andymanvan

Hi Derek, Wonder if you know when the bathrooms were built in the loft at No 5? Regards Andy

Hi Derek, Any progress with the "to do list" yet?

Wow that's absolutely fantastic. Thanks Derek. Ive been speaking to my neighbours and Gloria Nelson (No1) remembers all the names you've mentioned who lived on the block. David at Pipworth cottage remembers Frank Alcock well and was quite graphic explaining Frank's allergy to bath water! Can't wait to see the photos. Once I've seen them I'll try to replicate them with their current viewpoint. Should be quite interesting. Andy

Can remember this like it was yesterday. we were sitting outside the "arra" on a summers day when we heard the bike coming roaring down Fox Lane. Being interested in bikes we all turned to see what was coming at such a fast speed towards the pub. Suddenly a riderless bike came around the corner still on it's two wheels and revving it's wot nots off. it shot up the kerb opposite the "arra" and into the stone wall. We all stood there with our mouths wide open wondering why it was riderless then about 3 seconds later the rider came around the corner flat out in the gravel and there was an almighty bang as his (your) skid lid hit the kerb and you came to rest. you must have been flying literally. Unfortunately I can't say it was me who carried you into the pub. We were more concerned about the bike so ran over and switched it off !!!

Hi Simon, Andrew Greasley here. Wow what a long time ago it was but now you mention the names it all comes flooding back. If my memory serves me right (which it does not a lot of the time) you had blonde hair? I remember Stuart Butler think he lived on Sandstone somewhere. Ann Redgate lived down Fife street as did Leonard, his parents owned the shop at the bottom of Fife street. For some reason your name rings a bell with a day trip to York museum sometime is that correct? Andy

Unfortunately my memory is not good at remembering timescales, but I would think it was roughly about 16 years ago. Something in the back of my mind seems to think he was about 38 when he died of cancer. Steve always had big or fast cars. I used to repair a 2.3 litre Vauxhall Ventora and after that a Nissan 280z for him. I occasionally worked for him at the antiques shop. I remember on Bank holiday Mondays we used to go to "arra" then when it shut we would all jump in the back of Gregg's Transit van (about 15 of us) and shoot out to Bakewell market cos the pubs were open all day there. Andy

Hi Mike, Think the Ian(?) you mention might have been Steve Womersley. Steve sold his part of the antique business to his business partner Ian Morris who still has an antique shop in Chesterfield. Steve moved to the Scilly isles to run a boarding house in the mid 70's. I think Gregg passed away quite young years ago.

Yes the Nelsons are still at No1. They've just built a new bungalow on the spare land at the side of their house for Mrs Nelson to move into. I bought my house from Pat Nelson who was the widow of Billy Nelson who used to race bikes with Charley Freeman.

Hi Derek, What a small world we live in. I am currently living at No 5. It's probably a little different decor wise now to when you were here, but essentially the same old middle victorian house. It would be brilliant to see any old photos you may have of the house or surrounding area to make comparisons with.