Description: This view was taken from Old Clifton Bridge, with the River Trent on the left and Clifton Grove. The farm was also known as 'The Prince of Wales Farm'. This was allegedly bought by Edward, the Prince of Wales (who later became Edward VIII) to facilitate his affair with the married daughter of a Nottingham lace magnate. They had met whilst he was attending a Valentines Ball in London, when outside the air raid warning sounded, warning of the danger of a German Zeppelin raid. Passing by, Freda Ward (ne Birkin) took shelter at the dance, and ended up dancing the night away with Prince Edward. This was to be the start of a 'romance' that lasted until about 1933. Although starting slowly the liaison gathered intensity and although known to officialdom the facts were kept from the public at large, but by 1927 the Prince bought a local farm - Grove Farm on the banks of the River Trent at Lenton, where his liaison continued, unbeknown to the public at large who had been informed that the Prince had purchased the farm to extend his agricultural base and to provide a base for his love of riding to the hounds. It is interesting to note that when purchasing the farm the Prince was accompanied by Charles Birkin, father of Freda who lived close by. It has not been established if the King knew of the events in Nottingham but it was reported that he had asked the Prince to give up his 'Nottingham pursuits' (publicly said to be hunting) and in return to use Fort Belvedere a residence within the grounds of Windsor Park. This he eventually did but his affair with Freda continued, she being responsible for much of the refurbishment at Fort Belvedere. The affair with Freda gradually waned. Freda of course, was only one of a number of ladies that the Prince 'spent time' with and eventually one - Mrs Wallace Simpson stole his heart, causing Edward to abdicate his crown. The farm at Lenton was sold in 1933 passing through the hands of George Shelton, John William Burnett and his wife Nellie, passed to their son Colin Burnett and thus in 1960 to Nottingham University where it became part of their sports facilities. (Information extracted from the web site of John H Burnett)