There are many early examples of improper behaviour on the Hungerhills. I was reminded of this by a notice found by volunteer Mo Cooper in the Nottinghamshire archives.
Town of Nottingham Notice, dated 12th October 1815
Complaints having been made to the mayor and aldermen, that many depredations upon the property, and gross violations of good order, have of late been committed in the fields, the Hungerhills, and in Mapperley plains in this town, by idle and disorderly Persons (particularly Boys and Youths) strolling there on Sundays, as well during the time of Divine Services as in other parts of the day.
I am therefore directed to give notice that the magistrates have appointed the proper Police Officers to take cognizance of the above Offences, and, to apprehend all Persons who shall be found offending in manner aforesaid, against the Peace and good Order of the Town. – H Enfield Town Clerk
With the school summer holidays upon us we might, from experience, recognise some might appear to be idle and disorderly, but not all are up to no good.
Going for a stroll on a Sunday is to be encouraged, particularly if you are a gardener on the Hungerhills. Gentlemen’s Avenue was always a location for tenants to stroll on a Sunday and meet fellow gardeners, not all of whom were old blokes with flat caps.
However, I recognise that some youngsters might wish to stroll where they shouldn’t and that accounts for the appointment of proper Police Officers. In 1847 police constables Price and Mather were pursuing 15 years old Hercules Hewett and his mate James Wayte for trespass on Mr Liversedge’s garden at the Hungerhills and wilful damage to fences in the vicinity of Gorsey Close Gardens. The pursuit of these lads resulted in an amusing ending:
The chase above mentioned was a very lively one, and particularly in one part of it, when the pursuers and the pursued were in a field near the Gorsey-close gardens; for the lads suddenly disappeared, having jumped down a nearly perpendicular declivity of many feet in depth; Price also following; and Mather, not being aware of the depth, followed Price, and found himself, to his great astonishment, involved in a fall some yards greater than he had made any preparation for. The whole party were now in a hollow, one on top of the other; but the lads recovered wind first and got away before the policemen had time to regain either their legs or their self-possession. (Nottingham Review 30 July 1847)
The police officers must have eventually regained their composure for the lads were subsequently caught and fined one shilling each. Worth it I would have thought as the lads no doubt relayed the detail of this Keystone Cops escapade for many years following.
By Paul Freeborough, volunteer
