Tag: Watson Fothergill

Watson Fothergill in Nottingham

Watson Fothergill Safari Part Two: Sherwood Rise

Lucy

The next leg of my exploration of Nottingham’s lesser spotted Watson Fothergill buildings took me to Sherwood Rise, up from the roundabout where the Goose Fair goose is now installed for its annual roost.

The first houses you come to walking up from the roundabout are a pair of semi-detached villas at 1 & 3 Sherwood Rise, between what is now Third Avenue and Wiverton Road. Fothergill designed these for Mr John Lindley in 1894, the plans being submitted in March, (A61 in Darren Turner’s Fothergill Catalogue).

1 Sherwood Rise
1 Sherwood Rise (Photo: Lucy Brouwer)

The houses are well sheltered by their gardens but are distinctively in Fothergill’s late style (his next project was his office on George Street). They were built by Messrs Bennet and Williamson between May 1894 and April 1895. The date stone reads 1894.  Fothergill recorded in his diary in 1895:

“March 27. Death of John Lindley, Sherwood Rise for whom I was building 2 villas aged 62.” Then in May: “May 29th. The pair of villas (freehold) I have just built at Sherwood Rise sold by auction by John Lindley exors (executors) for £1,750. The total rental is £103.”

The properties were up for auction again in November 1898, with the advertisements making reference to Fothergill as the architect.

0017 3 Sherwood Rise Wiverton Rd
3 Sherwood Rise from Wiverton Road. (Photo: Lucy Brouwer)
0018A 1894 Wiverton rd.jpg
Date stone, 3 Sherwood Rise (Photo: Lucy Brouwer)

Further up Sherwood Rise, on the end of Berridge Road, we come to The Norris Homes (A56). Described in the catalogue as “Eight Ladies’ Homes”, these almshouses were built by Miss Mary Smith in memory of her brother John Norris in 1893. There are eight one bedroom homes in the development.

0019 Norris Homes wide
The Norris Almshouses (Photo: Lucy Brouwer)
  • Weathercock, commissioned at restoration in 1991
  • Sundial, commissioned at restoration in 1991
  • Bell at one corner
  • Distinctive tall chimneys
  • Gable detail
  • The Norris Homes

The Norris Homes are still in use as Almshouses for single women or couples aged over 60 who have lived in Nottingham. The houses were restored in 1991, with the addition of the weathercock, a sundial and a carved dragon.

The building is inscribed “Watson Fothergill, Architect”, the first time that his reversed name appears on a structure.

0032 Norris Homes WF name focus
The first time Watson Fothergill’s reversed name was inscribed on one of his buildings.

The client, Miss Mary Smith, of Bluecoat Street, remained a spinster and died in 1909. Fothergill was her executor.

A short walk into the streets off Sherwood Rise leads to Foxhall Road. Here are sixteen houses (A74), for Mr J H Willatt Esq. The planning application was submitted in 1901 and inspections were noted in 1902. The houses are in small terraces of 4 houses each.

  • Foxhall Road
  • Foxhall Road houses
  • Foxhall Road
  • Stepped Gable

The houses stand out from the other terraces nearby, with their stepped gables and a polychrome diamond pattern in the brickwork.

One more installment of this Safari still to come… Meanwhile join me for the latest city centre Watson Fothergill Walks in Nottingham on 30 September 2018 at 10am & 1pm (still a couple of tickets available for 10am).

Watson Fothergill in Nottingham

Watson Fothergill Safari Part One: Carrington

Lucy

Starting from Sherwood I decided to explore a few of Fothergill’s buildings on foot… it turned into something of an urban safari. Using Darren Turner’s excellent catalogue of Fothergill’s works as my guide, I wandered down Mansfield Road to get a little closer to some of the houses that remain in the area. (I’ll give the catalogue numbers assigned in the book so you can read along at home…)

Starting from Sherwood I decided to explore a few of Fothergill’s buildings on foot… it turned into something of an urban safari. Using Darren Turner’s excellent catalogue of Fothergill’s works as my guide, I wandered down Mansfield Road to get a little closer to some of the houses that remain in the area. (I’ll give the catalogue numbers assigned in the book so you can read along at home…)

Firstly, what are thought to be be the final works to come out of Fothergill’s office before his retirement in 1906, a terrace of 4 three storey houses on the corner of Mansfield Road and Bingham Road (A77). The date stones are clearly marked but otherwise these aren’t in great condition.

