Sunday 26 October 2014

Spotlight on Radmoor House

Spotlight on Radmoor House
Radmoor House from Radmoor Road, 2014



Here I am again, being influenced by chance comments on facebook, where someone was asking about Radmoor House, a question right up my street, so I decided to look into the history of the house. In truth, it’s been a long time since I’ve actually walked past that particular house, but I have done many times in the past, so it was great to get re-acquainted!





From Radmoor Road


I cannot say for sure, but my research suggests that Radmoor House was built sometime between 1876 and 1881. I’ve come to this conclusion because I cannot find it on the 1871 census, and the person who is living there in 1881 was living in “Victoria Villas” on Victoria Street in 1876. I would guess that it was he who actually had Radmoor House built, as he was rather an influential man.





On 15 October 1832, Arthur Paget was born in Leicester, to parents Thomas (a surgeon) and Ann, and in 1841 they were living on the High Street in Leicester, and Arthur had at least four siblings. In 1848 Arthur moved to London to study at king’s College, and in 1951 was lodging at 101 Great Russell Street. Having completed his studies, Arthur moved back to Leicestershire, and in 1854 he was working for Paget and Wright, and in 1861 he was lodging in Church Gate, Loughborough.

In 1864, Arthur married Rose Ellen Lakin from Powick in Worcestershire, and by 1866 Arthur was running his own company. In 1871 Arthur and Rose were living in Victoria Villa on Victoria Street, with their five children and five servants. I don’t know exactly where Victoria Villa was, but there were actually four of them: Possibly where the flats are now? Arthur, aged about 38, was listed as a mechanical engineer who employed 30 men.

From Radmoor Road



Anyway, in 1876 the Pagets are still living in Victoria Villa, but in 1881 they have moved to Radmoor House, a house which isn’t listed on the 1871 census, but in 1881 was listed next to Burleigh Fields House, the home of Dr John Henry Eddowes. Radmoor House had at least five rooms, and Arthur and Rose were living there with their eight children and seven servants! Arthur was listed as a civil engineer.





Back of Radmoor House showing extensions, from true Lovers Walk
Obviously, Radmoor House was built as a house for life as in 1891 the Paget family, Arthur, Rose and eight children are still living there, but only employed two servants now. Arthur’s occupation is engineer and hosiery machine maker. On 25 March 1895, Arthur died, but I’m not sure what happened to their lovely house, as in 1901 Rose and her daughter, also named Rose, are lodging at number 53 Beaumont Street, Marylebone, London, a boarding house, and Radmoor House is listed as uninhabited. Whether or not the house was unoccupied only on the night of the 1901 census is not clear to me.

The outbuildings to the side, from Radmoor Road




In 1911, Rose and two of her sons are living at The Ridgway, Rothley, and it’s good news for Radmoor House, which is now occupied by Ernest Edwin Coltman, another prominent inhabitant of Loughborough.






A view from the Recreation Ground
Arthur Paget was a manufacturer of knitting, weaving, and other textile machinery: He was also an inventor, and exhibited his steam-powered hosiery knitting machines at the Paris Exhibition in 1889. He built a hosiery factory on Mill Street (which we know as Market street) There were a number of Paget families in Loughborough around the same time, although there is little evidence to suggest they were related. Ernest Edwin Coltman was the son of Huram Coltman, Mayor of Loughborough in 1896-7, and founder of H.Coltman & Sons, who built boilers, and steam engines. In 1911, Ernest was listed on the census as a boiler and steam engine maker (employer). In 1920 the firm of Coltman was taken over by Herbert Morris, although Ernest was employed as a manager.

From True Lovers Walk






Trade directories of 1925 and 1928 show that the Coltman’s are still living in Radmoor House. Ernest died on 27 January 1934: He left a grand sum of £30,422 8s 3d, and the house passed to his wife, where she continued to live until her own death on 28 March 1936.










In The Times of Thursday January 22, 1885, the following advert appeared:


"Governess Wanted, at once, to teach, with competent assistance, six children (ages five to 14), English, French, Music and Latin. Write, stating age, full particulars of education, previous experience, and salary required, to Mrs Arthur Paget, Radmoor Loughborough."

In the July 2nd 1913, issue of the Times, the following notice of marriage appeared:

"Mr. Gerald Paget, youngest son of the late Mr. Arthur Paget Of Radmoor, Loughborough, and Mrs Arthur Paget, of Rothely, Leicestershire, married Winifred Emily Gale." 

