Historical Walks of Ye Olde Nottingham
Home to the Public Baths
A guided tour of the route taken in 1963 - comparing it with today.
1963:
I'd leave Brookfield Place in the Meadows, with the soot coming down from the railway viaduct, along the cobbled horse manure decorated road, and pass the policeman's bike leant up at Maureen Chapmans house door.
Today:
Today, we start at the bookmakers (that were ram-raided in the 2011 Nottingham riots), along the beer empties, and condom littered road, and pass the burnt out police van.
1963:
Along the busy Arkwright Street, past the thriving 'Friary' fish and chip shop, and the Hong Kong Restaurant, the paper shop, the church, the co-op store, as far as the BP petrol station.
Today:
Along the closed down restaurants, the closed down public house, the fire-bombed pawnbrokers, and on to the closed down petrol station, now a car wash. Then through the new housing estate, where last year there was two murders, 45 burglaries, three rapes, one kidnapping, and eleven drug-raids that resulted in two prosecutions.
1963:
Along passing the sweet shops, hardware store, cafe, paper shop, Marsden's grocery store, turning right where the coalman used to leave his cart every night.
Today:
Along passing the graffiti covered walls between the houses and flats, turning right at the burnt-out car and smashed CCTC camera hanging limply on one wire.
1963:
On the right hand side of the road as we enter it, the Youth Club sign, informing me of the coming of a Lonnie Donegan night Special.
Today:
On the right hand side of the road as we enter it, a vandalised police notice informing us of this being a high-crime area.
1963:
On the left hand side of the road, a row of old peoples cottages.
Today:
On the left hand side of the road, A closed down Job-Centre Plus, damaged in the Nottingham riots.
1963:
Further down on the left, I pass the Tom's Barbers shop, with haircuts at Gents 1/3d (6p) and Children at 9d (3½p)
Today:
Further down on the left, we pass Gents Hairstylist- Grooming with Precision and Creativity, safe in the hands of Tarquin & Jeremy. Adults @ from £9 Minors from £7.
1963:
I reach the Public baths on the right half way sown the street - Bath (30 minutes max.) 9d (4½p)- soap and towel hire additional 2d (¾p)
Today:
We reach where the public baths once stood, and find in its place the bookmakers that had an armed raid on it last month.
