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2009 saw the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Old Council House in Nottingham’s Slab Square, so on the 5th. September we got together to take
a guided tour round the building we grew up with. We had lunch together in a bistro close to Slab Square, and then we visited Nottingham Castle
for a tour of the museum there and the caves.
Below is an account of the day from Pat Tavner, who organised it splendidly for us - many thanks, Pat. On the right of the page
you'll find links to a photo gallery of the event. Just click any of the small thumbnails that trace our course around the city and you'll see a string of images describing that stage on our ramble,
in a pop-up window. All the strings are linked so you can follow the whole story of our day by clicking the "next" or "previous" buttons you'll find.
All but one of the photos (the exception being the one of him) were taken by Jeff Mann, who did a splendid job of documenting the event. If you went along his images should bring
it all flooding back; if, like me, you didn't they'll show you what an informal CleWS reunion is like. Thanks, Jeff, for giving us such a fine photo-report.
Here's Pat Tavner's account of the day:
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"When I arrived, as 10 o'clock was striking, I could see no-one by the lions, but on entering the Council House foyer the noise level soon told me that
all of our party of 40 had arrived before me, and were in good voice! Our guides soon arrived, and after introductions, we were divided into 2 groups,
and our tour began.
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"During the next hour, I believe we all learnt a lot about the history of the Council House and the City too. We were taken into the
Council Chamber, where we were given a photo opportunity when some of our number didn't need much persuading to sit in the Lord Mayor's chair.
Our tour ended when we were asked
to ring the huge bell, now hanging in the foyer, which originally hung on the old Guildhall in Weekday Cross. From there it rang out the time of
day, but was also rung to signal that an execution was to take place.
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"After that hour or so of culture, it was time to repair to our place of refreshment, a short walk away, at Petit Paris.
The attentive staff soon had everyone seated, drinks served and orders for lunch taken. I think that I can speak for everyone when I say that we had an excellent lunch.
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"Suitably refreshed and rested, we crossed the Square to rendezvous with our next guide at the Castle. As we were such a large party,
we were able to have a private tour of
the caves beneath the Castle. Most of the group decided to take the tour despite the warning of the 300 steps to negotiate!
Our amusing, informative guide really brought the history of the caves alive, aided and abetted with some very convincing role play
from a select few of our members, not
forgetting the asides from Tim, of course! We learnt of the prison conditions endured by King David of Scotland,
who was held hostage there, of the scoundrel Roger Mortimer,
Queen Isabella, and the young King Edward, as well as events from the reigns of later Monarchs,
Nottingham Castle having always been in an important strategic position, historically.
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The Old Council House (1)
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The Old Council House (2)
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Lunch
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