I have also managed to find some adverts for January 1937 in which there are adverts for a new nursing home in Loughborough, and for maids, and I think this would be for Radmoor House. There is an advert in 1942 for a professional nurse for Radmoor House, and another mention in 1944. At the end of this article you will find a list of people (some interesting Loughborough names included) living on Radmoor Road, which includes Radmoor House, for various years from 1932 until 1969, from which it can be seen that Radmoor House became Loughborough Nursing Home from 1938: Id rather assumed this was a place for giving birth, but, going by the information that appeared in the newspapers (see directly below) it appears that people were also nursed here in their final days. The latest record Ive found for a birth is 1963.

In the table of inhabitants of Radmoor Road, in 1969 Isabela Johnson was listed as the occupier of Radmoor House. I wasnt too sure about whether David George Woodfield (listed as living in the Bottom Flat 2) and Forseth and Vivan Carroll (listed as living in the Top Flat 2) were living at house number 2 in 1969, or whether Radmoor House was divided into flats and they were living there.

I haven’t had time to do much research on the years following 1969, but I did find an advert from 1971, for the College of Art and Design, advertising sandwich courses for would-be teachers of adults, in embroidery etc.. The reply address is simply listed as Radmoor. Another advert, from 1978, for the Technical College was advertising a bilingual private secretary’s diploma: Again, the address is simply Radmoor. I’m not sure if this indicates that Radmoor House was being used by the College of Art and the Technical College.

Then there’s a bit of a gap until I found a report from 2005 on the Asbhy Road conservation area by Charnwood Borough Council, in which it is commented on that the house is a prominent local building.

In 2009 Radmoor House is subject to a building appraisal by prior to proposed alteration and redevelopment.  And in 2012 it is put up for sale again.     

2014 has seen much discussion about the proposals to turn Radmoor House into student accommodation. The first article in the local paper is about residents’ anger, the second about the extension plans. 
  

Here’s a link to the current planning application.

And here’s a map showing where the house is.

Notes from the meeting of the planning committee in July 2014.

And finally, here is a video advertisement for the new student accommodation.


Births noted at Radmoor House, 1942-1963 

1942

  • Van Nievelt (nee Tucker)


1944

  • Barrington (nee Foster)
  • Fisher (nee Hawkshaw)
  • Thompson (nee Kershaw)


1946

  • Hays (nee Richardson)


1947

  • Boon (nee Godkin)
  • Hartley (nee Bell)
  • Odho (nee Parker-Churchley)
  • Pierce-Hughes (nee Banner)
  • Wilkinson (nee Barthel)
  • Wright (nee Toone)



1948

  • Boon (nee Godkin)
  • Doble (nee Nicholls)
  • Latimer (nee Ward)
  • Munsey (nee Sawyer)



1949

  • Onions (nee Kennard)


1951

  • Hamilton-Martin (nee Whitaker)


1953

  • Gillespie


1956

  • Hooker


1957

  • Astbury (nee Horne)


1959

  • Walker (nee Newall)


1963

  • Shields (nee Ashton)



Deaths reported from Radmoor House

1942

  • Bell


1948

  • Boon


1952

  • Young


1960

  • Stenson




Tables

This is a list of who was living on Radmoor Road, 1932-1935

House no.
1932
1933
1934
1935
1
Dr  NB McLeod
Dr  NB McLeod
Empty
Empty
2
Rev R Trotter
Rev R Trotter
Rev R Trotter
Rev TJ Chapman
3
Sharpe, WH
Sharpe, WH
Sharpe, WH
Sharpe, WH
4
Gray, FH
Gray, FH
Gray, FH
Gary, FH
5
West, C
Antill, A
Guy, H
Guy, H
6
Hudson, Mrs
Hudson, Mrs
Hudson, Mrs
Hudson, Mrs
7
Billingham, HP
Billingham, HP
Billingham, HP
Harris, CH
8
Cross, AH
Cross, AH
Cross, AH
Cross, AH
9
Roper, Miss EF
Roper, Miss EF
Roper, Miss EF
Roper, Miss EF
10
Simpkin, Mrs
Simpkin, Mrs
Stevens, H
Stevens, H
11
Hardy, E
Hardy, E
Hardy, E
Hardy, E
12
Mawby, J
Mawby, J
Mawby, J
Mawby, J
13
Morley, L
Morley, L
Kirk, H
Kirk, H
14
Boyce, A
Boyce, A
Boyce, A
Adkins, HJ
16
Webster, Mrs
Webster, Mrs
Webster, Mrs
Webster, Mrs
18
Hickman, N
Empty
Empty
Empty
20
Cook, N
Cook, N
Cook, N
Empty
22
Smith, EA
Smith, EN
Smith, EN
Keeping, H
24
Cowling, Mrs
Cowling, Mrs
Cowling, Mrs
Cowling, Mrs
26
Chamberlain, E
Chamberlain, E
Chamberlain, E
Chamberlain, E
28
Hall, H
Hall, H
Hall, H
Hall, H

Robinson, WSA (Town Clerk)
Robinson, WSA (Town Clerk)
Robinson, WSA (Town Clerk)
Robinson, WSA (Town Clerk)
Louvaine




[Radmoor House]
Coltman, EE
Coltman, EE
Coltman, EE
Coltman, Mrs

Recreation Ground


Recreation Ground

Bostock, AH
Bostock, AH
Harris, CH
?

