We all know the ruins of Middlebeck Farm. We pass the location when we travel along Mapperley Plains near Coppice Road and Brookfields Garden Centre, but what happened to it?
Thanks to a recent post on the Arnold Community Group and the contributions, we have some interesting information.
This is Middlebeck Farm, taken in 1976 by local photographer Reg Baker. Reg’s photos are identifiable as he cycled everywhere and his trusty old cycle featured in most of his photographs. Many are published on the Picture Nottingham website.
Why has it been derelict for so long?
Paul Key told us:
I recall it being occupied and slowly decaying until assisted with some later designed demolition. It appears to have been in the possession of Holdfast Investment since at least 1979, until the last recorded planning application in 2005. Plans for residential development was refused for being outside of permitted development area. Subsequent applications were submitted to rebuild farm and buildings or reuse for stabling, tack-room and storage. Conditional planning was granted but never undertaken.
It would appear that it was deliberately left to become derelict.
It was partially demolished in the interests safety leaving sections to be included in the perimeter wall.
Memories of Middlebeck Farm
Aileen told us:
I spent most of my young life riding and mucking out stables there. Riding in the orchard on the right hand side and eating damsons straight from the tree and pears. Lovely.
Nigel Turner was able to add an interesting family connection:
My family lived there in the mid 1800s. My great great grandfather was a member of the Scott family. His daughter married my great grandfather. The Scott family remains strong in Arnold. The family had a very dark complexion. I did a DNA test which revealed we are from the Iberian Peninsula which is Spain. Grandma who used to live there told me there was a duck pond at the top of what is now Coppice Road.
Wendy told us:
My friend had the lease on Middlebeck for many years in the 70’s. It was used to stable horses, oh and a rescue pig called Olive for a short time. I worked at the farm in my spare time with my best friend.. we practically lived there. Have some lovely memories. We ripped the bath out of the old farm house to use as a trough. The buildings were in a bit of a state even then, but it was our home from home. Sad to see it now. And yes I remember the orchard, I fell out of one of the apple tree’s on my 15th birthday… happy days…
There is even a rumour that a group of residents who live opposite bought the land so it could never be built on.
If you have any memories or information on Middlebeck Farm, we would love to hear from you.
Wendy
My friend had the lease on Middlebeck for many years in the 70’s. It was used to stable horses, oh and a rescue pig called Olive for a short time. I worked at the farm in my spare time with my best friend.. we practically lived there. Have some lovely memories. We ripped the bath out of the old farm house to use as a trough. The buildings were in a bit of a state even then, but it was our home from home. Sad to see it now. And yes I remember the orchard, I fell out of one of the apple tree’s on my 15th birthday… happy days…
Editor
That’s a great memory Wendy. We’ll add this to the article. Many thanks
Editor
That’s a great memory Wendy. We’ll add this to the article. Many thanks
Lynsey Blackburn
I kept my pony here in 1986/87 wonderful memories of growing up around such lovely people, I used to cycle from my house in mapperley with my saddle across the handlebars on the weekends, most of us used to ride to the local horse show in lambley with our ponies and horses all plaited up and saddles and bridles gleaming .
Editor
Thanks for sharing that memory with us Lynsey.
Deborah
I kept my horse at Middlebeck Farm in the early 70s My mum had a bad fall from my horse one Sunday afternoon.
My horse bolted with my mum and stopped dead at the wall in front of the farm house but she had no broken bones only Mr Driver looking over the wall at her.
A young couple Mr and Mrs Driver was living there then modernising the farm house.
John Woodward was the person we paid our rent to he had his own milk round business in Arnold and married Sharon who kept her horse at the yard .Christine had a lovely pony called Paddy who was also at Middlebeck she lived on Coppice road.
We was given notice by John and had to find somewhere quick for the horses.
My mum and Dad had just sold their paper shop in Arnold and we was lucky to find a field on Calverton Road Arnold The land belonged to Mr Morris an undertaker who had retired.
We had many happy years there next to Mr Jones the farmer.
It’s now all built on but at least Middlebeck farm in its dilapidated state is still standing and could tell a few tales.
Editor
That’s a fantastic memory Deborah. Thanks for sharing it with us.