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Addressing Huthwaite

Harper Lane

Chesterfield Road follows same ancient rural tracks historically recognised as Harper Lane. Branching north west off future Main Street along gentlest slopes, two prominently placed old farmhouses cornered entry between. Primary purpose would be leading up to and beyond Back Lane, which branched off providing earliest fuller access to flatter agricultural fields above. Carting produce to wider markets likewise from Whiteborough extended shortest direct connection through steeper valley area called Wood End.

Station Road

Opening a Hucknall Huthwaite ticket office for Whiteborough Railway Station passengers promotionally renamed Station Road. But it witnessed few other changes whilst this rural hamlet started taking greater advantage allowed unrestricted 19th century growth eastward. That more suitably favoured village expansion across ancient forest Commons last recognising Dirty Hucknall. Heading into an industrialised 20th century however, housing a booming population came from siting a water reservoir upon highest point.

Earliest c1907 scenes reveal two recent grander dwellings actually narrowing entry point. Wrights farm long claimed right corner to then open his Workpeoples Inn. Older left farm serving a Peackock Hotel relinquished prime left corner allowing roadside shops, plus a prominent residence named The Poplars by master butcher Wilson household. Further up homed Lowe at The Beeches

Juxtaposing 2002 familiar widened entrance into much busier Chesterfield Road results from 1960s demanding removal of several largely substandard properties.

Mrs Radford revealed her mothers first business as Marshall's newsagent from bottom end Harper Terraced row, directly backing the Workpeoples Inn on Wrights Yard. Kath Wright still ran the families Main Street butchers shop telling intention likewise shared by most Yard builders was providing homes desperately needed by an influx of mine workers.

Bakers Bank / Summerhill

Nobody envisaged next revolutionary era in road transport resulting in mass use of motor cars. But Harper Terrace took liberties a little too far prior any building or planning regulations. Twinned facing properties still stand where some recall a Milliners shop. The Beeches claimed finest 1900 pride of place, constructed by and for Edwin Howard Lowe. Modified garden wall was no problem.

Rearmost and earliest sited left side residence was where Mr Abraham Taylor began his c1880 back Bake House. This incline was thereafter informally known as Bakers Bank, as fondly recalled by my mother from Walker grandparents being last 1950s tenants sharing large house with inherited owner Miss Taylor. Nostalgia steered parents into once owning nearest sited c1972 bungalows.

An apparently related Mr Taylor last occupied another fine looking Summerhill House atop opposite roadside. Both long neglected family properties also demanded clearance. His extended plot named Summerhill Court 1978 council built residential care flats. Unlike the initial 1976 prefab Croft Court retirement complex, Summerhill Court stands afforded some visible major maintenance.

Knowing an original Framework Knitting machine had been salvaged from one premises due for demolition, might now realise true owner. Hucknall-under-Huthwaite 1901 census lists Mr Abraham Taylor heading family household, offering occupation as Employer Baker and Hosier. Moving a past cottage industry into one Factory Yard with tied cottages leads into Back Lane developments.