The mystery of the Watnall Hall gates

Today’s mysterious tale from Watnall Hall is the tale of the disappearing gates. It is a mystery that has remained pretty much unsolved since they vanished sometime before 1957. So what did actually happen to the elaborate, hand-crafted gates of Watnall Hall? There are a few clues out there though and a likely answer to the mystery as we’ll see… 

The gates in good order and the surprisingly long driveway

The great gates of Watnall Hall with their tops surmounted by the eagle's head crest of the Rolleston family, were supposedly built around 1690 by Nottingham-born master blacksmith and artistic ironworker Mr. Huntingdon Shaw. They were made of the finest wrought iron. Shaw also worked with the renowned French designer Jean Tigou on the elaborate iron gates at Hampton Court Palace, where he died in 1710. Some examples of Smith's work are held in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He is commemorated by the rhyme:

“The little smith of Nottingham, who does the work that no man can.”

c.1960 - The gates and lodge with RAF huts over the road.
Were the gates themselves still there at this time?

Huntingdon Shaw
at the V&A

In 1957, apprentice architectural historian (and expert trespasser) John Harris, explored the abandoned Hall. In his book “No Voice from the Hall”, he writes "There were no gates, but on the terrace were old RAF huts; the garden was a rubbish tip; the house was empty, the bulldozers waiting to pounce. How could they?"

The gates may even have been removed much earlier. Pevsner's Nottinghamshire volume of Buildings of England published in 1951 says "The iron gates, which were moved from the flight of steps in front of the house to the road entrance, have gone. They were by far the best in Notts". This is odd as the Hall was being used by Hollygirt girl's school until 1954. They are clearly still there in pictures of the abandoned Hall c.1962 and look like they had really fallen into disrepair.

Matters were not helped at all by their being damaged by lorries working on the site colliding with them, and a further misfortune befell them when a tree near the entrance fell on them when it was being removed as part of the site clearance. 

c.1904 - Watnall Hall gates in their prime with Nottingham-built
Humber Olympia "forecar", an early motor-bike

According to the Nottingham Evening Post of 31st August 1962, they were offered to the Castle Museum, who refused to accept them due to their condition. The article also said that the gates had been removed for their protection

Gates and lodge in 1890 on a plate owned
by Watnall Hall gardener Mr.Peart

c.1962 Watnall Hall and damaged gates awaiting demolition

and were stored in the offices of the local building firm F Sisson and Sons who owned and demolished the Hall but it is now known that they were there for only a short while. Mr. Sisson had had them set up in the back garden of his large house, "The Cottage", near Nuthall church, as an ornamental feature. Unfortunately they have now disappeared. It is possible that the owner who succeeded Mr.Sisson (possibly a member of his own family) disposed of them when they in turn moved out or they might have taken the gates with them. The fact remains that the owner in 2000, Mrs.Harvey, has lived in "The Cottage" for 14 years, (1986-2000) and has never seen them at all.

Close up of a damaged gate support

A tantalising comment on the “Nottstalgia” website in 2014 by “richonmc1” from Norwich says “If you look closely at a photo of the gates you will see some odd looking birds at the top. These used to be in my mother's garage before she died. Not sure if they are still there though. My father's company, F Sisson & Sons, owned and demolished the hall before building the houses…Regarding Nuthall Temple, I remember going over the ruins before the M1 was started. Possibly about 1955. We moved to The Cottage in Nuthall about that time after it had been completely refurbished. I think an old lady had lived there and only used one room.”

In mid 2021, using these leads, I tried to get in touch with anyone who may have more information on the gates. The family member who lived at The Cottage turned out to be top tennis coach Tony Pickford who married into the Sissons family. He did not recall seeing the gates at The Cottage and had no idea what had happened to them. 

Another gate section in Terry Martin's
blacksmith yard Newthorpe 2000

Some of the remains of the side pillars were in the yard of Newthorpe blacksmith Mr. Tony Martin in 2000. He rescued them because he was interested in the archaic way in which they were fastened together, with mortise and tenon joints, as if made of wood. He was passing the gates about 1969 when he saw the owner of the Lodge cutting up the gate supports with a hacksaw, as he wished to build a wall where they were. Mr. Martin offered four tickets to the Moorgreen show in exchange for the gate remains, removed them and took them to his yard. He says he must assemble them again one of these days, when he gets around to it. Terry’s in his 90’s and lives in Norfolk now so I’ve asked his daughter if he has any tales about the gates or an update. His blacksmiths yard closed down when he retired several years ago so perhaps the remains were cleared out then. Houses now occupy the site.

So the mystery of the fate of Watnall Hall gates remains unsolved (for now!) 

The same support as in the close up in Terry Martin's blacksmith yard Newthorpe 2000

Does anyone have any more ideas what could have happened to them?

Comment below please...

