mattbell1975

Looking for details on the concept, design and construction of the Shortbrook/Westfield and Waterthorpe areas. Who was the contractor,? Does anyone know of any of the designs? or the thinking behind the Whole estate? Seems an odd request but I grew up there and now have an interest in these sorts of things, the design and concept must have been a radical one, not many roads within the estate, lots of paths, bridges and cut throughs. Parking and roads at the extremeties with lots of pedestrian only areas. Any information would be good.

Did you ever find anything about this on here?

I lived in Shortbrook for the first 12 years of my life and then still frequented the area for many years after. I often say to my kids now that the local hoodies here (yes they are everywhere) would run a mile if they were dropped off by the Golden Keys and Shops area. Shortbrook was a fantastic place to live when first built, there was a great sense of belonging with many families knowing others and chipping in together, we have photos of street parties from the 1977 jubilee. It was a great place to explore growing up too, Lots of areas that were still fields (across waterthorpe and all the way through what is now Crystal Peaks) was our playground. We used to walk to Rother Valley when it first opened, ride our BMX bikes on the seven hills and I do remember the BMX track being built on Carley Drive. Playing at the "Top" which was the stair tower to the flats at the top of Shortbrook Croft/Shortbrook Walk. There was walkways that went from the flats up into the Garland Estate, the castle and beyond. Loads of good memories, it was ok at the time, would I live there now? Probably not but there is a bad element everywhere, take nothing away from the people who live in that area, they are decent folk (mostly).

Spent many a day and night playing football and cricket on those fields.

Me too, all those teachers are remembered, must have been around the same time? I was at Shortbrook First and Middle 1979-1987

The castle was a very strange creation, but fantastic for football matches. I was telling someone about the castle on a recent visit to Isobel Bowler SGP (which is on the site of the old Upper School fields).

1975 my parents moved into Shortbrook Croft. I believe they were one of the first on the street, I have seen photos where the flats at the top of the street are still being built when I was around 18 months old so around 1977.

And of course the Mill

My mum was the youngest of the Dunn's, she often talks about fond memories of Cyclops Street. The Dunn's were a huge family of 10 children, some of whom have now passed. Grandad Dunn died quite young in 1966/7 so I never got to meet him, Nan died in the early 80's. I have often thought about what the street looked like, does anyone have any pictures from that era?

My dad worked there from around the very early eighties until its closure in 2000. He worked on the drays, took me many a time to work in the holidays, out delivering, always got a free bottle of pop and crisps. We always had a good supply of cans too as the staff got heavily discounted stock.

Hi hehe we laid Auntie Marie to rest today. A lovely service and a good send off. It was also a big Dunn reunion too, I've told them to get on here and have a look around.

Thanks David, I suppose the "Dunn's" have been in your life for such a long time.

For all that lived in Cyclops Street and knew "the Dunn" family my Auntie Marie (Marie Dunn) passed away on Thursday morning. I'm posting as I know a few have discussed Cyclops Street and lots knew the Dunn family as a huge family of 10 children. RIP Marie x

I never knew Peter joined the RAF he didn't stay in long if so. Paul is alive and well, Jean and Margaret have sadly passed away. Auntie Jenny is good didn't know she was a footballer though! Yes they had a black lab called Ni@@er you couldn't do that now!!! I'd love to see any old photos and hear any stories anyone has on the Dunns.

I hope I'm alive when the DFS sale ends, its been on permanently for about 10 years hasn't it?