Neighbours in a city suburb where 'cars were burnt down and kids caused havoc' on how their area has improved in recent years. Mentioning old pubs, the Victoria Embankment and shopping in the area, people in The Meadows feel the bad reputation the area once had is a thing of the past.
The Meadows is home to the Bridgeway Shopping Precinct, independent shops, churches, the Queens Walk Community Centre and a local library. With West Bridgford and the city centre not too far, people in The Meadows have had only positive things to say with little criticism.
Robert Bosworth, 68 has lived in The Meadows for 42 years. Now retired, he speaks highly of the area.
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He said: “The community sticks together. We used to have a lot of pubs: the Spinning Jenny, The Greyhound and Riverway - they were all good pubs.”
Speaking about what The Meadows is in need of, Robert said: “I think we need another shop, maybe a Tesco Express or an ASDA. The price of living is going up as we all know.
“20 years ago, this was quite a bad place to live. Cars were burnt down and kids were causing havoc but now, it’s a lot better.”
Lisa Allsop, 46 has lived in The Meadows since she was 6. The full-time mum said: “I’ve never had a problem here, it’s a nice place to live, I’ve been here since I was a baby!
“We have a food bank for people to use and people look out for you.”
Lisa continued: “The paddling pool was great, I remember going there, many people were sad to see it go.”
It was confirmed earlier this year that the Victoria Embankment would not reopen. The pool, which opened in the 1940s, needs construction work worth up to £400,000 to get it back in working condition, but it is a price the council simply cannot afford to pay.
Jim Norman, 79 has lived in The Meadows for 30 years. Now retired, Jim previously lived in Woodborough Road.
He said: “I like the Meadows. I miss the pubs, there used to be loads, I used to live in St Ann’s but I remember The Spinning Jenny, I used to go there, the Riverway was rougher and I vaguely remember the Plumtree Arms and then there was Toll Bridge.
“Pubs all over are shutting, communities need them not to get drunk and barred but for a chat and a drink.”
Jim continued: “The area has gotten better in recent years, people use the shops on the precincts and people are friendly enough.”
Shiv Khan, 34 has lived in The Meadows for 3 years. The nurse has 2 daughters.
Originally from Birmingham, she said: “I like it here, we like taking walks down the embankment, using the parks and getting the bus into town, it’s a friendly area.
“When I moved here, I heard from my neighbours about what the area used to be like but nowhere’s perfect. I moved here just before Covid and when the pandemic hit, people checked on others whether they knew you or not.”
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