Description:
This view shows Nightingale's shop (affectionately known as 'Nighto's' locally) on the corner of Hawthorn Street and Bosworth Road during the floods that inundated the low-lying Meadows area of Nottingham in 1947. Three women are said to be trapped in the upstairs of the shop and a basket appears to be in use for supplying them with provisions. The multitude of (mainly enamel) advertising signs for Lyons Tea, Cherry Blossom boot polish, Craven 'A' and Park Drive cigarettes, Tizer (a soft drink), and Oxo stock cubes are all very characteristic of small corner shops like this example. The photographer is standing in Hawthorn Street looking north-eastwards with Bosworth Street in the background at right angles. With the wholesale clearance of The Meadows area in the 1970s not only where all the houses, shops and pubs demolished but the old streets were also obliterated and this view today would be located at the eastern extremity of Ainsworth Drive, both Bosworth Road and Hawthorn Street having been wiped from the map.
The flooding resulted from exceptionally cold weather which swept in from Russia bringing snow and frost. As the snows melted, the River Trent burst its banks at Wilford and West Bridgford, the floodwaters reaching as far north as Nottingham Midland railway station with a maximum height (presumably above sea level) of 79 feet and 4 inches recorded on the 19 February 1947. As a result, houses in Wilford had water up to second floor bedroom level. Army amphibious 'Duck' landing craft (see NCCS000305) and Sea Scouts in boats evacuated people marooned in their dwellings, while 700 volunteers helped rescue and bring relief to those affected. The harsh weather came at a particularly bad time after the Second World War, when people were still suffering rationing and caused severe hardship for many.
Picture the Past is grateful to website contributor Ray Goodall for identifying the location of this image.