Walker, AE
Walker, AE
Walker, Mrs W
Walker, Mrs W

Hadley, T
Hadley, T
Hadley, T
Hadley, T

Burrell, W
Burrell, W
Burrell, W
Burrell, W

Long, FL
Long, FL
Long, FL
Long, FL




Hoddard, LT




Reiss, T

            
This list is of who was living on Radmoor Road 1937-1940

House no.
1937
1938
1939
1940
1





2
Rev TJ Chapman

Rev FH Mills
Rev FH Mills
Rev FH Mills
3
Sharpe, WH

Sharpe, WH
Sharpe, WH
Sharpe, WH
4
Gray, FH

Gray, FH
Gray, FH
Gray, FH
5
Guy, H

Guy, H
Thomas, Mrs
Thomas, Mrs
6
Hudson, Mrs

Hudson, Mrs
Hudson, Mrs
Hudson, Mrs
7
Harris, CH

Harris, CH
Harris, CH
Harris, CH
8
Cross, AH

Empty
Empty
Wollison, L
9
Roper, Miss EF

Roper, Miss EF
Roper, Miss EF
Roper, Miss EF
10
Stevens, H

Stevens, H
Stevens, H
Stevens, H
11
Hardy, E

Hardy, E
Hardy, E
Hardy, E
12
Mawby, J

Mawby, J
Mawby, J
Mawby, J
13
Kirk, H

Kirk, H
Kirk, H
Kirk, H
14
Adkins, HJ

Empty
Gregory, AE
Gregory, AE
16
Antill, Mrs

Antill, Mrs
Antill, Mrs
Antill, Miss
18
Burrell, W

Mumford, Mrs
Mumford, Mrs
Mumford, Mrs
20
Raper, WH

Raper, WH
Raper, WH
Raper, HA
21


Redmayne, AE
Redmayne, AE
Redmayne, AE
22
Johnson, Mrs

Johnson, Mrs
Bentley, E
Smith, EN
23



Rorke, Mrs
Rorke, Miss
24
Cowling, Mrs

Cowling, Mrs
Cowling, Mrs
Cowling, Mrs
25



Brown, JC
Brown, JC
26
Chamberlain, E

Chamberlain, E
Chamberlain, E
Chamberlain, E
27



Newton, W
Newton, W
28
Hall, H

Hall, H
Hall, H
Hall, H
31


Poole, GF

Sharpe, PC
37
[Claremont]

Herbert, J
Herbert, J

Herbert, J

Timperley, T




Louvaine





[Radmoor House]
Coltman, Mrs HE

Loughborough Nursing Home
Loughborough Nursing Home
Loughborough Nursing Home
Recreation Ground





Walker, Mrs

Walker, Mrs
Walker, Mrs
Walker, Mrs

Hadley, T





Birrell, W





Long, FL

Long, FL
Long, FL
Long, FL

Reiss, T

Ross, T






List of who was living on Radmoor Road, variety of years from 1941-1969

House number
1941
1951-2
1958-9
1962
1969
1





Marshall, Douglas W
O’Loughlin, Niall and Jocelyn
1a



Tait, Benjamin
Brown, JP
Scott, Keith William Dobbie (Front Flat)
Clarke, John (Top Flat)
Henson, Richard James (Middle Flat)
2
Rev GH Elliott

Miller, AR
Beard, George M
Jowett, Raymond B
Woodfield, David George (Bott Flat)
Carroll, Forseth & Vivian (Top Flat)
3
Sharpe, W

Payne, HI
Payne, Howard J
McNichol, Miss E
Payne, Howard James & Patricia
4
Gray, FH

Gray, FH
Gray, Ida I
Gray, Ida I
Gray, Ida, I
5
Thomas, Mrs

Foxley, EM
Foxley, Evelyn M
Foxley, Evelyn M
Foxley, Evelyn M
6
Hudson, Mrs

Hudson, DM
Hudson, Dorothy M
Hudson, Dorothy M
Hudson, Dorothy T
7
Harris, CH

Kelham, C
Kelham, Ethel


8
Empty

Start, JL
Start, Joseph L
Start, Joseph L
Start, Joseph L & Charles L
9
Roper, Miss EF

