IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Redwood Avenue, NOTTINGHAM, NG8 2SG

Seen here on a snowy winter's day at the beginning of 1968, the houses here date from the mid-1950s, forming part of what was originally called the Model Farm Estate (on whose land they were built).

Inevitably in the intervening half century there have been many changes to this scene where Wollaton Vale approaches its junction with Bramcote Lane. Mature trees now occupy the grassed area on the left but more important changes have taken place on the right. A row of two storey flats was built shortly after this photograph was taken and beyond that there is now a health centre. The petrol station has survived but has been completely rebuilt, now incorporating an M&S Simply Food outlet.

On Bramcote Lane.

Until the coming of major housing development in the area, this was the only house between Wollaton village and Bramcote village. The name derives from its relationship to Model Farm, which was located in a rectangle bounded by Wollaton Vale, Grangewood Road and Edlington Drive.

The shops are situated on both sides of the road, with car parking in front. Unlike many other similar areas this parade still has many proper shops (butchers, bakers, newsagent, post office, hardware store, etc), rather than the ubiquitous banks, estate agents, and betting shops.

On Wollaton Vale

The pub takes its name from an unusual rock outcrop Image a couple of miles away.

The quality of this old colour slide is far from ideal but the scene is of interest. At the time Humberstone Road was being built and, as was often the case in those days around building sites, no attempt was made to give the new roads a temporary surface, resulting in a quagmire after rain. On this summer evening in 1969 the driver of an ice cream van had, for some inexplicable reason, attempted to bring his vehicle this way. The inevitable happened and he got hopelessly stuck in the mud (and he couldn't even blame the SatNav!). He must somehow have contacted his company because they sent out another identical van to tow him out. Unfortunately the plan failed miserably when the second van got just as stuck as the first. As an 11-year old witnessing this spectacular display of adult incompetence I, of course, found the whole thing hysterical and rushed home to get my camera. By the time I got back the light was fading but I got the shot (I imagine now that the two drivers were less than pleased to have an irritating kid around doubled up with laughter and taking a photograph). How the situation was eventually resolved is lost to history but I seem to recall they had gone by morning.

Built in the late 1950s or early 1960s.