Town Walk 2025 - Part 04 - Gnome Island
w/e 26 October 2024
All of this week's pictures were
taken with a Nikon D3300, Kodak DX 6490,.Fuji FinePix LSO or a Galaxy S20 Mobile Phone.
This part equates to an alternative route between
Stages 06 and 07 of the original Town Walk from 2003.
From the crossroads where Park
Road crosses Park Avenue and Park Drive the original Town Walk
route took us up Park Road (above left) and into Lime Street
eventually reaching the Catholic Church on Nottingham Road. This
time we're leaving the crossroads and walking the whole length
of Park Drive (above right) to reach Nottingham Road directly.
Many years ago, the view from the end of Park Drive across Nottingham
Road would have shown Kensington Mission (https://sl.bing.net/jK8dmL8EAqi) but this was demolished before the turn of
the century so if we had come this way in 2003 on the original
Town Walk, it would probably have looked similar to this photo
which was taken in December 2013. The view then showed Ilkeston
Glass, a pair of semi-detached houses which I don't think were
ever occupied, and behind was the South East College of Further
Education (SEDC). All of these buildings were scheduled to follow
the example of Kensington Mission and disappear from the landscape
to make way for a new Morrisons supermarket.
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By March of 2014, demolition was well under way.
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The project also necessitated the demolition of the end house
in the terrace next to Park Drive. Notice too the position of
the pedestrian crossing. In the days of Kensington Mission, it
was on the far side of Park Drive but the alterations that were
to follow the 2014 work would mean it would be moved again.
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Just a month later in April 2014 excavations of the carriageway
had started exposing pipes, cables and earlier road levels.
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By May 2014 new kerb lines and central reservations were partially
installed.
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And in June of the same year Nottingham Road had been partially
resurfaced around the newly constructed roundabout.
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In July 2014 the roundabout had been grassed, albeit artificial,
road markings had been painted and the road works were nearing
completion.
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By the 3rd of July 2014, the pedestrian crossing had been re-sited
and was now north of Pedley Street, the track between the building
on the left and the detached house. The associated traffic lights
though were still to be installed.
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By the 24th of the month though the lights were operational and
a couple of gnomes had started squatting on the island.
Just four days later, they had been joined by family and friends
and ever since then they have been regular occupants of the island.
Following a large amount of community support and an ongoing
campaign, the Borough Council agreed that the roundabout would
officially be called Gnome Island.
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The gnomes still occupy the island today and Ilson Gnome, the
leader of the group, now has his own social media presence at
https://www.facebook.com/theilsongnome/.
Today the view from a similar position at the end of Park Drive
to the one at the top of this page taken in 2013, shows only
Gnome Island and the entrance to Morrisons. Gone forever save
for the photos and the memories are Ilkeston Glass, the semi-detached
houses and the SEDC. But long live the gnomes!
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