Corner of Trough Road, Watnall gate pillars visible in the distance

Same corner of Trough Road minus the cottage

Gate pillars and lodge Sept 2020

Lodge June 2000

Sources : Watnall Hall and the Rolleston Family 2000 RA Horton;

Huntingdon Shaw article by R Garraway Rice  https://archive.org/details/archaeologicaljo52brituoft/page/158/mode/2up?view=theater

Humber "forecar" bike/trike picture

Like a few early trikes, it seems to have a footboard for a front passenger but nowhere for anyone to sit. I agree about the engine, if you zoom in you can make out what appears to be a small exhaust pipe. It must have been expensive and possibly a custom build so the rider must have been a wealthy local gent.

Looks a bit like this and the "cycling attire" fits too!

After a bit of digging, I reckon it's a Humber Olympia "forecar" from about 1903. It would usually have a wicker or coach-built passenger seat on the front by the small footboard. Petrol-powered. Made in Nottingham.

One still on the road today, above... https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/23597/lot/214/1903-humber-2hp-olympia-tandem-forecar-chassis-no-100070/

LOT 214 - 1903 Humber 2¾hp Olympia Tandem Forecar
 Registration no. PSL 893 Chassis no. 100070

Sold for £36,800 inc. premium

1903 Humber 2¾hp Olympia Tandem Forecar


Registration no. PSL 893

Chassis no. 100070

*Formerly in the Rootes Group Heritage Collection

*One of the earliest surviving Humbers

*Has successfully completed numerous London to Brighton Runs

*Also eligible for the Pioneer Run and Banbury Run

Footnotes

With a background in bicycle manufacture, Humber began motor vehicle production as early as 1896, displaying motorcycles at 'The International Horseless Carriage Exhibition' that year. The production of Humber vehicles was carried on at both Beeston, Nottingham and at Coventry, there being some considerable rivalry between the two factories, the Beeston works being reserved generally for production of the more expensive models.

The Humber Olympia motor tandem is an ideal vehicle for two riders. All control is in the hands of the rear rider while the passenger is in the front, out of reach of dust and the exhaust gases, and conversation is easy. The front seat is most comfortably hung on springs and is excellently upholstered, luxurious to even the most delicate. The steering is unaffected by the absence or the presence of a passenger, and is easier than that of an ordinary tricycle. Thus did Humber describe their 1903 offering. The air-cooled engine was built under Phelon & Moore licence, featuring an automatic inlet valve and a bore and stroke of 80x77mm, giving a capacity of 403cc.

This forecar was formerly part of the Rootes Group Heritage Collection, which was dispersed at auction in London in October 1969. It was acquired by the preceding owner's family in the mid-1970s, and was the first Veteran on which they completed the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (in 1974).

One of the earliest surviving Humbers, this tandem forecar, with its comfortable, coachbuilt front seat, is presented in blue livery with red coachlining and furnished with deep-buttoned blue leather upholstery, while ancillary equipment includes Lucas 'King of the Road' oil side lamps and nickel-plated fittings.

Offered with a V5 registration document, this Beeston-built Humber - as identified by the engine number's 'B' prefix - has not been used actively for some years but has been well stored and the engine regularly turned. The usual careful re-commissioning will be required prior to use on the prestigious London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, while it is worth noting that 'PSL 893' is also eligible for the equally prestigious Sunbeam MCC's Pioneer Run from Epsom to Brighton, and the VMCC's Banbury Run.

Some other forecars from 1904 https://motorcycletimeline.com/1904-2/

Video https://www.youtube.com/shorts/waPrIfcic7o

Humber works Beeston, Nottingham 1907

Humber advert

Blue Plaques in Nottingham - 

THOMAS HUMBER 1841-1910

Thomas Humber is the man who brought industrial-scale cycle manufacturing to

Beeston. A talented engineer, he worked in various small Nottingham businesses,

until, inspired by a French velocipede, he set up to copy, improve and then

manufacture cycles in his home workshop.

Progressing to bigger premises, he moved his home and business to Beeston in 1878. He worked through two successive partnerships, formed a limited company in 1887, then built larger premises on New Lane – later renamed Humber Road – where the distinctive Humber ‘Wheel of Life’ symbols can still be seen on the surviving building.

Initially employing about eighty men, he continued to improve cycle design and workmanship quality. The company grew rapidly as sales and premises expanded and, although Thomas retired from active

participation in 1892, by 1898 there were some 2,000 employees, making the company Beeston’s largest employer and one of the country’s major cycle firms.

The description ‘Beeston Humber’ became synonymous worldwide with quality and reliability, putting Beeston on the world cycle map. In the 1890s and beyond, bicycles and tricycles were favoured by royalty, some adverts proclaiming ‘Humber, the Royal Cycle’.

Manufacture of motorcycles began in 1896, followed shortly afterwards by motorcars. However, a decision was later made to move all manufacture to Coventry. The Beeston works closed in 1908, leaving hundreds of empty houses as families sought work elsewhere.

The Dojo, Humber Road, Beeston, NG9 2ET

NGR: SK 5356 3695

Plaque unveiled 21st August 2011