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Spondon
Spondon maps
Historic maps of Spondon and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Spondon maps
Spondon photos
We have no photos of Spondon, although we do have photos of these nearby places:
Alvaston| Derby| Allestree| Sandiacre| New Sawley| Long Eaton| Ilkeston| Stapleford| Mickleover| Castle Donington| Duffield| Holbrook| Milford| Findern| Kegworth| Repton
Spondon area books
Displaying 1 of 11 books about Spondon and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Spondon
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Spondon.
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or of a photo of Spondon.
Spondon During War.
I occasionally came to live with my sister in Spondon during the war years. I lived in Ockbrook Road, the house was named Tarbet House. At the rear across two fields was an anti-aircraft battery of four guns, which when they were firing during air raids used to make a terrific noise, so much so that light fittings had to be wedged. I remember Bartons buses passing carrying workers from Ilkeston to The British Celanese Factory, these buses had large green bags on the roofs full of gas which was the fuel instead of diesel. Also I remember large cannisters of tar placed on the roadsides, these were lit at night to create a smoke screen for Derby, not many people seem to remember these. I later worked at the Derby Loco but now live in North Wales, have been here since 1956.
Derbyshire memories
Shaftesbury Crescent
My grandparents lived at 41 Shaftesbury Crescent near the baseball ground from 1946 till 1980, next door lived Ethel Paling, she was a wonderful cook, the smell of her baking I can still remember today. Next to Ethel was Mr and Mrs Morris, the were elderly, Mr Morris was a brilliant carpenter who made all his own furniture, next was Mr and Mrs Longdon, I don't really remember too much about Mr Longdon as he died when I was young, but Mrs Longdon bought up her grandchildren Paula, Tammy and Darren. On match days you would hear the cheering of the crowds at the match, each Saturday morning most people would put shutters or boarding on their windows and doors to prevent the supporting teams smashing the windows. Over the road was a shop run by Mr Spiller, a lovely little shop with sweets in proper sweets jars in the windows. Can anyone else remember the community of Shaftesbury Crescent? I have some wonderful memories of there, my dad grew... Read more
A Schoolboy''s Memories of The Invincibles
In 1948 I was living in the Midland Hotel, owned by British Railways. My father was the manager. The highlight of that year was the triumphal tour of the Australian cricket team, The Invincibles, captained by Don Bradman. The team stayed at the hotel when they played Derbyshire and I met some of them. Of course, my father had the most contact and told some stories about their high jinks. At one private dinner, they de-trousered the Vice-Captain, Lindsey Hassett. They gave me tickets for the match, and I spent two days watching in the blazing hot sun of that memorable summer (it was about 93 degrees F). When leaving, they presented my father with a splendid loving cup made for the team by Crown Derby. There were very few made, just enough for the team and a few for presentations. Sadly, ours was broken years ago, but I saw one not long ago in the Bradman Museum in Bowral, NSW. At the end of the school holidays I returned... Read more
Derby's Old West End
My father had a scrap-yard in Nuns Street. It was right next to the bridge over Markeaton Brook. I remember always asking to be picked up so I could look over the bridge - I don't know why! Markeaton Brook was filled with old bed-steads and all sorts of rubbish in those days - but it always fascinated me. There was an old building opposite Dad's scrap-yard. I remember it as Bennet and Sayers - but know nothing else about it. Can anyone enlighten me?
Memory of an Early Bus Ride
I remember the prison camp at the bottom of Weston Park Avenue. They had a Bedford Utility bus to transport the inmates and my parents got friendly with the camp officials and went out on the bus one night to the Pack Horse at Kings Newton. My sister and I were left on the bus whilst the adults spent the evening drinking in the pub. I was 2 years older than my sister who had just started to walk so I estimate I must Have been 3. We could not have the lights on, it being 1944 and only had the light of the moon to see by. I had to keep my sister from falling down the steps by the door. I have lost count of how many time I spent waiting outside pubs for hours on end. I probably saw more of my parents through a pub window than anywhere else.
Evacuees
I have just learnt that my aunt, Rhona Mortimer (her maiden name) and her sister Grace Mortimer were evacated to Darley Abbey during the Secopnd World War years. I think was only for 3 months. My dad Len Mortimer was evacuated nearby. Rhona would have been about 7 years old and Grace maybe 10 years. My dad would have been about 8/9 years old. They stayed with a Jessie Toll and her mother. If anyone has any information on the evacuees that were sent to Darley Abbey I would be very grateful. My brother and I are scanning her some pictures of Darley Abbey. From Wendy Mortimer
My Wonderful Birth Place
John Plunkett, born 1950, raised in Stanley Common, educated at Smalley Common junior school, and Scargill. Worked as an appretice electrician at Rolls Royce in Derby where I qualified and studied at Wilmorton Colledge in Derby. My mother and father are buiried on the church grounds of Stanley Common, corner Belper Road & Hoggs Lane. Lived at 2 Tansley Avenue, 26 Spencer Street and now in Benoni iin South Africa where I have resided for the last 40 years. My most valued childhood memories are without doubt the honesty, integrity, and never say die attitude of the village people in Stanley Common. During my childhood most people made the most of what little they had, however the community pulled together when times really got tough. Coming from Stanley Common in that particular time laid foundation blocks within your character in which you could build on no matter what you decided to do. I am extremely proud of my village and look forward to my next visit.
