SOME CHEERFUL MEMORIES OF CHALK HILL
As recalled to Pauline Berry by Joe Molloy

Our own Joe Molloy recently called in at the Museum with, not only a clear plan of Chalk Hill's cottages and their occupants of the early 1920's but also tales to tell of his childhood living there. He lived at No. 7 Chalk Hill (now a different number), a small Victorian cottage, two up, two down plus kitchen in which Mr and Mrs Patrick Molloy brought up their family of three; Kathleen, Molly (Mimi) and of course Joe. They were fortunate enough to have water laid on but solely to the outhouse in their back garden and like many people then, bath-night was enjoyed in a tin bath in front of the kitchen fire. Another part of the outhouse was used for storing the coal to heat the  fireplaces in the cottage; in the rear of the same building was a W.C.
Their large garden, mainly to the side, was shared with cottage No. 6 (Mr Dewey) and was well stocked with fruit, vegetables and flowers. This area is now occupied by newer houses. To the rear of the back gardens of these former brick maker's cottages ran a long ditch, separating them from the old brickfield beyond. Brick making had stopped well before 1920 and this "field" was then covered with blackberry bushes, but it still showed the vestiges of old brick walls and heaps of sand from the old days. This area proved an attractive route for the children to cross to the woods beyond, "a lovely playing area", recalled Joe, "which we knew like the back of our hands". The all too familiar sounds made by revellers from the "New Inn" (the recently demolished Lamp & Mantle) are also imprinted on Joe's memory! Prior to the charabancs (motor coaches) were the horse-drawn "brakes" - a type of carriage with a roof and long seats either side, with mounting steps to the rear. These arrived regularly at the New Inn and inside were men, merry from visits to other public houses, who were also musicians carrying their instruments. The trombone projected to the rear due to its shape and the men arrived ready to play and imbibe some more! As the brake clattered in at the front of the inn, along would rush the local children, including Joe, calling, "out with the rusty coppers!", in the hope of receiving pennies, halfpennies or farthings, which would sometimes be thrown down to them!
Joe has clear memories of the New Inn being re-built during the late 1920's.  He knew a Mr Ryves from Moorgreen, who was a plasterer in the new building (the next occupant of his cottage, George Paul was a roofer on the inn). The new lounge was called the "West End Leicester Lounge" which sounded grand in those days. Other people toiling up and down Chalk Hill included tennis players cycling to and from the new tennis club and courts to the rear of Rosemount shop (now the Tesco Express) and Dunford's Garage (now the Hatch Mead housing estate). "Banana Joe", from Bitterne, who used to call regularly selling his fresh fruit must not be forgotten. Any over-ripe fruit was given to the children who ate it eagerly. The  "Rag-and-Bone-man" who bought old clothes and oddments in exchange for "coppers" was another regular.
The local children were often escorted by Mr Collins of The Drove, (now Mann's Close) up Church Hill to the Mission Hall in Beacon Road, where they were regular attenders on Sunday's. This was run by the evangelist John St. Barbe Baker (father of Richard - Man of the Tree's) who lived next door at "The Firs". He was a "Pleasant, bearded old gentleman"who often gave lifts up Chalk Hill to "Bradfields", the butcher in Bitterne, recalls Joe.

Left: THE "OLD" NEW INN AROUND 1920 - Right: THE "NEW" NEW INN (later LAMP & MANTLE) AROUND 1970

He also had reason to remember other acts of kindness, for every Christmas Mr John St. Barbe Baker would give gifts to the children who attended his chapel. This was how Joe received his very first buttoned shirt, at the age of four or five, which unfortunately reached his ankles when he tried it on. This garment got good use in the ensuing years of course!
A host of other stories came out of Joe's lucid memory and they will be included another time. The story of Joe's remarkable aunt "Sister Kate Oram" is still available in the Museum Book-shop.