IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Westhorpe, SOUTHWELL, NG25 0NB

The building is now an antique shop and was formerly the Grapes Inn. There are at least two generations of lettering on this faded painted sign. One may read 'DAVY'S NEWARK ALES' (1830-1975).

The local boundary between Southwell and the suburb of Westhorpe is just behind the photographer. Around the bend ahead is a crossroads formed by the convergence of four roads, although three of them are 'local' streets rather than main roads. The area at the centre of the crossroads was the former Market Place. "The Dumbles" public house was "The Lord Nelson" in a former life. Vehicles on this, "the Oxton Road" (the B6386), can opt to join the A6097 (the Epperstone By-Pass) a few miles further on.

A blue plaque states that this was the site of the Grapes Inn 1830-1975

The boundary between this suburb and the Westgate area, both part of Southwell, is formed by an imaginary line across the road ahead, near the pillar box. The red car is parked outside of what is currently an “Antiques” shop, although it was known as “The Grapes Inn” between 1830-1975. Southwell lies a 3-4 minute drive ahead on this, the B6386.

Pub on B6386, Oxton Road, out of Southwell. Dumble is a local word for the deep cut valleys, with attendant streams, which are a feature of the high ground to the north east of Nottingham (see Image).

A pub that didn't do food, and at the time of our visit didn't do beer either.

Grade II listed: http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-242522-sunnyside-southwell-nottinghamshire Terrace of 5 cottages, now 4 dwellings. Early C19, with mid C19 alterations. This fine terrace originally was 16 back to back cottages but conversions and road widening have reduced its number. Some of these cottages would have been used by Framework Knitters, Stockingers. The stocking frame was invented in Calverton in the 1580’s. Only effective local action in the 1970’s stopped some of these cottages from being demolished. Richard Fisher, who grew up in Westhorpe in the late 19th century noted in his ‘Memories’ ‘that a parson complained that the stockingers of Westhorpe got more money per week than he did and it caused much drunkenness there’. Fisher continues ‘Before the coming of steam power men used to work the machines and the women seamed by hand. The stockings were carried to Nottingham to be worsted……in summer when there was little trade they worked on the land labouring’ Some cottages had an extra window light added so they could work longer hours. See: http://web.archive.org/web/20150714070650/http://www.southwellcouncil.com/files/Heritage%20Trails/Westhorpe3.pdf. I have been sent the following information about one of the cottages: "...my grandfather's name was William Hall, my grandmother's name Mary Hall born 1844. According to the 1891 census lived at No 14 Post Office which I was told was the end cottage. They had eight children including my mother Alice. I can't imagine where they would sleep that lot if it was a back to back cottage! how things have changed". He adds that Alice Hall's mother is believed to have been the sub-postmistress. Any further information would be welcomed. Image shows the building which was used as the sub-postoffice, though it states this was in the early 20th Century.

With the former Market Place behind the photographer - now simply a crossroads created by the convergence of four roads, one of which is the B6386 from Southwell, this is the view along one of Westhorpe's main thoroughfares, called "Westhorpe". Sunnyside Cottages (a terrace of 3-4) are all that remain of sixteen back-to-back properties that are said to have been used as dwellings and places of work by "stockingers" (stocking frame operators) during the late C16th. In addition, parallel with the red car, is a property formerly called The Workman’s Rest (sic). In the C19th a Mrs Warrand of Westhorpe Hall set up ‘The Rest’ as an institute for leisure purposes, personal education and religious meetings. A large upper room was also used by the local women, led by the wife of the Vicar of Holy Trinity Church, for sewing garments for needy children. In the early C20th it was used as a sub-post office.

Four roads converge here at the point formerly known as the Market Place. Vehicles on this, "the Oxton Road" (the B6386), can continue ahead and join the A6097 (the Epperstone By-Pass) a few miles ahead. The centre of Southwell lies a 4-5 minute drive away behind the photographer. The row of cottages behind the tall tree are all that remain of sixteen back-to-back properties that are said to have been used as dwellings and places of work by "stockingers" (stocking frame operators) during the late C16th.