Silverdale, Nottingham
Encyclopedia
Silverdale Estate, Wilford
, Nottingham
, England
in the late 1950s on land from the former Wilwell Farm. Bounded by the Clifton Estate, Fairham Brook, Compton Acres
(formerly the Wilford Brick Works) and the former Great Central Railway
then after the 1923 re-grouping ondon, Midland and Scottish Railway and London and North Eastern Railway
Manchester
to Marylebone Station
rail line, Wilford
Village and Ruddington
Village.
Whilst the land was originally Wilwell Farm, residents consider themselves part of Wilford. As the land is part of the Parish of Wilford. George Wimpey
initially wanted to continue the massive house building exercise it began in Clifton, but had to wait until NCC agreed to its construction and ultimately granted permission to commence. Not initially known as 'Silverdale' it was the Ruddington Lane Estate.
Constructed as a private estate unlike Clifton
to its east approximately 450+ brick dwellings were built over a three year period. Built with only one access road, but several footpaths, it had no direct public transport service. Silverdale did not and does still not have its own schools, Government or otherwise.
Additionally, two streets, Fieldway and Barnfield were built in 1959/60, a continuation of Monksway / now Stanthorne Close, originally part of the estate. With the construction of the A52
Clifton Boulevard or "New Road" to locals. These two streets were separated from Monksway and joined by an underpass, which served Ruddington Lane (B680) and access to Bartons Buses. Originally double decker bus routes 14 and 56, but later the single deck coaches.
A similar underpass connecting Newholm Drive and Launceston Crescent through to Ruddington Lane and access to the then Corpus Christi RC School. The writer recalls many occasions, negotiating the Newholm underpass "over" the iron railings/spikes to play football on the Corpus Christi playing fields.
Constructed with its own Public House
at the entrance to the estate on the corner of the A52
and A453
. The Clifton Bridge Inn or "The Ponderosa" to the locals and small shopping precinct built on Monksway. The original retailers being, hairdresser, chemist, dry cleaners, off licence, Forbuoys newsagents, butcher, Lipton grocers, hardware and Fruiterer. Over time these shops have changed business and some are now vacant.
A community centre was constructed in the early 1970s from donations by the Silverdale residents in the form of "Buy a Brick." Silverdale residents also conducted fund raising on Sundays over a period of approximately twelve months. A youth club was the initial idea and was well supplied with activities and supported by the local youth. Located on The Downs, near the footpath connecting Clifton to Silverdale and schools.
Silverdale did boast a football team, Silverdale United albeit short-lived, in the early 1970s. They were successful in England and Europe. Attending one competition in Winnipeg
Canada
. Playing its home games on the playing fields alongside Brookthrope Way and drawing its players from the estate and Clifton
.
As Silverdale has no schools early children were able to access several primary and comprehensive schools in Clifton
, Corpus Christi RC School on nearby Ruddington Lane and other public schools in Nottingham.
The schools listed below were accessed on foot along an unsealed 'track' A Silverdale resident decided that the then rough 'track' connecting Silverdale to Clifton and more importantly to the Comprehensive schools in Clifton, should be sealed and lighting provided. After several months of letter writing the NCC agreed to seal and light the as then unnamed footpath.
Residents dubbed this 'The Black Path.' So named as the few lights seldom worked and the upper end of the path had on one side a small copse, which was also home to a Scout Group. The lack of natural light also played its part in the path's nickname. Starting at the small bridge near the Community Centre, along the Brook and turning right and continuing up towards Farnborough School Technology College and out on to Farnborough Road. The path is now known as 'Silverdale Walk"
Charnwood Compehensive Farnborough Rd, Clifton now known as South Nottm College
Children also accessed South Wilford CofE Primary School
, Wilford
and several other senior public schools located in Nottingham
CBD.
area, through the low lying flood plain of Clifton
and Silverdale, to the River Trent
.
On several occasions 'The Brook" as it is known to locals flooded across large tracts of land. Housing in Silverdale or Clifton
was not affected, as the land is higher. Several playing fields were flooded for approximately two weeks. With the construction of the former Brooksby Primary School, its course was diverted. The writer of this entry recalls two floods in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Causing much merriment as 'no school today' was the cry. The NCC Education Dept, funded a raised footpath from the school gate on the Clifton
side of Fairham Brook to the higher ground close to the Brooksby Primary School buildings, so alleviating any lost academic activity for students.
