Chesterfield Online Forum

General Category => Old Chesterfield => Topic started by: Pete on December 27, 2011, 03:24:34 PM

Title: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Pete on December 27, 2011, 03:24:34 PM
(http://www.ichesterfield.co.uk/pics4chesterfieldonline/3-railways.jpg)
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Gerty Gumdrop on February 01, 2012, 04:34:16 PM
The building on the right of the photo is the rear of The Horns Hotel, and my nan lived directly across the road. 
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Bollans on February 19, 2012, 01:37:09 PM
At some point in the late 50's my Nan and Grandad ran the Horns Hotel. I don't know for how long but I'm sure it was just before it was vacated and left derelict for a long time. I have distinct memories of playing dominoes with the old men in the bar when i was very very young. It was indeed the spit and sawdust kind of place that doesn't exist any more.
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Pete on February 19, 2012, 01:49:45 PM
H Bollans - welcome to the forums. :)

That's really interesting, I'll see if I can find any pictures of the Horns Hotel.
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Bollans on February 19, 2012, 02:08:33 PM
That would be amazing if you could. I have vivid memories of it, but you know what 50 years can do to the details.
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Pete on February 19, 2012, 02:56:58 PM
Here ya go - is it the building on the left?

(http://www.ichesterfield.co.uk/images/hornsbridgehotel.jpg)
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Bollans on February 19, 2012, 03:39:57 PM
Good grief, so it is. and the two tone brick work is just how I remembered. I don't remember the shops just before it though. My Nan (the other one) used to walk me from Park Drive off Hasland Road up into town under Horns Bridge then up past The Hotel. When my Mam took me on the same route she used to tell me of how there was a road block by the bridge during the war because there were 3 main line railways crossing over each other and it was a security precaution because it was a prime target. She would have been on her way to work in the offices of Bryan Donkin and had to pass every day.  Well, thats what I was told anyway.
I always remember the journey as a nightmare, there was a lot of heavy traffic and I used to have black stripes under my running nose from all the soot and pollutants in the atmosphere. I used to run under Horns bridge because it was so dark and dank.
Thanks for digging out that photo, it has brought back and reinforced many memories.
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Pete on February 19, 2012, 04:07:03 PM
Found another - this time when Horns Bridge was flooded. Maybe one of the houses opposite was where Gert's nan lived?

(http://www.ichesterfield.co.uk/images/hornsbridgefloods.jpg)
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Fly on February 19, 2012, 06:01:28 PM
Welcome to ChesterfieldOnline Bollans  :)
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Slacker on February 19, 2012, 06:08:13 PM
Considering the equipment around when that intersection was built it's as impressive piece of engineering as Spaghetti Junction
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Pete on February 19, 2012, 08:18:49 PM
Also funny that so later in time the whole area still floods! ;) lol
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Slacker on February 19, 2012, 08:37:06 PM
The roundabout is at a higher level than in 2007, still to be tested
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: therealjr on February 19, 2012, 08:48:26 PM
Did 'the roundabout' actually flood?
The railway bridge at the end of the Hasland bypass did as did Derby Road outside McDonalds but did the actual roundabout go under water?
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Gerty Gumdrop on February 19, 2012, 10:44:09 PM
At some point in the late 50's my Nan and Grandad ran the Horns Hotel. I don't know for how long but I'm sure it was just before it was vacated and left derelict for a long time. I have distinct memories of playing dominoes with the old men in the bar when i was very very young. It was indeed the spit and sawdust kind of place that doesn't exist any more.

Were your Nan & Grandad Norman & Mabel?  I'm guessing they were because of your profile name.  They were close friends of my grandparents.  I think I have photos somewhere!
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Slacker on February 19, 2012, 11:01:21 PM
Did 'the roundabout' actually flood?
The railway bridge at the end of the Hasland bypass did as did Derby Road outside McDonalds but did the actual roundabout go under water?

May have been just off roundabout come to think. I know it took me 2 hours to get home.
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Bollans on February 20, 2012, 07:05:30 AM
Indeed it was Mabel and Norman, seen here at my parents wedding (the couple on the far left)
sorry if the photo goes off thread.
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Gerty Gumdrop on February 20, 2012, 03:19:28 PM
Indeed it was Mabel and Norman, seen here at my parents wedding (the couple on the far left)
sorry if the photo goes off thread.

I recognise Mabel - she's far left.  Norman I'm guessing is next to her.  I don't remember him so well, but Mabel was an absolute icon!  Always had a smile as I recall.  I really must root round for those pics now!   ;D
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Gerty Gumdrop on February 20, 2012, 04:02:43 PM
Found another - this time when Horns Bridge was flooded. Maybe one of the houses opposite was where Gert's nan lived?

(http://www.ichesterfield.co.uk/images/hornsbridgefloods.jpg)

Yes it certainly was, though I think her house is just out of the shot.  It was in the middle of the row showing on the right hand side.   :D
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge - pics found!
Post by: Gerty Gumdrop on February 20, 2012, 09:21:58 PM
Pic as promised.  My own nan is far left, with Bollans nan in white blouse, kneeling at front with her arm round Jim Redfern.  Jim's wife Hilda is on the right and they both ran the sweetshop a few doors down from The Horns Hotel towards the bridges.  I don't know the other people.

I'd probably have more if I looked but it really WOULD take me ages.  I knew where to find this one as I'd earmarked it for a memory album (which I've still not done - smack wrist!)

I'm unclear as to what year this was taken.  I'm guessing late forties, going by my nan's appearance.  Anyway, there we are - enjoy!

Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Bollans on February 21, 2012, 02:46:24 PM
Wow, There is no doubt, that is Mabel, and Norman is no where to be seen, probably doing all the behind the scenes chores while Mabel plays the Hostess with the Mostest.
Mabel had quite a few affairs by all accounts, she was a well known character around Chesterfield. She had 2 children, Harry (my dad) and Margaret
and as mothers go she was sadly lacking. Dad left home and lived with his Gran at an early age. My mam and Mabel merely tolerated each other.
My Aunty Margaret is still alive and well and living in Holymoorside, her eyes are bad but i'll send the picture to my cousin Elaine and see if they can suss out the names of the others in the pic.
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Gerty Gumdrop on February 21, 2012, 06:11:27 PM
Ooooh heck, I didn't know that.   Still, why would I?  I was only little.  My main recollection is of sitting on a high stool (probably in the off-sales) eating Smiths crisps with the blue bag of salt in it.

I'm so glad  that you're happy to see the photo, despite the family background.  Everyone's got skeletons in the cupboard somewhere.  My family are no exception!  Speaking of which, my lot are all gone now so unfortunately there's no-one I can ask for any more history.   :(
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Bollans on February 22, 2012, 12:30:42 PM
It's the family background that make it interesting. I never lived in Chesterfield but my dad worked as a Technical Representative (a salesman with knowledge) for Bryan Donkins and of course his mam and dad and my mamas mam still lived there. my brother and i got dumped in Chesterfield for the summer holidays at my nans (mams mam). I loved it. and have always a soft spot for the place.
I have so many memories of Chesterfield, and stories that my mam and dad told me.
Title: Re: Three Railways at Horns Bridge
Post by: Pete on February 22, 2012, 12:45:13 PM
What a nice thread - I must post some more pictures :)