From the way the street is referred to in the Records, there might have been a change of title only, whereas it was thoroughly transformed from a contracted into a wide and excellent thoroughfare, relating to which, with change of name, a few words in explanation undoubtedly ought to have been given in the Records.
Respecting Beck Barn, it does not appear to have been known to Thoroton in 1677, nor do I remember seeing any reference to it in the Records, which have been brought down to 1702. I believe that in history it is first mentioned by Deering, and the name was probably first given in the 18th century. Deering and some other writers term it Beck Barns (plural), but when looking through various old poll books it will be seen that practically all the voters call it Beck Barn, and I therefore prefer it.
In Beck Barn, the old Nottingham Pottery was situated, the site of which for many years has been occupied by the engineering and iron works of Messrs. Cowen. My large scale plan shows that in 1800 there were no buildings on the east side, and but few to the west of Beck Barn, until the pottery was reached, which appears to be of good size. Tradition says that there was once a cotton mill on the ground, yet nothing definite could be made out, but, with the aid of my unique plan, I have been enabled to explain, for on it, included among the pottery buildings, a cotton mill is shown as existing in 1800.
About 1831 I consider was the period when what is now termed Bath Street was formed, at the lower end of Beck Street, and between St. Mary's cemetery and Messrs. Cowen's, "Beck Works." It was a much needed and far shorter main road to Sneinton from that locality. Respecting Lameleigate (Lambley Gate) as mentioned above, it applied to the road by St. Ann's Well to what Middlepavement to get to Fletcher Gate, and the angle of the buildings is hollowed out to suit the ring; therefore the position seems decided.
In the Records, vol. iv., the bullring is twice referred to, and on page 194, 1580, Lorence Worth is paid 3s. 4d. "for mending the Bull Ryng at Wekeday Crose end," &c. This appears to agree with the old plan, for at the place named it was at the "end" of Weekday Cross, and part of the bullring would probably be in Monthallgate. On the other occasion, "the Bull Ringe" was reported "to want raylinge." Another time a seat was repaired, therefore some persons would be sitting while the baiting was in progress. There was, however, though at a somewhat later date, another and much larger place where bull baiting occurred.
Deering, on page 125, tells us that "The Butchers in Times past, when ever they had a Mind to Kill a Bull, they were obliged first to bait him in the Market-Place, for which Purpose there used to be a Ring fix'd in the Ground, and Mrs. Mayoress, was to find a Rope, for which she has the Consideration of one shilling, of every one who takes up his freedom of the Town. At this time Bull baiting is disused, and instead of it the Butchers pay to the Lady of the Mayor 3s. and 4d. called Pin-Money, for every Bull they Kill." In an old book of account, dating twenty-one years after the publication of Deering's history, in 1772, is the following:—"The Mayoress for Pinns 6s. 8d.," which would account for the death of two bulls.
It is interesting to trace a number of names to streets and other places which, taken from different places outside England, have at various dates been adopted in Nottingham, the most prolific cause no doubt being war. One of the earliest is Blenheim Terrace, from a battle won against the French in 1704, by the British and Germans mainly, the Duke of Marlborough commanding. Marshal Tallard, the French commander, with many other officers and men, was taken prisoner, and he, with a number of other officers of rank, was detained in Nottingham. For some years he resided in the old town mansion once belonging to the Newdigate family, at the upper end of Castle Gate on its north-western side.
In date, what is now entitled Gibraltar Place, but until about 1846 termed Gibraltar Streights or Straits, in Bellar Gate, probably comes next. It may possibly have acquired the name in 1704, when Gibraltar was taken, though I incline to the belief that it was adopted at or near the time of the noted siege (1779-1781). It is designated "Gibralter Streights" on my unique plan (1800). The next is probably Bunker's Hill, which, as previously mentioned, was the name of an early battle in the American War of Independence. Washington Street celebrates the name of their chief general. We have Nile Street (1798), Trafalgar Street (1805), Nelson Street, Victory Yard, &c., to commemorate our most famous admiral and his ship. Waterloo Road, Waterloo Crescent, Wellington Circus, &c., &c., to keep in memory our most noted soldier of the last century. His last and greatest opponent has not, however, been overlooked, for we have Napoleon Terrace; nor is a determined helper of Wellington forgotton, for Blucher Terrace can also be found.
Navarino Terrace may be known to some, given in memory of a noted naval battle in 1827, in connection with the Grecian War of Independence, when the allied fleet almost destroyed the Turkish fleet, and the Greeks soon afterwards succeeded in gaining their freedom from the Turks. There is not much to connect us with the Crimean War (1854-56), but we have Alma Street, and for many years the west side of the south end of Newcastle Street, Parliament Street, was entitled Alma Corner, but it has now disappeared. The Sepoy revolt or war in India (1857-58) supplied a few names, such as Calcutta Street, Lucknow Road, Delhi Cottages, &c.
From the Zulu War of 1879 we derived Ekow Road and Isandula Road, and from the Egyptian War of 1882, Kebir Terrace and Cairo Street. The Boer War in South Africa provided us with Mafeking Terrace and Ladysmith Road. From the Franco-German War of 1870 we were supplied with two names, not of battles but of men, in Bismarck Square, after the German statesman, and Bazaine Terrace, after the French marshal. We have one reminder of the Burmese War of 1885-86, in Man-dalay Street, that being the capital of the present province.
There seems to be but one appellation derived from the Soudan War, which is Soudan Terrace. Respecting the war in Abyssinia there appears to be one reminder only: Magdala was stormed 13th April, 1868, and we have Magdala Road. Garfield Road is named after the American President, who was basely assassinated in 1881, and Garibaldi Terrace derived its title from the well-known Italian liberator, and Livingstone Street keeps in mind the well-known missionary and discoverer in Central Africa. A few names which were adopted many years ago from similar sources have since been discontinued.
During my early years, in Nottingham and most places in England there were no policemen, such as we now have, perambulating the town, regulating the traffic, &c.; for the guardians of the peace were then termed constables. Sir Robert Peel was responsible for the introduction of policemen, about the year 1842, and from him they were frequently entitled "Peelers" and "Bobbys," and I believe that even now the latter name is applied to them by many people. In their early days they wore a top hat, which was turned up at the brims, and the edge of the crown with a bright and black material, possibly leather.
At this period the town was much smaller than at present, and the business then done was, I believe, more than proportionately less. In my remembrance, and even since the introduction of policemen, a notable change has occurred in the bustle of the town thoroughfares, which has enormously increased while the town has been extending its boundaries. During the same period, as occasion required, numerous enlargements, and even new additions, have been made to the streets and other avenues in the old part of the town, to give increased facilities for business.
I will give a list of places for stationary policemen during 1909, in Nottingham, engaged to assist in regulating the traffic.
Near the bottom of Derby Road
At the bottom of Market Street
At the bottom of King Street
At the bottom of Pelham Street
At the top of Clumber Street
At the bottom of Victoria Street
At the top of Wheeler Gate
In St. Peter's Square
At the bottom of Low Pavement
At the bottom of Lister Gate
At the south end of Carrington Street
Against the Midland Railway Station
Against tramcars at Trent Bridge
At the top of Goose Gate
At the east end of Shakespeare Street
At the bottom of Finkhill Street
At the bottom of Hollow Stone
Two or three at the Castle, as needed
One or two at the Arboretum, as needed
At times where Boulevards cross main roads
One patrol inspector (Taylor)
At Finkhill Street and probably another place, a policeman is stationed there during a throng portion of the day only. In 1843 policemen were not needed for such purposes.