Feared by the Bad, Loved by the Good
Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Robin Hood!
Of course, having been born and bred in Nottingham, we grew up with the legend of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. We read all the Tales of Sherwood Forest, sang the song (which I can still sing!!) and always visited him, here, when we were in town:
Did you know that Robin Hood was betrayed by one of his family? He was fleeing the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and took shelter with his aunt, the Prioress of Kirklees Abbey in Yorkshire. He was injured and she bled him, a common practice in those days, but she bled him too much and he became weaker and weaker. Prior to his death, he asked Big John to be taken to the window where he shot his final arrow. He requested that he be buried where the arrow fell:
The site of Robin Hood's grave at Kirklees
Fact or Fiction?
I've always been a believer in the legend of Robin Hood. And I always wanted to play Maid Marian!!
But there's more to Nottingham than Robin Hood! Nottingham is a thriving city with a population over 300,000. Originally known for it's lacemaking, bicycles (Raleigh Industries) and for the big Players tobacco factory, it is now the seventh largest city in the UK. It is the home of Boots the Chemist, Imperial Tobacco, Speedo, Experian -the credit reference agency, GM cricket bats and has
over 60,000 students registered at Trent University and the University of Nottingham. It is also the home of The Global University.
At the centre of the city is the Council House, flanked on either side by these proud creatures:
And, never having actually been inside this building, one Sunday we decided to join the weekly tour:
This is what greeted us at the entrance! A beautiful Art Deco- inspired Italian marble staircase!
Here I am in the Council Chambers, sitting in the Lord Mayor's chair!
An insiders view of the dome. It's gorgeous!
A bust of Mahatma Gandhi
The room where British citizenship ceremonies take place
Dear old Lizzie! People really do admire her for her commitment and dedication to her duties. Which is more than can be said for her offspring!
See these doors? Here's a close-up view:
I love the walnut veneer and the detailing on the wall panelling:
The John Adams Room where civil marriage ceremonies take place:
I'm not sure that I like this style, it looks a bit gaudy! Just my opinion!!
Anyone for tea?
A sample of the Nottingham lace that the city is famous for. If you look closely you can scenes of Nottingham - sorry about the light reflection!
One end of the main ballroom…… there's Robin!
Down the back stairs!
And on each side of the main entrance, a lovely detailed telephone box, sadly no longer in use. Cell phones just don't have this kind of class!
I couldn't leave Nottingham without a visit to the old Courthouse and Gaol:
Order in the court!
The stocks
John Howard, a very famous prison reformer. The John Howard Society is still in existence today to assist those recently released from gaol and help them reintegrate into society
I guess this is the origin of the expression "life is the pits!"
Although it could be worse…. one could always end up swinging from here!
The prison warder who had us doing our paces in the exercise yard!
Tres formidable!
Just across the road, St. Mary's Church, the oldest church in Nottingham
The grave of Joseph, aged 28years
With a cautionary tale…….
And Alexander Gordon, age 35, with a loving inscription from his wife.
And, just so my friends know I'm REALLY not morbid and I just happen to like old graveyards!
Yay, it's great to be alive!!
Talk soon
Zoe