The second flood occurred after the flood bank stabilisation project had been completed in the early 1970s. The floodbank, the writer recalls, was a success and the playing fields on the Silverdale Estate were under water for two weeks. The NCC playground, Silverdale Community Centre and access to both Brooksby, [Farnborough] and [Fairham] schools was unimpeded. The floodbank at several points on The Downs and Brookthrope Way did start to subside, though 'experts at the time' declared this to be 'quite normal'.
Large parts of Fairham Brook are now protected and form part of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the immediate area. It is open to the public, even though initially created as a nature reserve for students of Fairham College.
As far as wildlife goes it boosts a large number of fish including chub, perch, roach, gudgeon, brown trout, bleak and barbel. Kingfishers, otters, water rails, herons and a number of different birds have been sighted as well
areas.
(Source Nottingham Evening Post
29/05/09)
A long overdue bike track / walking track was built alongside The Brook in the late 1990s. From the small bridge, across The Brook that 'joined' Clifton
with Silverdale. Along the southbank of The Brook, behind the Community Centre, with an 'intersection' directly opposite and up to Monksway. Continuing along the same bank again, alongside the playing fields and The Brook, finally meeting up with the road intersections of Clifton Lane and Westerfield Way.
The Silverdale Community Centre is widely used by local residents for various community and sporting activities. Families make use of its Pre-school and Child Care programs.
and the former Nottingham City Transport
(NCT) provided existing services from Ruddington Lane and Clifton Boulevard. In recent times, the NCT has provided a 7 day service to Silverdale from Monksway.
Nottingham Community Transport
(NET) is scheduled to construct one of its new tramlines along, in part, the old GCR
/LMS
line and exit behind the Silverdale Estate, through farmland and exit on Farnborough Road, near Farnborough School Technology College. The anticipated date of completion slated as 2012/2013. As of July 2008 nothing has happened.
Wilford
Wilford is a village close to the centre the city of Nottingham, UK, on the banks of the River Trent. It has been described as a semi-rural village in a city. The village is bounded to the north and west by the River Trent and to the east by the embankment of the now closed Great Central Railway...
, Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
History
Constructed by George WimpeyGeorge Wimpey
George Wimpey was formed in 1880 and, based in Hammersmith, operated largely as a road surfacing contractor. The business was acquired by Godfrey Mitchell in 1919 and he developed it into the UK’s pre-eminent construction and housebuilding firm. In 2007, Wimpey merged with Taylor Woodrow to create...
in the late 1950s on land from the former Wilwell Farm. Bounded by the Clifton Estate, Fairham Brook, Compton Acres
Compton Acres
Compton Acres, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire is a housing development located to the south west of the main urban area of West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, England, on the rural-urban fringe. Compton Acres also borders with the villages of Ruddington and Wilford.The name Compton Acres is taken...
(formerly the Wilford Brick Works) and the former Great Central Railway
Great Central Railway
The Great Central Railway was a railway company in England which came into being when the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway changed its name in 1897 in anticipation of the opening in 1899 of its London Extension . On 1 January 1923, it was grouped into the London and North Eastern...
then after the 1923 re-grouping ondon, Midland and Scottish Railway and London and North Eastern Railway
London and North Eastern Railway
The London and North Eastern Railway was the second-largest of the "Big Four" railway companies created by the Railways Act 1921 in Britain...
Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
to Marylebone Station
Marylebone station
Marylebone station , also known as London Marylebone, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. It stands midway between the mainline stations at Euston and Paddington, about 1 mile from each...
rail line, Wilford
Wilford
Wilford is a village close to the centre the city of Nottingham, UK, on the banks of the River Trent. It has been described as a semi-rural village in a city. The village is bounded to the north and west by the River Trent and to the east by the embankment of the now closed Great Central Railway...
Village and Ruddington
Ruddington
Ruddington is an English village situated five miles south of Nottingham in the Borough of Rushcliffe. It had a population of 6,441 at the 2001 UK census....
Village.
Whilst the land was originally Wilwell Farm, residents consider themselves part of Wilford. As the land is part of the Parish of Wilford. George Wimpey
George Wimpey
George Wimpey was formed in 1880 and, based in Hammersmith, operated largely as a road surfacing contractor. The business was acquired by Godfrey Mitchell in 1919 and he developed it into the UK’s pre-eminent construction and housebuilding firm. In 2007, Wimpey merged with Taylor Woodrow to create...
initially wanted to continue the massive house building exercise it began in Clifton, but had to wait until NCC agreed to its construction and ultimately granted permission to commence. Not initially known as 'Silverdale' it was the Ruddington Lane Estate.
