Lost Mansfield

Mansfield is constantly evolving, losing bits of its past with the intention of improving its future. Every thing lost is an experience that future generations cannot have, and ultimately, perhaps, cannot even comprehend. It is therefore wise to keep some sort of record of what is being lost- and that’s something anybody can do.

Today, even mobile phones can store images, sounds and video. If you’re interested in preserving aspects of the present for future generations, you should get into the habit of using your phone, or a digital camera, to record odd things as you pass, particularly if you suspect that you won’t encounter the same thing again next time you’re in the same area. Such material thrives on the internet, from 15-second video clips of street entertainers to albums of photos.

It’s never too late to take a snapshot

Photographs are very useful to capture the semi-permanent features of the environment, and until such a feature is actually gone, it’s never too late to take a snapshot. In fact, photos taken during the demolition of a building can often reveal details of the interior which were never apparent from outside when the building was intact (if a particularly interesting building is about to be demolished, it’s probably worth asking permission to go inside and take some pictures, as the Old Mansfield Society did with the former Magistrates’ Courts). Bear in mind that a place without buildings can in some cases be as much worth photographing as a building about to disappear; for example, most of the site of the present Midland Way retail park spent many years as waste-ground, gradually becoming overgrown. Accompanying this article are a few samples from the end of the last century.

Comments about this page

  • “Lost Mansfield” the headlines are spot on, building and memories no more, we have what you would say unforgettable picture story’s. Was there a beer off at the end of the street with stone steps to get to the shop door? How the town has changed and not just in this area, still they say that’s progress.

     

     

    By G.Burton former Woodus lad (13/11/2017)
  • The last house standing belonged to the Paddon family. 

    By Tanya Ross (07/11/2017)
  • Do you think that picture is Sibthorpe St, I lived on Bradder St don’t remember them houses, I do remember  the scrap metal  business  and really a Burger King its miles from the centre  of Mansfield,  to honest I haven’t  been there for years.

    By Gary Noble (13/11/2016)
  • The demolition picture of Highfield Terrace 1991, is in actual fact Sibthorpe Street off of Quarry Lane Mansfield.

    By Clifford Burton (10/11/2016)
  • These houses are where Burger king now stands. My childhood was spent living in the last knocked down house in the middle of the pic (12 Highfield Terrace NG18 1HG) 

    The good old years when kids could play, and play we did.

    By Fred (08/11/2016)
  • Interesting perhaps to note, or not maybe, is that the heat provided to the old buildings which stood at this end of the town, old Police station, courtroom etc where we now see the retail park et al, was supplied via pipes from Hermitage Lane council depot and the incinerator site which stood there for so many years.The process of incineration heating that supplied water. Several people involved with the matter in years gone by had told me this and I thought it worthy of a few lines here.

    By John (19/07/2015)
  • Interesting,so are we to assume that this is the row of houses that stands where SR Payne scrap metal merchants yard is currently situated? The far left hand side where you go up the units is the remains of two or more old houses? This looks to be the very place to me. Anybody?

    By John (25/12/2014)
  • I actually laughed when I saw this photo as it brings back memories for me. The end house was my grandma’s and I can remember her refusing to move, so her house ended up standing a lot longer than the others. Ha ha, even the nets are still up!

    By Sarah Wagstaff (20/01/2012)
  • I totally agree about taking photos and keeping records of the past. I wish I had taken pictures of the old Ministry of Labour & National Services Building and its neighbour, the Labour Exchange on the corner of Victoria Street, opposite the Train Station. These have been home to a Polish Ex Servicemen’s club, A Nightclub, a dance studio, and DHSS building. Now the only thing in their place is a car park that nobody uses. I pass it daily to and from work and have yet to see anyone use this car park.  It used to be a pleasure walking down Rosemary Street being able to see the Train Station on the hill, now I can even enjoy that privilege.

    By John P (12/07/2011)
  • This is were the Manor Nursing Home stands now.

    By Alice Butler (01/05/2011)
  • I used to deliver milk to these houses in 1941

    By ARTHUR WRIGHT (14/07/2010)
  • I have some information on this and the intention is to add a page on Sherwood Hall at a future date.

    By Pauline Marples (18/02/2010)
  • Thank you for your vivid pictures of Mansfield. I was only there for a short time at the age of 9. My mother and I were visiting my grandmother. She was very ill at the time. I do remember bits and pieces of my stay. I went to a school in Mansfield, St Philips. Is it still in existence? My grandmother at that time lived in Anneslley House. I believe I have some pictures of the house. Before living at Anneslley House grandma lived at Sherwood Hall. It would be nice to see some pictures of the house. It is another time that will never be seen again. There should be a picture in the news paper in Mansfield. Also, there is a picture hanging in the hall of the school that was built on the sight of Sherwood Hall. My parents and brother presented the picture to the school when they visited Mansfield. Please write and let me know if you would be able to add these pictures to your sight. Sincerely, Pauline D. Trevino (Granddaughter to Dr and Mrs Tweedie)

    By Pauline D Trevino (16/02/2010)

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