Daily archives: November 1, 2024

In 1900, apart from the Midland Bank at the corner of Tamworth Road, there were only two pairs of semi-detached houses on Wilsthorpe Lane (now 16-22, Wilsthorpe Road).  In 1900 Samuel Hill submitted his first plans for a single-storey lace factory opposite St Mary’s Church.  It was extended over the following 7 years, including a large house ‘The Limes’ separated from the factory by greenhouses.  By 1910 Birchwood Mills (1906) and Atlas Mills (1910) had been completed by other developers, along with Ruskin Avenue and Lime Grove and more houses along Wilsthorpe Lane.  The factory was sold to Concordia in about 1925, but the Hill family retained The Limes. *  *  The story of the Hill family and their factories will be covered in next blog post.  *  * In 1930 George Hill formed The New Sawley Club Limited at The Limes, with the directors being himself and W. Scott of Victoria Road.  Although the Club may have already been operating for a few years.  As well as a bar, the club had a bowling green and tennis courts. The club didn’t seem to thrive and by 1933 the tennis courts were being advertised for let.  The nearby pond (now […]