1939 Map
In 1939, Ellis Street ran from Station Street to Pond Street. Now, the configuration has changed and Ellis Street ends at a roundabout. Pond Street is to the left with a short continuation of Pond Street ahead leading to Lowmoor Road. To the right is an exit from Morrison’s car park.
1 Ellis Street
Initially, I thought that the building on the corner of Station Street and Ellis Street was 33-35 Station Street. This houses The Posh Meze Grill and Bar. However, their address is given as 1 Ellis Street.
The Posh Meze Grill and Bar
The Posh Meze Grill and Bar has been on the corner of Station Street and Ellis Street since at least August 2021. However, in September 2020, the building looked empty. In March 2019, there was a sign up saying that the Posh Bar and Grill was “coming soon” but presumably it was delayed by COVID. In July 2018, there was a sign saying Wilbourn’s but I think this may have been an old sign showing through.
Ashfield Dry Cleaners
From June 2015 to September 2017, the building on the corner of Station Street and Ellis Street housed Ashfield Dry Cleaners although they appear to have moved over the road to number 52.
Wilbourn’s Garden Centre
From at least October 2008 to April 2011, Wilbourn’s Garden Centre was in the building on the corner of Station Street and Ellis Street. It must have been there for some time. Edith Searson, writing in the 1980s, referred to a garden centre there. She said, “the shop [Kirby’s] stood where the garden centre’s plants and shrubs have, until last year, been exhibited. I have been told, and I think it could be true, that this piece of land is eventually, and before too long, going to be the road leading to the new market, now in the process of being built. Anyway, we shall see in due course“.
Also a Pet Shop
In addition to being a garden centre, this branch of Wilbourn’s also operated as a pet shop. This is confirmed from adverts and also people’s memories.
Sue Hardy, in a comment on Annesley OC Heritage Extra Facebook page noted that it was a pet shop and gardening shop for Wilbourn’s. Catherine Jane Powell commented on Kirkby-in-Ashfield People Facebook Group that when she was about 10 back in the 70s, “Wilbourns had tortoise for sale in that gap round the side.” Nicola Arnold recalled buying a goldfish from Wilbourn’s pet shop in about 1995. She noted, “I think it was Alan who worked there, a lovely bloke and the fish lived about 5 years“. Sharon Griffiths confirmed that “Alan Butcher managed the shop for years & the lovely Joan Hilton worked there too. Joan was a mine of information about small animals.“
Was that Shop Used as an Off-Licence?
Was this building used at some point by Wilbourn’s as an off-licence? In a comment, Mike Peat thought that it was. Mike notes that, “when Frank Wilbourne had the corner shop as an off licence – this would be 35 years ago – he was one of only four Masters of Wine in the country. This is a global organisation which was very prodigious at the time and quite difficult to get into. There is now only one listed Master of Wine in the UK.” Catherine Powell commented that it had also been a pet shop. In response to this, Mike noted that it was still an off licence until at least 1989 as “my wife and myself got married in that year, and Frank gave us some very good advice on sparkling wine for the wedding“.
On balance, most contributors considered that this shop was a garden and pet shop with the off-licence at Wilbourne’s other premises at 60 Station Street.
Dr Waller’s House and Surgery
Dr Waller’s house and surgery occupied 1 Ellis Street. Heather Mulholland, on Kirkby Living Memory Facebook Group, thought that Dr Waller’s extended to 3 Ellis Street and that this was later owned by Wilbourn’s. She noted that her parents rented 3 Ellis Street in 1959 when they opened their electrical business. Frank Ball also recalled that the premises on Ellis Street were used by an electrician, Mr Kalynycz.
C Kalynycz
I am grateful to Heather Mulholland, on Kirkby Living Memory Facebook Group, for explaining that this electrical and lighting business belonged to her parents. She noted, “my parents’ electrical and lighting business was actually in my mother’s name C (Clarice) Kalynycz, the reason for this being when my father arrived in the UK in 1947 as a displaced person from the Ukraine the rules within the UK stated that as a foreign alien my father could not have a bank account or own a business, hence the business was in my mother’s name. My father became a naturalised British Citizen in 1961, but the business remained as C Kalynycz until they retired in 1997, the business was then at 42 Station Street.“
She further explained that her parents started the business at 3 Ellis Street and then, when Wilbourn’s wanted to extend into number 3, they moved across the road to number 2 Ellis Street which they rented from the TSB. Then, when the TSB wanted to modernise their premises which meant extending into number 2 Ellis Street, “my parents bought the old Co-operative Chemist at 42 Station Street“.
