Silverdale, Nottingham

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Silverdale Estate, Wilford, Nottingham, England

Originally constructed by George Wimpey in the late 1950's on land from the former Wilwell Farm. Bounded by the Clifton Estate, Fairham Brook, Compton Acres (formerly the Wilford Brick Works) and the former GCR rail line, Wilford Village and Ruddington Village. Not initially known as 'Silverdale' it was the Ruddington Lane Estate.

Constructed as a private estate unlike Clifton to its east approximately 450+ brick dwellings were built over a three year period. Built with only one access road, but several footpaths, it had no direct public transport service. Silverdale did not and does still not have its own schools, Government or otherwise.

Constructed with its own Public House at the entrance to the estate on the corner of the A52 and A453. The Clifton Bridge Inn or "The Ponderosa" to the locals and small shopping precinct built on Monksway. The original retailers being, hairdresser, chemist, dry cleaners, off licence, newsagency, butcher, Lipton grocers, hardware and Fruiterer. Over time these shops have changed business and some are now vacant.

A community centre was constructed in the early 1970's from donations by the Silverdale residents in the form of "Buy a Brick". A youth club was the initial idea and was well supplied with activities and supported by the local youth. The Silverdale Community Centre is thriving and has several user groups ranging from child care, pre-school and sporting groups.

As Silverdale has no schools early children were able to access several primary and comprehensive schools in Clifton, nearby Ruddington Lane and public schools in Nottingham.

Brooksby Primary, Brooksby Lane Clifton (later burnt down and now a derelict site) Farnborough Comprehensive Farnborough Rd, Clifton (Farnborough School Technical) Charnwood Compehensive Farnborough Rd, Clifton (South Nottingham College) Fairham Comprehensive Farnborough Rd Clifton Fairham Community College)

Children also accessed South Wilford Endowed Primary, Wilford and several other senior public schools located in Nottingham CBD.

In April 2008 The NCC approved plans for the re-development of the former Brooksby Primary School site, as an Aged Care facility. Replacing a similar facility on Sturegon Avenue "The Spinney" and to increase the numbers of beds for residents in the Silverdale and Wilford areas. (Source Nottm Evening Post 29/05/09)

The initial public transport to Silverdale did not enter the estate. Bartons Buses (now Trent Barton) and the former Nottingham City Transport NCT now Nottingham Express Transit (NET) provided existing services from Ruddington Lane and Clifton Boulevard. In recent times the NET has provided a 7 day service to Silverdale from Monksway.

Fairham Brook from which the Fairham Compehensive School, now Fairham Community School took its name, runs from its source, believed to be around the Ruddington area, through the low lying flood plain of Clifton and Silverdale, to the River Trent.

On several occasions 'The Brook" as it is known to locals, flooded across large tracts of land, housing in Silverdale or Clifton was not affected, as the land is higher. Several playing fields were flooded for approximately two weeks. With the construction of the former Brooksby Primary School, its course was diverted. The writer of this entry recalls two floods in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Causing much merriment as 'no school today' was the cry. The NCC Education Dept, funded a raised footpath from the school gate on the Clifton side of Fairham Brook to the higher ground close to the Primary School buildings, so alleviating any lost academic activity for students.

The second flood occurred after the flood bank stabilisation project had been completed in the early 1970's. The floodbank, the writer recalls was a success and the playing fields on the Silverdale Estate were under water for two weeks. The NCC playground, Silverdale Community Centre and access to both Brooksby, Farnborough and Fairham schools was unimpeded. It should be noted that on closer inspection the floodbank at several points on The Downs did start to subside, though 'experts at the time' declared this to be 'quite normal'

Silverdale did boast a football team, Silverdale United albeit shortlived, in the early 1970's. They were successful in England and in Europe. Drawing its players from the estate and Clifton.

References: http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/nottinghamshire/reserves/wilwell_farm.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilford http://www.thisiswilford.org.uk/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifton%2C_Nottinghamshire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compton_Acres http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruddington

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Central_Railway

http://www.farnborough.ik.org/ http://www.snc.ac.uk/college/essential/howtoget.htm http://www.axcis.co.uk/25040.html