Constructed as a private estate unlike Clifton
Clifton, Nottinghamshire
Clifton is a council estate and village in the city of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England founded by Sir Robert Clifton. The estate has a number of shop-clusters and relatively good transport links with the city and surrounding areas. The village is on the A453 which is the main connection...
to its east approximately 450+ brick dwellings were built over a three year period. Built with only one access road, but several footpaths, it had no direct public transport service. Silverdale did not and does still not have its own schools, Government or otherwise.
Additionally, two streets, Fieldway and Barnfield were built in 1959/60, a continuation of Monksway / now Stanthorne Close, originally part of the estate. With the construction of the A52
A52 road
The A52 is a major road in the East Midlands, England. It runs east from the junction with the A53 at Newcastle-under-Lyme near Stoke-on-Trent via Ashbourne, Derby, Stapleford, Nottingham, West Bridgford, Bingham, Grantham, Boston and Skegness before terminating on the east Lincolnshire coast at...
Clifton Boulevard or "New Road" to locals. These two streets were separated from Monksway and joined by an underpass, which served Ruddington Lane (B680) and access to Bartons Buses. Originally double decker bus routes 14 and 56, but later the single deck coaches.
A similar underpass connecting Newholm Drive and Launceston Crescent through to Ruddington Lane and access to the then Corpus Christi RC School. The writer recalls many occasions, negotiating the Newholm underpass "over" the iron railings/spikes to play football on the Corpus Christi playing fields.
Constructed with its own Public House
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
at the entrance to the estate on the corner of the A52
A52 road
The A52 is a major road in the East Midlands, England. It runs east from the junction with the A53 at Newcastle-under-Lyme near Stoke-on-Trent via Ashbourne, Derby, Stapleford, Nottingham, West Bridgford, Bingham, Grantham, Boston and Skegness before terminating on the east Lincolnshire coast at...
and A453
A453 road
The A453 road was formerly the main trunk road connecting the English cities of Nottingham and Birmingham. However, the middle section of this mainly single-carriageway road has largely been downgraded to B roads or unclassified roads following the construction of the parallel M42-A42 link around...
. The Clifton Bridge Inn or "The Ponderosa" to the locals and small shopping precinct built on Monksway. The original retailers being, hairdresser, chemist, dry cleaners, off licence, Forbuoys newsagents, butcher, Lipton grocers, hardware and Fruiterer. Over time these shops have changed business and some are now vacant.
A community centre was constructed in the early 1970s from donations by the Silverdale residents in the form of "Buy a Brick." Silverdale residents also conducted fund raising on Sundays over a period of approximately twelve months. A youth club was the initial idea and was well supplied with activities and supported by the local youth. Located on The Downs, near the footpath connecting Clifton to Silverdale and schools.
Silverdale did boast a football team, Silverdale United albeit short-lived, in the early 1970s. They were successful in England and Europe. Attending one competition in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Playing its home games on the playing fields alongside Brookthrope Way and drawing its players from the estate and Clifton
Clifton, Nottinghamshire
Clifton is a council estate and village in the city of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England founded by Sir Robert Clifton. The estate has a number of shop-clusters and relatively good transport links with the city and surrounding areas. The village is on the A453 which is the main connection...
.
As Silverdale has no schools early children were able to access several primary and comprehensive schools in Clifton
Clifton, Nottinghamshire
Clifton is a council estate and village in the city of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England founded by Sir Robert Clifton. The estate has a number of shop-clusters and relatively good transport links with the city and surrounding areas. The village is on the A453 which is the main connection...
, Corpus Christi RC School on nearby Ruddington Lane and other public schools in Nottingham.
The schools listed below were accessed on foot along an unsealed 'track' A Silverdale resident decided that the then rough 'track' connecting Silverdale to Clifton and more importantly to the Comprehensive schools in Clifton, should be sealed and lighting provided. After several months of letter writing the NCC agreed to seal and light the as then unnamed footpath.