Roper, EF
Isley, Isabel J
Isley, Isabel J
Watkins, Theodore John & Barbara Ethel
10
Empty

Young, CJ

Cave, Ronald
Dodds, John Allen & Kathleen Valerie (Bott Flat)
Bruce, Michael & Beryl (10a)
11
Hardy, E

Hardy, E
Danvers, Abraham
Danvers, E
Piekarska, Edith
12
Mawby, J

Mawby, J
Reeves, Baryy V (Top Flat)
Arme, Percy G

13
Kirk, H

Kirk, H
Kirk, Christine M


14
Gregory, AE

Gregory, AE
Gregory, Ellaline J
Gregory, Ellaline J
Ellaby, Jennifer Lesely & Jones, Suzanna Christine
14 a





Ashmore, Dorothy
16
Antill, Miss

Antill, L
Antill, Leonard
Antill, Leonard
Antill, Elizabeth & Florence
18
Mumford, Mrs

Turner, JW
Ferguson, Robert H
Parry, John
Parry, John Hubert & Jessie and Acons, Edward George Nicholas
19


Hatton, Elizabeth M
Hatton, Elizabeth M
Hatton, Elizabeth M & Perry, Annie
20
Raper, HA

Raper, HA


Hartnett, Oonagh (First Floor)
Statham, Barry & Amy Leonie (Grd Floor)
21
Empty

Murcott, EE
Johnson, Edna M
Johnson, Edna M

22
Smith, EN

Elliott, JR
Hall, Kenneth
Hall, RL
Hall, Reginald Lionel & Lillian Mary
23
Rorke, Miss

Rorke, R
Rorke, Ruth
Tombs, Charles A
Tombs, Charles Arthur Frederick & Eleanor Millicent
24
Cowling, Mrs

Cowling, B
Cowling, Bertha
Cowling, Bertha
Taylor, Kenneth George & Patricia Mary
AND ? Elaine
25
Brown, JC

Brown, JCF
Wain, Eric
Wain, Eric
Adcock, Mary
26
Chamberlain, E

Chamberlain, E
Webb, Ronald G
Partridge, Sidney G
Hartshorn, Charles & Bertha
Smith, Arthur & Joan & Patricia Ann
27
Newton, W

Phillips, RF
Phillips, Reginald F
Brewin, James E
Brewin, James Edwin & Alison Elizabeth
28
Hall, H

Hall, H
Hall, Harry
Hall, Harry
Hall, Harry & Hilda
29

Walker, AE
Peckover Norman C
Peckover Norman C
Peckover, Norman Charles & Alfreda Evelyn
31
Sharpe, PC

Morrison, GE
Morrison, GE
Lockhart, Robert D
Richards, John Morgan & Rosemary Bridget
35
Guy, H

Guy, H
Guy, Marie L
Hawley, Jack
Hawley, Jack & Evelyn and Malcolm, John
37
Herbert, J

Harris, CH
Harris, Charles H
Harris, Charles H
Harris, Charles H & Hedley, Richard
Iveshead?


Haw, Herbert
Haw, Herbert


(30) Radmoor House
Loughborough Nursing Home

Caldwell, EA


Johnson, Isabela
Recreation Ground






Walker, Mrs

Walker, Mrs



Rosina?
Long, FL

Long, FL
Long, Frank L
Long, Frank L
Humphries, David & Marilyn
Radmoor Kennels


Long, Lottie
Long, Lottie







Burleigh Fields (Hostel?)





BF 2


Lawler, Raymond
Bryers, DG

BF 3


Raven, John M
Benstead, GJ


BF 4


Gough, John M


BF 5


Sockett, June


BF 6


Symonds, Kenneth H
Gray, George T

BF 7


Bradley, Jean
Maheson, A


BF 7a



McFadden, C


BF 8


Bhavani, Ranjit
Shackelton, H

BF 10


Pepper, Margaret A
Foreman Alfred C The Loft
Denham, O

BF 11



Mitchell, AC

45




Howe, Cyril Walpole & Cecilia Mary
The Poplars




Blackwell, Dorothy and Charles



Radmoor House is on the right of this wall


The crumbling property wall on True Lovers Walk

Radmoor Jitty runs along the end of the garden and into the Recreation Ground

Radmoor Jitty looking towards the Recreation Ground




















No. 2 Radmoor Road, the vicarage, at the opposite end of the street from Radmoor House (no. 30)


Looking at Radmoor Road today, it is easy to see which houses were there at the time Radmoor House was first built, and the 1930s houses are also easy to spot. However, none of the Victorian houses appear to have names (unlike some other areas of Victorian houses in Loughborough) and I can find no evidence of houses called: Rosina, Claremont, Louvaine, Poplars or Iveshead. Also, Burleigh Fields House (the former home of Dr Eddowes, and situated next to the recreation ground) is no longer there, having been replaced by college buildings.