Further down at 409 & 411 Mansfield Road, (A46) is the earlier pair of three storey villas built for Mr JJ Adams in 1886, these are more recognisably Fothergill in look and one has been nicely cleaned. The polychrome brick patterns and the black wooden details are the giveaway. There are a few tiny gothic touches in the windows too that mark them out.

001 411 Mansfield Rd
411 Mansfield Road (Photo: Lucy Brouwer)
002 409 Mansfield Rd
409 Mansfield Road (Photo: Lucy Brouwer)

Next on this trail is the impressive Clawson Lodge, now the Ukrainian Centre (A43). A gentleman who was having a tea break out on the drive invited me in for a closer look, and I nervously snapped a couple of photos of the front of the house. Clawson Lodge was built for Mr Francis Adams Doubleday, the lace manufacturer for whom Fothergill also built Milbie House on Pilcher Gate (as visited on the Watson Fothergill Walk).

Clawson Lodge was built in 1885, when Fothergill was still Fothergill Watson, working out of his office on Clinton Street. The lych gate and garden wall are also included on the grade II listing of the property. This house already shows some features that would become instantly recognisable as Fothergill touches, including striking black wooden gables with barge boards and brick nogging.

007 Clawson Lodge thru gate
Clawson Lodge through the lych gate
008 Clawson Lodge gate
Lych gate and house name on wall
0011 Clawson Lodge 1885
F. A. Doubleday’s initials and date on porch
0012 Clawson Lodge porch
Porch at Clawson Lodge (Photos: Lucy Brouwer)

A little further into Carrington, we find Yew Tree Avenue, now a rough track leading to two pairs of semi-detached villas built in 1881, possibly the earliest Fothergill houses still standing in Nottingham (A33). These four houses now seem to have been made into flats. They were originally built for Mr Luke Scatergood. There are some Fothergill hints, the brick patterns and the gabled dormers, but his style isn’t yet quite fully formed.

0014 Yew Tree Ave
Yew Tree Avenue (Photo: Lucy Brouwer)

Previously on the other side of Yew Tree Avenue, Fothergill had built another pair of villas (A31, 1881) for Mr Thomas Guy. But these have been demolished and the site is now a carpark/ car dealership. More Fothergills of Nottingham in the next installment!

Meanwhile the next walks, touring the Watson Fothergill buildings of Nottingham city centre, take place on 30 Septmber 2018. There are the last couple of tickets left for the 10am here: EVENTBRITE

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Extra Event: Watson Fothergill Walk 30 September, 1pm

Lucy

Due to the previous walk being sold out, I’ve added another walk in the afternoon on 30 September 2018. Meet for 1pm at Nottingham Tourism Centre, tickets are £12 each and once again the walk will finish at Debbie Bryan with tea or coffee and cake included. Please let us know if you have any special dietry requirements (Vegan, De-caf, Gluten-Free etc all available.)

The 1pm walk is now full but there are 2 tickets open on the 10am HERE

iv sep 30 Watson Fothergill Walk

I’ve been asked about accessibility for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and prams – The route is all on pavements and on pedestrian areas. There are some steps into Debbie Bryan’s premises but if these are unmanagable, we can arrange tea outside or help with your needs. Disabled toilet facilities are available at The Kean’s Head (a minute from Debbie Bryan on St Mary’s Gate.). If you have any queries – please email via the Contact page.

Tickets for 30 September are limited so please book in advance. If you wish to pay on the day please email to reserve a place.

For news of future events pleae sign up to the email list – you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Fothergill Watson / Watson Fothergill: One Architect, Two Names

Lucy

Nottingham’s most famous Victorian architect Watson Fothergill (or as he was known for the first 50 or so years of his life, Fothergill Watson) produced some of the city’s most eye catching and idyosyncratic buldings. I want to take you on a tour of some of the best of them, and learn more about the man, his buildings and the city in which they were built.

“I left no stone unturned in my endeavours to throughly master my profession.” Watson Fothergill

Watson Fothergill Collage WikiMedia

Join me for a guided walking tour of Nottingham City Centre to explore the history of some of the most original and beautiful buildings of the Victorian era.

“You must be acquainted with the best works of the best men of the best will never come out of yourself.”

Watson Fothergill Walk Architecture Tour Nottingham
Tickets now on sale.

 

Eventbrite tickets.