Memories of C Kalynycz
In comments on Facebook, a number of people recalled this shop and family positively. Megan Finney noted going here for “some shades“. Carol Jones got ceiling shades here for her first house in Vernon Road. Jean Bradley commented that Mr and Mrs Kalynycz were “lovely, lovely people… you could get anything you wanted from their shop“. Alwyn Bowskill recalled that they later moved to larger premises on Urban Road.
Megan Finney had known Michael at school and Lynn Buxton-Wood noted going to school with Angela. Loraine Prewett remembered them living on Welbeck Street.
Photographs
There is a photograph in “Kirkby & District from Old Photographs” by Frank Ashley, Sylvia Sinfield and Gerald Lee (p68) which shows where Dr Waller used to live on Station Street. There is a similar photo in “A Carnival Crown and a Roasted Ox” by Mark Ashfield (p26). According to Mark Ashfield’s book “Christmas Pigs and a Summer Donkey” (p20), Dr Waller’s house was on the corner of Ellis Street. On both their walks, Mark Ashfield and Edith Searson took detours up Ellis Street to Dr Waller’s house and surgery. This surgery is listed on Jacques’ List of Station Street retailers circa 1920-1940.
Mark Ashfield’s Memories of Dr Waller
Mark Ashfield noted that Dr Waller’s surgery was on the corner of Ellis Street opposite the TSB. However, he imagined that he saw him out and about walking as, apparently, this was not an uncommon sight. He would go to the Summit end of Kirkby and way down Lindley’s Lane on the same morning. He was a heavy smoker and was known for drinking multiple cups of tea when making his house calls. Mark Ashfield summarised that “the three ‘T’s of tobacco, tannin and trudging formed an integral part of his daily round“.
Edith Searson’s Memories of Dr Waller
Edith Searson also recalled seeing Dr Waller walking places. She noted that what she particularly remembered “was he invariably walked in the road, to be precise, in the gutter. I suppose the reason for this would be, he could get along quicker, than keep passing people on the pavement.” She noted that the Wallers had two children Joan and Peter. Joan later married Dr Durance who became Dr Waller’s partner.
Other Memories of Dr Waller
In a discussion on the Kirkby-in-Ashfield People Facebook Group, Kath Williams noted that her father had been born on Ellis Street in 1923. He often spoke of Dr Waller, “sometimes when he made a home visit my grandma would have a pan of stew on the stove and he’d say my goodness Nelly that smells good and my grandma would invite him to sit down with the family and have dinner with them“.
In a discussion on Kirkby Living Memory Facebook Group, Joan Ware recalled that “Dr Waller had a stack of Craven A cigarettes on the examination couch along the back wall. He always called me the little bleeder. I had frequent nose bleeds. Nowadays your nose would be cauterized.” Susan Sparkes recalled that Dr Waller always had a cigarette in his mouth. Joan Ware remembered him as “very gentle. You walked into the dark waiting area, seating around the room edge you joined the queue, one in move up till you got to the door and your turn . No receptionist to say were full. And I remember him coming to the house when I had whooping cough so bad. He is one of my first memories.” Dorothy Shirley noted that he used to be her doctor.
In a comment on Kirkby-in-Ashfield People Facebook Group, Pat Hallam noted that her grandmother, Priscilla Cooke of Marlborough Road used to do the laying out of bodies for Dr Waller. Pat remembered going to his surgery “as a little girl“.
My Family’s Experiences of Dr Waller
The first mention of Dr Waller in grandad’s diaries is in February 1934 when he examined grandma when she was expecting mum.
Dr Waller continued to treat the family until 1955, when he must have been 78. So, he had been one of the family’s doctors for more than 20 years. Mrs Waller was active in the community. For example, Mrs A B Waller won the fruit cake category of the cake-making competition at the Kirkby Carnival in 1935.
Dr Waller died, on 1 September 1959, aged 82. Both mum and grandad recorded this in their diaries. According to mum, he died at West Bridgford Nursing Home and, according to grandad, at Newstead Nursing Home.
