which I did. Th’day after, ay suddenly said to may: “Am I ’urtin’ you, airman?” I said: “No sergeant, I don’t know what you mean.” Ay said: “I ruddy well ought to be’urting you, I’m standing on your ’air! Go and get it cut.” “I ’ad it cut yesterday, sergeant,” I replied. He said: “Well, he didn’t take enough off, did he – go and get it done again! And while I’m at it I’ll have a look at your rifle.” He took a quick look at it an’ said: “It’s nothing but a spider’s lounge!” It wa then that I realised ar’d allis bay on th’ losin’ side. Ar promised misen ar’d bay careful, burrif ever ar gorra chance to get me own back, ar would dow – an’ it worner long before th’opportunity came. Ar’ll tell thee abert that later on.
President-Elect Kevin Smith, who originates from the London area, said: “I don’t think I have ever come across a club that works so well together to successfully complete projects.”
Erewash Ramblers Sunday 6th March, 10.00am. 8½ miles. Elton Area. Meet at Elton Church (SK221609, DE4 2BY.) Leaders: Brian & Yvonne Ashby (07970 080121). Wednesday 9th March, 10.30am. Short walk. Ticknall & Calke Abbey. Meet Ticknall Village Hall (SK352241). Leader: Gordon Thompsell. Thursday 10th March, 10.30am. 6 miles. Moorgreen Reservoir and Woods. Meet at Beauvale Priory tea rooms (SK493489, NG16 2AA). Leader: Alan Brown. Monday 14th March, 10.30am. 7 miles. Hartington. Meet at village centre (SK127604, SK17 0AH). Leaders: Brian & Yvonne Ashby (07970 080121). Social Wednesday 16th March, 7.30pm. “Policing in Nineteenth Century Derbyshire”, with Robert Mee. West Hallam Village Hall. Sunday 20th March, 10am. 8 miles. Wheatcroft, Brackenfield & Wessington. Meet at South Wingfield (SK376558). Leader: Joyce Mold (07934 592160). Are you one of these boys at the old Ilkeston swimming baths? Or do you know who they are? Please get in touch with the Ilkeston Local History Society or us if you can help. The society is planning to use the picture in their next book, Years of Change, a photographic journey through the town in the 1950s and 60s.
Wednesday 23th March, 10.30am. Short walk,Strelley. On road parking outside Strelley Hall (SK506421). Leader: Sandie Jones. Thursday 24th March, 10.30am. 5½ miles. Mugginton Area. Meet at the Cock Inn CP (SK287439, DE6 4PJ). Leaders: Fay & John Blackburn (07580 510631). Monday 28th March, 10.30am. 7 miles. Over Haddon & Richlow Quarry. Meet at Moor Lane CP, Youlgreave (SK194645, DE45 1LW). Leader: Barrie Revill. Contact Tony Beardsley on 0115 917 0082 for more information about Erewash Ramblers.
Ilkeston Rambling Club Thursday 3rd March: Chat evening at The Burnt Pig, 7.45pm. Sunday 6th March, 9 mile walk starting from Eyam free car park and heading to Bretton. Leader: Mike Henshaw. Sunday 20th March, 9 mile Grantham Canal walk, Leader: Bill Greengrass. Sunday 3rd April, 9 mile walk starting from Grindon. Leader Len Smith.