I went to a Heritage Open Day at the weekend and realised a long-held ambition to see inside the former Nottingham & Notts Bank building in Newark. This is a brilliant example of reuse and of the idiosyncrasies of Fothergill’s style.
The building, completed in 1887, is made up of a large Italian Gothic-style banking hall with polychrome brick walls and large windows, plus a tower (reduced in height in 1957), and the Manager’s House with oriel windows now making up the School of Musical Instrument Crafts (or Violin Making School as it’s known).
The interior has a particularly fine example of Fothergill’s timber banisters, stained, leaded glass and sturdy medieval-inspired doors. Thanks to Chris for showing us round and sharing his joinery expertise!
I learned a lot about how Fothergill’s favoured barrel vaults are not, in this case, structural (it’s all for show) and how it was likely that the woodwork was constructed off-site and installed later. The fireplaces were in some cases dummies, with gas heaters later replaced by radiators. The effect was solid medievalism with a dash of Arts & Crafts, but overall Very Fothergill!
Very much a working building, the college has been here since the 1970s, so I had to use my imagination to picture how it would have been laid out as a bank. There were loads of little signs of Fothergill’s motifs, materials and details. It was a real treat to have a good look around. The college has been under threat recently, so here’s hoping they get to stay here and look after the building for years to come. Heritage Open Days continues until 20 September, with lots to see and do around Notts.
Berni Inns
My next event is a talk about the history of Nottingham’s Berni Inns and their buildings. This once-popular restaurant chain had several branches in Nottingham and surrounding areas, with many of them opening in the 1960s and 1970s. I’ve researched the history of the buildings, the food and the adverts for these Nottingham Berni Inns – Join me for an entertaining look into how we used to “Disco Dine with steak and wine for under £1”.
The talk takes place at The Vat & Fiddle, Queensbridge Road (near Nottingham Rail Station) on Wednesday, 23 September, prompt start 7 pm. (doors open 6.30pm and the pub is open until 9 pm). Tickets are £10 here or at the bar.
Tour dates
There will be a couple of scheduled architecture tours in October:
Watson Fothergill Walk: Architecture of Victorian Nottingham, Sunday 18 October, 10 am
This tour looks at the life and city-centre buildings of Watson Fothergill, Nottingham’s most eccentric architect. Featuring Queen’s Chambers, Former Nottingham & Notts Bank, Fothergill’s Office and more.
The Hine Hike: Buildings of Thomas Chamber Hine, Sunday 25 October, 2 pm
An introduction to the prolific 19th-century architect who quite literally shaped the streets of Nottingham. Featuring a look over the Park Tunnel, Hine’s Home & Office and the Lace Market.
I have very limited availability for private group walks in October and November. Prices start at £100 for up to 4 people – drop me a line to find out more.
Thanks for reading Watson Fothergill Walk – Lucy Brouwer! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.