I found a news article concerning Dr Waller’s death from the Nottingham Evening News of 3 September 1959. This confirmed that he had been a doctor in Kirkby for 46 years. Dr Waller was born and trained in London. He met his wife at Ryde Hospital where she was a senior sister. Then, he worked in Ilkeston for three years before moving to Kirkby. He was associated with the British Red Cross Society and was a member of St Thomas’s Church. Also, he was a founder member of the Kirkby Lodge of Freemasons. He was buried in Kingsway New Cemetery.
Residents of Ellis Street
From 1911 to 1939, there were 47 households living in Ellis Street. There were 46 in 1901.
Residents of 1-3 Ellis Street
The Wallers
In 1939, Dr Arthur Beaumont and Annie Milner Waller were living at 1 Ellis Street as was Ellen Rayson, presumably a servant. No-one was recorded as living at 3 Ellis Street in 1939.
In 1921, the Wallers address was given as Ellenslea, Ellis Street. In addition to Dr and Mrs Waller, there were their two children, Frances Joan (b1909) and Robert Bevin (b1912). Also with them were three visitors, Jessie Mildred Carter, Audrey Webber and Katherine Annie Webber (all aged 8-11) and a servant, Hilda Bullimore. In 1911, the Wallers were living at 116 Victoria Road.
Dr and Mrs Waller had married in Islington in 1906. Her maiden name was Carr. In addition to Frances Joan and Robert Bevin I found details of a Marjorie M Waller. However, she was born and died the same year, 1915.
The Roomes
In 1921, there was no-one recorded as living at 1 Ellis Street but perhaps it was known as Ellenslea at that time. Alfred and Beatrice E Roome were living at 3 Ellis Street with their son Alfred (b1919). Alfred was working as a hewer at Bentinck Colliery. Staying with them were Jack E and Norah Smith. He was also working as a hewer at Bentinck Colliery.
The Mackenzies
In 1911, John and Helen Mackenzie were living at 1 Ellis Street. His middle initial has been transcribed as W but I believe it was M for Monro or Munro. With them was a visitor, John Edward McLaren, and two servants, Bella Munro and Alice Meads. Dr Mackenzie was listed as a physician and surgeon. There was no listing for 3 Ellis Street. John McKenzie was also at 1 Ellis Street in 1901 although there is a variation in spelling of surname and his wife’s name is given as Ellen. Their niece Barbara McKenzie (b1893) was staying with them as was a domestic servant, Maggie Bird.
I thought I had not come across Dr Mackenzie before. However, he is mentioned in a news cutting my mum had related to a walk “Kirkby Lad” made to Larch Farm in the sixties, see Chapter 3. Mum kept it because it mentioned the Parkins. But, it also referred to Dr Mackenzie and noted that his recipe for good health was “to have a walk over the Forest Hill towards Larch Farm and inhale plenty of God’s fresh and free air”.
Also, in 1910, Dr Mackenzie was called as a medical witness in a legal case between my great grandfather Henry Parkin and a furniture dealer, Henry Goadby, see Chapter 47.
Dr Mackenzie’s Death
I am grateful to Christine Evans for sharing with me notice of Dr Mackenzie’s death which appeared in the Kirkby Free Press in January 1913. It noted that he had been taken ill about one year previously and was confined to his room for a long time. He improved a little and was transferred to Drumdevan, Inverness where it was hoped he would recover. But, he deteriorated and died. His body was returned to Kirkby and he was buried in St Wilfrid’s Churchyard. He was only 54 when he died.
Scottish Roots
The article noted that Dr John Monro Mackenzie was a native of Culkein, Assynt. He held medical qualifications from both Edinburgh (LRCP/LRCS) and Glasgow (LFPS). Previously, he had worked in Ventnor and had arrived in Kirkby some 20 years earlier, in around 1893. He was noted for his energy and cheery optimism which made him many friends and helped build up his practice. He was Medical Officer for Kirkby and was considered an authority on infant mortality. One of his last public engagements was attending the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Salvation Army Citadel.
More Articles
Later, I found other news articles about Dr Mackenzie’s death and funeral. For example, an article in the Mansfield Reporter of 10 January 1913 noted that his funeral had taken place the previous Saturday and had been noted by thousands lining the streets. Another article in the same paper noted that Dr Mackenzie had been fondly remembered at a Council meeting. However, an article in the Nottingham Journal of December 23 1912 seems to indicate that the funeral took place on 21 December 1912. An article in the Nottingham Journal on 18 December 1912 noted that Dr Mackenzie had died the previous day.
