WORLD WAR II
WOMENS LAND ARMY
In addition to the Legion Hall or Coffee Room as it was known, there was also a popular cafe on the western corner of Long Acre and Cherry Street. On the opposite corner (now Dane Cottage) was a jewelers shop run by a Mr “Ticker” Johnson. The cafe was a popular venue for anglers, and was also a favourite “watering hole” for the Nottingham Cycle Club. B & B accommodation was available upstairs. The cafe was run by Mrs. Harriet Smithson, whose husband Ernest was the signalman and crossing keeper at the level crossing on Kirkhill. On the formation of the Womens Land Army (W.L.A.), the first two ladies to arrive in the area were lodged at the cafe. Both ladies worked at Starnhill farm, and on a recent visit to the Church Flower Festival, which was held in Bingham parish church of St. Mary’s and All Saints in August 2002, one of the ladies asked after “young” Peter Lamin. He is of course now retired and his son Chris runs the farm. Both ladies now live in West Bridgford and it was obvious that their efforts during the war had not harmed their health, both looking exceptionally well.
At a later date hutted accommodation was built for the W.L.A on land behind what is now 34, Tythby Road. After the war the Land Army huts were used by the British Legion as a clubhouse, with a bar, billiard table and other amenities, but eventually closed for lack of volunteer help.
“We are doing further research in this area”.