Farewell to Kevin Cooper
On 3rd January we posted about the death of Kevin Cooper, the popular former owner of the Fruit Bowl grocery shop in Mapperley.
His wife Joanne and children Emma, Danny & Matt wanted to make everyone in Mapperley aware as he was a huge part of Mapperley Top for many years. His funeral was just before Christmas and the family were collecting donations for the Prostate Cancer UK charity, for anyone who attended or anyone else who would like to donate the link is here below, and all donations are in Kevin’s memory🕊️Thank you all for the support and kind messages,
The Cooper family x
Here’s a sample of the many comments
Very sorry to hear this. Kevin gave my son Jacob his first job at The Fruit Bowl when he was a schoolboy 18 years ago. He worked with Danny and Emma. Lovely man. Miss the shop so much in Mapperley – Linda O L Sullivan
Amazing boss , god bless . Love to Jo , Dan, Emma,Matt and all the family. Mapperley top is not the same without you .xx – Julie Chapman
Loved my talks with Kev. We miss the Fruit Bowl and the great service they did for the community and schools. Love to Jo, Emma, Daniel and Matt xx – Amanda Maring
I’m sorry for your loss. I always loved coming into the shop – it drew me up to Mapperley – and I send very best wishes to all the family – Sheila Spencer
Very sad – miss the shop so much – best wishes and condolences to you all – a lovely family 🙏🏻 Lily BN
So sad to hear this . We miss the Fruit Bowl so much Kevin and the family were such a part of the community. Condolences to his family – Rezi Zimsek
So very sorry for your loss. A lovely friendly gentleman, as were all the family. ❤️- Jenny Dineen
Awe, I served him many times at the cafe in Arnold Park. Condolences to the family – Hazel Roberts
Uncertain Future for Mapperley Hospital
Duncan Macmillan House and what remains of the Mapperley Hospital site is up for sale. Whilst it has an uncertain future, could it open the way for the old chapel and theatre? We have marked its location on these images. It isn’t part of the current sale as it was sold to David Wilson Homes in 2000, who developed City Heights apartments. The original plan was to convert the chapel into a gymnasium but this was rejected due to its heritage listing. It was then sold to a private investor who still owns it.
Maybe access to it could be achieved from the new sale and the developer find use for it.
It would be fabulous if we could find a way to make it useable for an appropriate purpose. For me, a classical concert hall, or theatre. I wonder what the view of the current owner is? – Gillian Roddis
Mapperley’s Tram 1902 – 1936
This section of Woodborough Road Mapperley (circa 1907) is still easily recognisable. Eaton Street is on the right and the tram has almost reached its terminus at Porchester Road. The Nottingham Corporation Tramways line from Nottingham city centre to Mapperley commenced operations on 13 May 1902 but was withdrawn in 1936.
I remember it from the sixties, we used to live on one the roads off Porchester Rd until 1973. There used to be a shop that sold valves etc, where my dad used to go when the TV went on the blink. – Martin Towers
Mapperley in 1890
This map of the area is from about 1890, as it includes the Nottingham Suburban Railway which opened in 1889. Some names are familiar today but some have been lost like Cowdale Farm and Carlton Lodge. Gedling Lodge is where Mapperley Golf Club is now. It was at one time a shooting lodge of the Earls of Chesterfield and Carnarvon. King Edward VII, when Prince of Wales, stayed at Gedling Lodge, on a visit to the late Earl and the whole of this estate was sold by the early 1900s
Coppice House in Nottingham was originally the Coppice Private Asylum, opened in 1859 for fee-paying mental health patients, designed by T.C. Hine and later expanded by his son G.T. Hine, becoming Coppice Hospital under the NHS before closing in 1985. It is now private apartments called Hine Hall. The Royal Oak Inn on Burton Road in Carlton is shown, which dates from 1832 and since 1984 is known as the Inn For A Penny.
I grew up here, lived in Carlton (brick works), Netherfield, Gedling and Arnold. So much has changed, Netherfield isn’t even shown, and my house there was built around 1900. I never knew there was a Workhouse at the top of Stoke Lane. Fascinating, thanks for sharing. – Colin Daniel
I’m in Netherfield – it’s not even shown, yet the two stations are in existence. And the Spring Head in Colwick – can’t quite tell where exactly that is. Wonder if it’s what causes the water issues along there, a few homes flooded a couple of years ago on Vale Road… – Clare Selwood
I’m not sure this is totally accurate for 1890 – East Wood missing its Cottage. And Gedling Manor, Wood Ln – also confusingly known as Gedling Lodge – is usually associated with the Duke of Chesterfield and shooting. Would be interested to hear more of any association with the diminutive Gedling Lodge, though! – Alexandra Green
Used to play at what was Carr Mill as a kid. Always wondered what it was as just waste ground then. Lived on Chandos Road that wasn’t there then. The Derbyshire extension runs from Colwick sidings. Also used to play there after it was ripped up. – Mark Roddis
Footpaths v Roads
On 25th January, we noticed that work had started on a new section of pavement near Mellish Rugby Club on Mapperley Plains. We posted:
It’s taken over four years from petition to production but we are told that the pavement (footpath) is now under construction on Mapperley Plains.
When completed, this pavement will link the existing one (that meets Mellish RUFC) with the footpath 100m metres further on.
This will mean that you can walk safely from Mapperley Top to Woodborough, without using the road verges. 🚶♂️🚶♀️
Here’s the original feature.
https://www.mapperleypeople.co.uk/are-our-footpaths-fit…
Opinion was mixed
We bought our house with the understanding that a bus route is there but it got taken away, no way of getting anyway without at least a 25 min walk, would be good to be able to get to Gedling & BJ, we are going to move house instead now! – Jo Akerman
Part of the planning agreement for the Davidson Homes, was a sum of 30k towards a new bus stop. I would like to know where that money went! because it certainly wasn’t spent on the bus stop.- Jeanette Hudson
It’s a nervous walk, even when using the actual footpath to the Travellers Rest. Cars go flying by 🙃 – Lewis Hampshire
Once again, we have a footpath being built that 10 people per day might use, when we have roads that have 6 inch deep potholes that 1000’s of car use everyday – why? – Richard Marshall
Mapperley’s Gladiator
We have another homegrown sporting talent in our midst.🤼♂️Winona Makanji is 31yrs old and was born and raised locally in Arnold
Known by her ring name Kanji, she is an English professional wrestler, currently working as a freelancer.
She has wrestled for British independent scene companies such as Progress Wrestling, where she is a two-time Progress Wrestling World Women’s Champion, Pro-Wrestling: EVE and Revolution Pro Wrestling, the latter where she was a Southside Women’s Champion.
With the return of Gladiators to our screens, her mother Xara recently posted:
My daughter is lit up at Wembley arena! I’m so proud, Arnold’s homegrown talent!
Peter Abrahart joined in the praise:
Amazing! You’re Kanjis Mum!!! As a fan of RevPro I will be there cheering her on. I’m also a sports photographer and University Lecturer who will hopefully be catching up with her sometime this year for a book I’m writing on Wrestling so great to make a connection to my beloved Arnold!
Xara told us:
She’s an independent wrestler but wrestles for some huge companies! She’s not long back from Mexico, Spain and Germany and is preparing to go to India mid Feb!
Go Kanji 🤼♂️💪