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Building on Bramcote Hills commenced in 1955, the area being
a stretch of land from the Bramcote Park and the then Lowe's Nurseries.
It was not until 1960 that shops were built on Seven Oaks
Crescent. There were four: a chain store grocer (Mars dens ), a hardware shop,
a baby linen shop and a newsagent/post office. A temporary wooden building was
replaced by the Co-op supermarket on Sandringham Drive.
The A52 became a dual carriageway in 1961/2 and Thoresby Road
was opened to through traffic in 1963/4. The Boys Secondary Modem school only
had access from the park. The mixed Grammar School and the mixed Technical Grammar
School were opened later; both had access from the estate. In 1960 the primary
school was built for children up to eight years, the others having to go to
Beeston Fields Junior School.
A site on Sandringham Drive had been earmarked as a Community
Centre and/or Library, but in 1962 moves by the Hardy and Hanson Brewery to
change the use to a public house were made. But there was strong opposition
to this from local residents who organised a petition and received 100% support
from local residents. It was because of this that it was decided to push for
a Community Centre but it was found that we could not proceed with this until
a Community Association had been formed. A public meeting was called on 8 December
1962, 50 people attended and it was proposed to set up an investigating committee,
which would report its findings as soon as possible. This they did, and on 22
February 1963 an inaugural meeting was held at which it was proposed that a
Community Association be formed with the name Bramcote Hills Community Association.
The first Chairman was Mrs Elwyn Berry, the Secretary Mr Peter Knighton and
the Treasurer Mr Tony Grimley. There were six committee members.
Over 100 people attended this meeting and were very enthusiastic,
with the exception of the local Councillor, Mr W Pounder, who was also the Chair
of the Governors to the Grammar Schools and Chair of the Memorial Hall Committee,
and a very powerful Bramcote resident. His objections were that we should include
Bramcote village and not call the association Bramcote Hills. If we did not
do this he would ban any of our activities from taking place at the Grammar
Schools. This he did, and therefore al our activities had to take place at the
Secondary Modem School in the park or at the Memorial Hall, which was very difficult
to reach over the Derby Road.
The Association flourished, however, with many activities.
The main ones included a baby sitting service, a Housewives Register, a badminton
group, an afternoon ladies tennis group, a drama group, a men's keep fit group.
We held outings, socials, children's Christmas parties, whist drives, bridge
classes and loaned out gardening and decorating equipment. Most of these events
and activities continue today after more than 30 years.
The first social and dance was held at the Memorial Hall at
a cost of 5/- and the first formal dinner dance was held at Grange Farm on 31
January 1968 at a cost of 32/6d. This included transport to and from Grange
Farm (3 buses) and even a seven course meal with ice cream half way through
the evening and dancing to a five piece band. The children's Christmas party
was held at the primary school. The cost was 2/6d, including tea, a present
from Santa and a Punch and Judy show.
In 1962 the residents of Bramcote Hills, like many today,
were strangers to Nottingham, many of our wives did not work, so families needed
local activities and support from neighbours and friends. There was no local
bus service and Derby Road cut us off from any activities that there might have
been in Bramcote village. The Association served a great need and was much appreciated.
Many lasting friendships were made in those days, which still hold today.
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