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In Arnold Nottingham, UK

Calverton Village 
(Twinned with the French Village of Longue Jumelles)
[A village close to Arnold]

The meaning of Calverton is calves enclosure, which suggests that Calverton was known more for its cattle rearing than it is today. Calverton is these days known as a mining village one of the last few in Nottingham.
Calverton is 3 miles North East of Arnold just over the other side of Dorket Head in a valley.

Calverton Colliery


In 1086 the village was valued at £1.10.10p, the population of the village stayed static at around 1000 until a local colliery opened in the early 1950's then the population soared to about 7000, the majority of the new miners were from mainly from the North East (Tyneside). The only way to Calverton from Arnold, or should I say the most direct way is via Georges Hill, this approach is down steep and severe winding road which years ago would have been no more than a path, the road is between woodland's on both sides.

Calverton is twinned with a French town of Longue-Jumelles which is in the Loire
Valley of France. The twinning took place in 1976 and a plaque is located on the
library wall which commemorates the occasion.

Calvertons most famous son is with out doubt William Lee, he invented the stocking machine in 1589 this invention changed Calverton and many other villages in the area as the stocking machines were installed in many of the cottages,the stocking machine even changed the buildings as the windows were designed to give maximum light on the machine.

AnotherCalvertonian was John Roe, he founded a religious sect in the late 18th century, it appears the method of choosing a partner was by casting lots,also he baptisms we held in a pool in his back garden (long dried up),he also gave us the Jonnie Roe plum, which is still grown locally.

Wilfrids Church Main St
Duringthe 18th and 19th centuries, agriculture and hosiery were the main employmentand this remained virtually the same until the colliery was starting inthe early 20th century.
There is a museum in the village which is an old cottage which was not pulled down during the many "improvements" in later years.
This cottage is a rare look into the years of the Stocking Machine and the effect on the villages. Most members of the family had to work starting work at the ages of 9 the girls would seam and the boys would melt the zinc and lead to make the needle moulds. The cottage is full of items from that age ( including a stocking machine) and also many from later years which makes it a very interesting visit.

Untilthe 1900 Century there were only 14 house's,  farms and out building in Calverton. There was no electricity, gas, piped water, or sewage works.
In1894 Sir Charles Seely supplied water taps at intervals along Main Street the water was provide by a water pumping station in Hollinwood Lane.
During the 1900's the Basford R.D.C., Coal Board, and  Ciswo agreed to build over 1000 new house's aimed at housing the miners which were mainly arriving North East .

The village has several pubs
Nameof public house Locationpublic house When first opened
Brewery
TheGleaners
Main Street
To be advised
 Scottish& Newcastle
TheWhite Lion
Main Street
To be advised
Home Ales
The Admiral Rodney
Main Street
To be advised
Home Ales
Cherry Tree
Collyer Rd
To be advised
Greenalls
Gleaners Main StThe Admiral Rodnet Main St
There is in Calverton a Folk Museum housed in four rooms of an 18th century Stockingers cottage, this is adjacent to the Baptist Church on the Main St. This old cottage which was not pulled down during the many "improvements" in later years gives  a rare look into the years of the Stocking Machine and the effect on the villages. Most members of the family had to work starting work at the ages of 9 the girls would seam and the boys would melt the zinc and lead to make the needle moulds. The cottage is full of items fromthat age ( including a stocking machine) and also many from later years which makes it a very interesting visit.  If you wish to visit the museum please telephone 0115-841-7832 for further details.
Main Street 1900 circa
Main Street Calverton(1900circa)

Places and buildings of interest locally...

Listed Grade II buildings..

Corner cottage, The Avenue late 17th century brick cottage
Weaver's Cottage,
The Avenue early 18th century brickwhite washed cottage
1-8 Windles Square,
Main St . this when built in 1834 was a square of made up of
a framework knitters cottages on three sides, unfortunately
now only two side remained in an "L" shape .
Calverton House,
Main St, this former vicarage was built in the early 19th
century built of rendered brick.
14and 16 Main Street, this was originally built as an 18th
century brick house but now however has been dived cottage
22 Main Street
this is an early white washed brick house with a pentiled roof
Church of St Winfrid
parts of the church date back to the 11th century however
the majority of the church is 17th century.
Mintas Printing Works
Main St, this is an early example of a 19th century brick factory.
150 Main Street,
this three storey brick house built approximately 1775 has
adjoining stable and cart shed.
Church View,
49 Main Street, early 18th century white washed brick house
135 Main Street
white washed brick house, this property has fixed on the wall
a plaque which displays that this house was protected by the
private fire fighting force in the village, any house not fitted
with this plaque  would not be helped in case of a fire..
Museum Cottage,
Main Street, this cottage built in 1780 is now the village museum.
This museum displays a 200 year old handframe. The kitchen is set
out as it would have been when the cottage was built, the bedroom
is also laid out as an Edwardian style bedroom.
221 and 215 Main Street these were former framework knitter
cottages in the north gable still can been seen the brunt header
bricks giving the date when they were built of MS 1857
Lodge Farm House this early 18th century farm house is a three
storey building built in an "L" shape
Hollingwood House, Hollingwood Lane this is a farm house built in
the early 1800.. There are many other places and building of
interest these are just a few of the more notable.

Cottages Just of Main St
This group of cottages is just off Main street




Thereused to be a Lido (Out door swimming pool) this was fed by spring water,the temperature was to say the least a little on the cool side, as I can vouch for, the Lido has been there for many years, in fact I am told the way that you used to get there is by horse drawn coach. From a recent visit I have made to the Lido it appears to be in desperate need of repair, and unused .

Georges Hill leading to the town of Arnold
Georges Hill to the left leading to the town of Arnold
  Clickon here for the Start page

Calverton Youth Theatre

CalvertonSwimming Club

Would you like to visit and stay a while?

"Borrowside Farm"

The main building was originally built in 1647 when the land was borrowed from the Woodborough estate this was how it got its name as "Borrowside Farm". It was an active farm until 1976, and to this present day has been in the same family forover 200 years, some of the land has been sold off over the years but it still has 6 acres surrounding it.
 For further details and reservations Tel (44)  0 115 8418118.
 
 
 
 

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