Photo and Biographical Summary
I also found a photo and biographical summary which I believe dates to 1901.
Annual Report
As Medical Officer of Health, Dr Mackenzie produced annual public health reports. I found the one for 1900 online. The report runs to around 28 pages and is addressed to the local council. It describes the area and gives some vital statistics, e.g. birth rate which, at 42.6 per 1,000, was around four times the current UK rate. The death rate, of 20.1 per 1,000 was around double the current UK rate. The infant mortality rate, of 204.4 per 1,000 births was around 50 times the current UK rate. The main causes of infant death were respiratory infections and diarrhoeal disease. One encouraging trend reported was a reduction in the number of typhoid cases.
Ellis Street in Carnival
In 2010, Leanne Allen posted a picture on the Kirkby-in-Ashfield People Facebook Group which was said to show the Station Street end of Ellis Street at the time of the 1951 Carnival.
In a review I conducted of Kirkby Carnivals, Ellis Street featured relatively prominently. In 1935, it tied with New Street for third place in the street decorations competition behind Unity Street in first and Alexandra Street, Prospect Street and Byron Street in joint second. Then, in 1937, Ellis Street won the best-decorated street competition.
Also, in 1937, Ellis Street Junior Raggers won second prize in the best comedy group tableaux. In 1939, Ellis Street finished second in this competition behind Byron Street. In 1951, Ellis Street were third in money raised through their street decorations behind Pond Street and Byron Street. Ellis Street raised £7 7s 1d. In 1952, Ellis Street again finished second in the best-decorated street competition behind Sherwood Street.
Memories of Ellis Street
Born on Ellis Street
In a discussion on Kirkby Living Memory Facebook Group, Chris Kidger noted that she had been born on Ellis Street but that all the houses on that street had been demolished in the sixties. Roberta Knight mentioned that her late mother-in-law lived there at one point noting, “she told me that you could go out all day and leave your house unlocked“.
Terraced Houses
In a comment on Kirkby-in-Ashfield People Facebook Group, Gail Allen-Turner noted that Ellis Street had terraced houses on it. Her mother, Yvonne, lived there with her parents, Annie and Levi Hambleton. She noted that Levi Hambleton was the local window cleaner.
The Rowarths
Frank Ball recalled two families of Rowarths at 31 and 33 Ellis Street. In 1939, Thomas A and Dora Rowarth were living at number 31. His occupation was given as coal haulage. One record is closed. William and Ellen Rowarth were at number 33 with their three children, Arthur (b1917), Leonard (b1920) and Jane Evelyn (b1927). William worked as a colliery stoker. Both Arthur and Leonard worked in coal haulage,
The Shirleys
Frank also recalled the Shirley family. According to the 1911 and 1921 censuses, George and Ada Shirley lived at 23 Ellis Street although, in 1911, the surname was transcribed as Shirly. George was described as a coal miner hewer. Living with them were their children, Harriett (b1899), John Henry (b1900), Lois Lillian (b1902), Kate (b1904), James (b1907), George (b1909), Ernest F (b1911), Wilfred (b1914), Victor (b1916), Ada (b1919), Albert (b1920) and Irene (b1921) . Those marked in italics were only present in 1911 while those in bold were present in both 1911 and 1921. Those born in or after 1911 only appeared in the 1921 census.
Harriet appeared in both censuses but, by 1921, she was under her married name, Fenning. Her husband Arthur and daughter Doris, were also with her. Also with the Shirleys in both censuses was Ada’s father John White. He was described as a coal miner hewer. In 1921, Lois Lillian was working as a new clip sorter in a waste cloth factory and James was a pony driver at Summit Colliery. Arthur Fenning worked as a hewer at Summit Colliery.
The Fletchers
Christine Wright noted that she was born on Ellis Street in 1963 but that the family had to move around 1965 when the house they were living in was demolished. Her parents were Howard (Bob) and Sheila Fletcher. They had two other children, Robert (b1961) and Sandra (b1964).
Back Entrance to Newcombes
Helen Jay noted that the back entrance to Newcombes was off Ellis Street. Her father, Tom Wright, who worked at Newcombes used to park his car there.