Residents dubbed this 'The Black Path.' So named as the few lights seldom worked and the upper end of the path had on one side a small copse, which was also home to a Scout Group. The lack of natural light also played its part in the path's nickname. Starting at the small bridge near the Community Centre, along the Brook and turning right and continuing up towards Farnborough School Technology College and out on to Farnborough Road. The path is now known as 'Silverdale Walk"
Schools around Silverdale
- Brooksby Primary, Brooksby Lane Clifton (later burnt down and now a derelict site)
- Farnborough School Technology College
Charnwood Compehensive Farnborough Rd, Clifton now known as South Nottm College
- South Nottingham CollegeSouth Nottingham CollegeSouth Nottingham College is a further education college based over five sites in Nottinghamshire, England.South Nottingham College was founded in September 1970 on the site of the old Lutterell Comprehensive School on Greythorn Drive West Bridgford....
http://www.snc.ac.uk/ - Fairham Community College
Children also accessed South Wilford CofE Primary School
South Wilford CofE Primary School
-Overview:The South Wilford CofE Primary School began as a Free School that was built in 1736, pursuant to the will of Mr Benjamin Carter who, in 1732, left £200 for that purpose, and bequeathed for its support and for other charitable uses, property which now produces about £220 per annum, of...
, Wilford
Wilford
Wilford is a village close to the centre the city of Nottingham, UK, on the banks of the River Trent. It has been described as a semi-rural village in a city. The village is bounded to the north and west by the River Trent and to the east by the embankment of the now closed Great Central Railway...
and several other senior public schools located in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
CBD.
Fairham Brook
Fairham Brook from which the Fairham Compehensive School, now Fairham Community School took its name, runs from its source, believed to be around the RuddingtonRuddington
Ruddington is an English village situated five miles south of Nottingham in the Borough of Rushcliffe. It had a population of 6,441 at the 2001 UK census....
area, through the low lying flood plain of Clifton
Clifton, Nottinghamshire
Clifton is a council estate and village in the city of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England founded by Sir Robert Clifton. The estate has a number of shop-clusters and relatively good transport links with the city and surrounding areas. The village is on the A453 which is the main connection...
and Silverdale, to the River Trent
River Trent
The River Trent is one of the major rivers of England. Its source is in Staffordshire on the southern edge of Biddulph Moor. It flows through the Midlands until it joins the River Ouse at Trent Falls to form the Humber Estuary, which empties into the North Sea below Hull and Immingham.The Trent...
.
On several occasions 'The Brook" as it is known to locals flooded across large tracts of land. Housing in Silverdale or Clifton
Clifton, Nottinghamshire
Clifton is a council estate and village in the city of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England founded by Sir Robert Clifton. The estate has a number of shop-clusters and relatively good transport links with the city and surrounding areas. The village is on the A453 which is the main connection...
was not affected, as the land is higher. Several playing fields were flooded for approximately two weeks. With the construction of the former Brooksby Primary School, its course was diverted. The writer of this entry recalls two floods in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Causing much merriment as 'no school today' was the cry. The NCC Education Dept, funded a raised footpath from the school gate on the Clifton
Clifton, Nottinghamshire
Clifton is a council estate and village in the city of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England founded by Sir Robert Clifton. The estate has a number of shop-clusters and relatively good transport links with the city and surrounding areas. The village is on the A453 which is the main connection...
side of Fairham Brook to the higher ground close to the Brooksby Primary School buildings, so alleviating any lost academic activity for students.
The second flood occurred after the flood bank stabilisation project had been completed in the early 1970s. The floodbank, the writer recalls, was a success and the playing fields on the Silverdale Estate were under water for two weeks. The NCC playground, Silverdale Community Centre and access to both Brooksby, [Farnborough] and [Fairham] schools was unimpeded. The floodbank at several points on The Downs and Brookthrope Way did start to subside, though 'experts at the time' declared this to be 'quite normal'.
Large parts of Fairham Brook are now protected and form part of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the immediate area. It is open to the public, even though initially created as a nature reserve for students of Fairham College.
As far as wildlife goes it boosts a large number of fish including chub, perch, roach, gudgeon, brown trout, bleak and barbel. Kingfishers, otters, water rails, herons and a number of different birds have been sighted as well
Silverdale Today
In April 2008 The NCC approved plans for the re-development of the former Brooksby Primary School site, as an Aged Care facility. Replacing a similar facility on Sturgeon Avenue "The Spinney" and to increase the numbers of beds for residents in the Silverdale and WilfordWilford
Wilford is a village close to the centre the city of Nottingham, UK, on the banks of the River Trent. It has been described as a semi-rural village in a city. The village is bounded to the north and west by the River Trent and to the east by the embankment of the now closed Great Central Railway...
areas.