Anyway, hope you’ve found something to interest you here!!

See you next time!


14 comments:

  1. I was born in Radmoor Nursing Home in 1950, but I´m not listed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Thanks for letting me know! I've had lots of people telling me their stories of giving birth or being born at Radmoor House who weren't on the listing above. The list was never meant to be comprehensive - just an indication of how things have changed these days! Lynne

      Delete
  2. my brother was born in radmoor nursing home in the early sixtys his name is paul sherwin it would be interesting to see his name on the list

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Annie! Thanks for letting me know that your brother was born in Radmoor House: it seems there are many, many Loughborough folk who were born there. I will keep a note of your information and the next time I post about Radmoor House (there have been extensive changes to the building and its surroundings since I wrote this post) I will try and add this. Regards, Lynne

      Delete
  3. Hi Lynne - fascinating reading your blog. I was studying the "scrawl" on my birth certificate and it says the place of birth as "Nursing Home, Radmoor Road, Lougborough. (march 1961). My parents lived in Mountfield Drive at the time, with my Dad teaching at Lougborough College.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, umm, Fat Abbott! Thanks for finding the blog and taking the time to share your story about Radmoor House. The place has changed again recently so I'm hoping to share some pictures of the place soon. Some of the garden has been cleared of trees, so I'm thinking that there may be some plan to build in the garden - but don't quote me on that, it's just a feeling! Thanks again, Lynne

      Delete
  4. Hi Lynne. I was fascinated by your blog. I am the great, great grand daughter of Rose Ellen Paget (nee Lakin). I am trying to trace where she might be buried, and you seemed like a knowledgeable person, who might be able to suggest where I could start to look. Do you know where she died?
    I have a hand written note by her about some baby booties that were knitted by her mother and they were to be given to Zoe (one of her children and aged aunt that my mum remembers). The note continues by saying that if Zoe does not take them, please could they be buried with her. If you have any suggestions - or just want to know more please let me know

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Kate! Thank you for finding the blog, taking the time to read it, and for posing your question. The strange thing is that I have just posted about Arthur and Rose a few minutes ago! What a privilege to hear your story about Rose. I don't personally know where she was buried, but I will try and find out for you - but this might take me a little while. Perhaps, as she was living in Rothley at the time of her death, she might be buried there? Anyway, I'll see what I can find out. If you want to have a more detailed conversation about this email me lynneaboutloughboroughatgmaildotcom, making the usual substitutions! Lynne

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks you so much for all this research, most interesting.
    For your list of births: my birth certificate says I was born here (15th April 1962), as was my cousin Henry Moss (11th April 1962)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Hugemess! Thank you for reading the blog and taking the trouble to write to me and give me more information about local people who were born in Radmoor House. It's always great to hear such stories, so thank you for sharing. Lynne

      Delete
  7. Thank you for all the fascinating research on Loughborough on the blog. I was born in 1958 at the Nursing Home on Radmoor Rd., which I understand is also known as Radmoor House.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Khaver! Thanks for reading the blog and taking the trouble to let me know you were born in what is now known as Radmoor House! It's constantly changing, and I have a feeling there might be some development happening in the garden, if not now, then fairly soon. Lynne

      Delete
  8. Hello,
    Fascinating history. Just happened to spot the blog following a discussion with my wife of where we were birn. I am reliably informed that I was born at Radmoor Nursing Home on 3rd of September 1942. My parents were Charles Fix (Police Constable in Loughborough) and Mary Fox. They were living in Judges Street (No. 40) and with me that made 5 of us in a very small house. We were eventually to move to a new house at 16 Beacon Avenue in late 1946 following the birth of my younger brother making a family of 6, mum dad and 4 boys.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Unknown! Thanks for reading the blog, and finding time to share that you were born in Radmoor House. Beacon Avenue is a little cul-de-sac off Holt Drive, and an ideal place to raise a young family. Thanks again. Lynne

      Delete

If you have found this post interesting or have any questions about any of the information in it do please leave a comment below. In order to answer your question, I must publish your query here, and then respond to it here. If your information is private or sensitive, and you don't wish to have it on public display, it might be a better idea to email me using the address which is on the About Me page, using the usual substitutions. Thanks for reading the blog.