This is the time for outdoor activities and having been glued to a TV, eagerly watching the antics of the English football team and others, heading out to support various garden parties, school fetes or the Gala will provide a welcome relief. We will soon be asking that all important question ... How long will the flags be flying? Perhaps they will continue as support for the test matches, the rugby tour in Australia or the rowing at Henley! At least with the flag of St George, you can't accidentally fly it upside down (like the Union Flag) but it does seem to appear in some unusual places - what ever happened to traditional flagpoles? It might be a reminder to mention the All Hallows flagpole and why we will be raising the Stars and Stripes on the 4th July. Although the congregation have many family and friends in the US and we have had an exchange of Vicars from New York State, the main reason for flying the flag is to commemorate Jackie McAuley. She was the daughter of Mr McAuley, who was working for Diamond Cable and had brought his family over from the US. Jackie died tragically as the result of a sudden illness but the family felt they were so well supported by the Clergy and congregation, that they donated a new flagpole.

People, Places and Memorabilia - The Hardstaff Homes.

A visitor approaching Gedling via Arnold Lane cannot help but be impressed by the crescent of ten attractive houses, that we know as the Hardstaff Homes. These were built as Almshouses in 1936 for the widows and orphans of miners, Gedling Colliery being at peak production at that time. Almshouses are the earliest form of affordable housing recorded in history, the first being set up in York in the 10th Century. The earliest examples were called hospitals and were founded by religious orders to care for the sick and the elderly. After the dissolution of the Monasteries, many disappeared but fortunately wealthy landowners, merchants and industrialists carried on the tradition. The early almshouses were basic compared with the present versions but were preferable to the workhouses or city slums. There are now 1,750 almshouse charities providing 30,000 homes, some of which are listed buildings. Pictured is Mary Elizabeth Hardstaff who was born in 1843. Her father, Mr Dobson Hardstaff, a farmer from Trowell, formed, with Mr Thomas Bailey, the Digby Colliery. Mary inherited her father’s estate and left her money to founding an almshouse in Giltbrook. She died in 1899 and land was purchased by her trustees and a row of terraced houses was built. More land was purchased at Mansfield Woodhouse and after a delay caused by the Great War, another terrace of houses was built in 1919. The Gedling Almshouses were designed by Mr T Cecil Howitt, who had previously been the architect for Nottingham Council House. Although the original residence criteria was for mining related families, anyone in need can now apply and the mining connection may be a deciding factor. Application can be made to the Trustees of the Nottingham Almshouse Charity through the Clerk to the Trustees, Mr B Raven, 3 Bleetham Close, Bingham, Nottingham NG13 8EQ. Our grateful thanks to Mr Raven for permission to reproduce information and the Mary Hardstaff photo.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Ted White, Chairman of Building Committee

The Gedling Parish Magazine is available from church and several local outlets at 40p. Postal subscriptions are also available at £8.50 per year.

Any articles for, and information about the magazine, is available by contacting the editors Kathy and Rick Wilson The Gedling Magazine