From 2013 to 2018 the Society issued 10 Newsletters to members. Articles from these Newsletters will gradually be added to this page.

KINDLY SQUIRE’S PRAYERS FOR ALL

A book acquired for the History Society by one of our members, Peter Greaves, has revived interest in Colonel Robert Holden, Nuthall’s most remarkable Victorian Squire.  The book of remembrance is dedicated to the people of Nuttall (the Victorian spelling we use in this article) “whom he knew and loved so long.”

The Colonel, who commanded the South Notts Yeomanry for many years, was a Christian of eminent grace who felt the power of true and vital religion. He was the second son of Robert Holden, of Darley Abbey, who eloped to Gretna Green with Mary Anne, heiress of the Drury Lowe family of Locko Park, Spondon.

Colonel Holden acquired Nuttall when his older brother inherited Locko Park in 1844.  Moving to Nuttall Temple, he threw himself heart and soul into good works, reading Bible passages to miners at his park gates, giving lectures to his labourers and gardeners, and calling on villagers in their homes.  According to the book, there was no child in Nuttall he did not know or care about, and he pleaded night and day for their salvation.  He was quoted as saying: “I may have a better coat than some of you, and more money in my pocket, but if you have more grace in your heart than I, then you are far richer.”

On Sunday evenings, he would stand behind the desk in the schoolroom with tears of joy in his eyes.  He was courteous, humble, and bright as a morning in June, sometimes singing hymns as he walked or drove along in his dog-cart or carriage.

News that the Colonel was ill caused alarm and many of the village children visited the Temple to sing for him.  They were thrilled when he opened his window to thank them.  Once, while visiting Buxton, he wrote: “Our hearts are in Nuttall because there is so much to excite sympathy and demand attention.”

In 1872, he attended a Band of Hope entertainment for parents in the schoolroom and stunned the assembly (“like a clap of thunder”) by revealing he had little time to live.  He died soon afterwards and was buried in Nuttall churchyard, the funeral procession treading the garden path, flanked by yew trees, the Colonel had used every Sunday on his way to church.  Mourners were numbered in hundreds.

It is a fascinating story of example and loving care for the hard-working and humble folk of Nuttall. 

^{From Newsletter No 1, Spring 2013}

MEMORIES OF VILLA FARM

Following an e-mail request, we have been able to supply a number of pictures of Villa Farm, which stood on Kimberley Road almost opposite Edward Road.  It was built to work Nuthall’s glebe land formerly farmed from the Rectory.

 We were contacted by Stephen Millward, whose parents lived in Sedley Avenue from about 1957, when their bungalow was built, until  the 1990s. 

He remembered seeing remains of farm buildings alongside a path between Coronation Road and Kimberley Road.

 He added: “By the time we moved there, much of Larkfields had been developed.  Prior to that, I imagine the area could have been farmed over centuries.”

 Our society has an aerial view of Larkfields taken at the start of the construction of prefabs in the late 1940s.  The estate, which was built on Villa Farm land, took its name from the countless skylarks which sang in the fields.

 Villa Farm was at one time occupied by the Houghton (pronounced Hooton) family.  Before its break-up and demolition to make way for housing, it was run by the Stirlands, who for years supplied local homes with milk.  John Stirland, a TV and radio broadcaster on gardening matters, was born at   Villa Farm.

^{From Newsletter No 1, Spring 2013}