Pump Hollow, Forest Town

Circa 1912 and 1995

By Pauline Marples

Photo:circa 1912

circa 1912

Osler, Forest Town

Two views taken at the bottom of Pump Hollow, Forest Town. The top one is when it was just a country lane with two cottages and allotments at the far side of the road. In 1911 Thomas Stubbins (29), his wife Rosa Alice (26) and children James Francis(5) and Irene Elsie (3) lived in one of the cottages. Thomas was a 'domestic gardener'. In the other cottage lived Joseph Crooks (40) a farm labourer, his wife Mary Jane (43) and their six children: Ernest William (15), Benjiman [sic] Joseph, (12), Clare Winifred (10), Florence Mary (6), Frances E___ (2), Doris Kathleen (under 1 year). 

At a date unknown the cottages were demolished, more houses were gradually built and the quite country lane became a busy road. Since the second photo was taken in 1995 even more changes have been made to this road and verges.

Photo:8th October 1995

8th October 1995

P Marples

This page was added on 26/08/2013.
Comments about this page

I was born in a cottage at Pump Hollow I would be interested in any information on this hamlet. My mothers family where the KEMPS from the 8th Avenue.

 

By Derek Cook
On 26/08/2013

At this moment in time, we are in our home town of Mansfield visiting what remains of our family and their off springs. I read this page, nudged my wife and asked, "Where is Pump Hollow Lane". She said "Why, it's my old stomping ground", It starts from opposite the bottom of Big Barn Lane, across Eakring Road, at the bottom of the dip. Ling Forest Pub was built on the corner. "Okay" I said "tell me about it" Her description must have related to the early 1940's.

It is a lovely quiet country lane where we often went to pick blackberries, there is only two or three houses on the lane. You walked along the pathway, when you came to a bridge, this bridge carried the engines over to Crown Farm, I think she meant the Crown Farm Pit for this Railway Line also crossed Oak Tree Lane by another bridge over the road and onto Crown Farm Pit. The embankments are still there, but the both bridges have been demolished.  Passing under the bridge that was there in those days, on Pump Hollow Lane, it curved to the right and came out on Oak Tree Lane. What a lot of enjoyment children had exploring the countryside back then. My wife also said that they had many happy hours on the Racecourse Park, and when they got sort of "Fed Up ", they walked down over to Pump Hollow Lane, walked down and under the bridge, then crossed Eakring Road and onto Forest Town Park, for more happy hours of swings and roundabouts. Happy Days. Today we got a shock when we drove down it.

 

By Alan Curtis
On 30/08/2013

The cottage at the bottom of Pump Hollow was my mothers home Doris Crookes, who the became Doris Clarke who lived at 27 First Avenue, Forest Town . Mum was always known locally and to her family as DOLLY Clarke I am her eldest Kathleen, Dolly always says she was born in Crookies Wood which is the same place as the cottage at  Pump Hollow. 

By kathleen hawkins nee clarke
On 23/02/2015

Does anyone know the inhabitants of these cottages circa 1934?

By Derek Cooke
On 30/08/2016

I knew dolly. Lived on the end house. My grandparents were friends

By ricci divito
On 29/11/2017
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