(Source Nottingham Evening Post
Nottingham Evening Post
The Nottingham Post is an English tabloid newspaper which serves Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire....
29/05/09)
A long overdue bike track / walking track was built alongside The Brook in the late 1990s. From the small bridge, across The Brook that 'joined' Clifton
Clifton, Nottinghamshire
Clifton is a council estate and village in the city of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England founded by Sir Robert Clifton. The estate has a number of shop-clusters and relatively good transport links with the city and surrounding areas. The village is on the A453 which is the main connection...
with Silverdale. Along the southbank of The Brook, behind the Community Centre, with an 'intersection' directly opposite and up to Monksway. Continuing along the same bank again, alongside the playing fields and The Brook, finally meeting up with the road intersections of Clifton Lane and Westerfield Way.
The Silverdale Community Centre is widely used by local residents for various community and sporting activities. Families make use of its Pre-school and Child Care programs.
Bus service
The initial public transport to Silverdale did not enter the estate. Bartons Buses Trent BartonTrent Barton
Trent Barton is one of the very small number of significant independent bus operators in the United Kingdom. It was formed as the result of merging Derbyshire's Trent Buses with Nottinghamshire's Barton Transport....
and the former Nottingham City Transport
Nottingham City Transport
Nottingham City Transport is the major bus operator of the English city of Nottingham, running a comprehensive network of services in the Greater Nottingham area, with some services continuing to Southwell, Loughborough, and East Midlands Airport. There are over 80 routes across the City, giving...
(NCT) provided existing services from Ruddington Lane and Clifton Boulevard. In recent times, the NCT has provided a 7 day service to Silverdale from Monksway.
Nottingham Community Transport
- L1: Nottingham - Trent Bridge - Wilford Lane - Wilford Village - Silverdale.
- L2: Silverdale - Clifton - Ruddington - West Bridgford - Gamston.
Tram Service
The Nottingham Express TransitNottingham Express Transit
Nottingham Express Transit is a light-rail tramway in the Nottingham area in England. The first line opened to the public on 9 March 2004, having cost £200 million to construct. The scheme took sixteen years from conception to implementation...
(NET) is scheduled to construct one of its new tramlines along, in part, the old GCR
Great Central Railway
The Great Central Railway was a railway company in England which came into being when the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway changed its name in 1897 in anticipation of the opening in 1899 of its London Extension . On 1 January 1923, it was grouped into the London and North Eastern...
/LMS
London, Midland and Scottish Railway
The London Midland and Scottish Railway was a British railway company. It was formed on 1 January 1923 under the Railways Act of 1921, which required the grouping of over 120 separate railway companies into just four...
line and exit behind the Silverdale Estate, through farmland and exit on Farnborough Road, near Farnborough School Technology College. The anticipated date of completion slated as 2012/2013. As of July 2008 nothing has happened.
Silverdale PlayGround/Playing Fields
Source of many childhood games especially on the field as many children play hide and seek and football. The park has been revamped in the 90s and is a nice area for children to playSee also
- List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Nottinghamshire
- WilfordWilfordWilford is a village close to the centre the city of Nottingham, UK, on the banks of the River Trent. It has been described as a semi-rural village in a city. The village is bounded to the north and west by the River Trent and to the east by the embankment of the now closed Great Central Railway...
- Compton AcresCompton AcresCompton Acres, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire is a housing development located to the south west of the main urban area of West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, England, on the rural-urban fringe. Compton Acres also borders with the villages of Ruddington and Wilford.The name Compton Acres is taken...
- Clifton, Nottingham
- Great Central RailwayGreat Central RailwayThe Great Central Railway was a railway company in England which came into being when the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway changed its name in 1897 in anticipation of the opening in 1899 of its London Extension . On 1 January 1923, it was grouped into the London and North Eastern...
- RuddingtonRuddingtonRuddington is an English village situated five miles south of Nottingham in the Borough of Rushcliffe. It had a population of 6,441 at the 2001 UK census....
External links
- Silverdale and local history website
- The changing village of Wilford Homepage
- Wilwell Farm Nature Reserve
- This is Wilford
- ttp://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/local/nottingham_city/cliftonthe_meadows/wilford_and_silverdale/