HERITAGE OPEN DAY, 2PM WALK, SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2025

We started a little north of the Chilwell boundary at nationally remembered cyclist Sid Standard’s former shop – The Cycle Inn, at 35-37 Chilwell Road, This was where he inspired youngsters from 1973 until his death in a tragic road accident in September 2003. In a life dedicated to cycling Sid’s motto was “it is all rideable!” 

Moving south to former Barton’s Bus Garage on High Road Chilwell we stepped at the plaque celebrating T H Barton, 1866-1946 – bus transport pioneer. Unveiled on 25 August 2010 by Sir Neil Cossons, Beeston born Chair of English Heritage 2000-2007 – and seen here to the right of Simon Barton – Thomas Henry Barton’s grandson. This was the first of 34 plaques to be installed between 2010 and 2016 by the collaborative Southern Broxtowe Blue Plaque Group.

The Shawl Factory is immediately south of Barton’s Garage. Initially a hand-frame knitting business founded by George Henry Hurt in 1912, it is housed in a former seed warehouse built by John Pearson, himself a member of the prominent 19th century Chilwell fruit growing family. Beeston born Sir Paul Smith unveiled the Hurt Plaque on 30 May 2012 to commemorate the Henry Hurt centenary. Still family run and now a high quality shawl producer using modern machines, G H Hurt & Son Ltd is an internationally respected supplier of choice to Royalty.

We detoured up College Road via the former Chilwell College to Chilwell House Junior School – attended by Richard Beckinsale between 1954 and 1958. Daughter Kate Beckinsale and Richard’s now late wife Judy Loe, kindly performed the unveiling in the presence of a celebrity Hollywood cast and a record 500+ audience on 17 July 2013.

Next stop was 214-218 High Road, Chilwell, the site of Chilwell Hall, demolished in 1933. The south face to the High Road is shown here. Occupied by the Charlton family from c1620 until 1930 they moved on to Croxall Manor near the National Memorial Arboretum, only to be killed in a fire – unrelated to the War – in 1942. The Charlton family Coat of Arms, bearing the inscription of Thomas Broughton Charlton dated 1851, sits above the principal entrance to his Blacksmith’s House and Forge, across the road by Hallam’s Lane.

Rain finally stopped play at the Gregory’s Roses Plaque, mounted on the street face of The Old Sick Club at 307 High Road, Chilwell. This was the office of Gregory’s Roses from 1897 until the 1960s when the Company moved from Chilwell to Stapleford. Gregory’s Roses had an international reputation for high-quality rose growing, routinely exhibiting at Chelsea and flower shows throughout the country. The former Sick Club is believed to date from 1812.

An Illustrated Guide to the Blue Plaques of Beeston, Chilwell, Attenborough, Toton, Stapleford and Bramcote can be downloaded in full on the Beeston and District Civic Society Website at beestoncivicsociety.org.uk

Peter Robinson

26 September 2025