All the houses on that side of the street are even-numbers, but Number 45, Moore Road is different from the others in more than one way. The most obvious thing is that, apart from a garden shed, there arn’t any buildings on the plot at all. The space bounded by hedges is identical to all neighbouring plots (check the map). The photograph above lets you see in a glance all that was at one time available to the folks of Nottingham town:— a plot of land for them to grow stuff on.

Nottingham was a highly dangerous town on 26 March 1887 when Porchester Gardens began. The reason that the town was dangerous was because of water-born disease (dysentry, etc.). Far too many folks were crammed into far too small a space, whilst their medical men were ignorant of the basic facts of their own trade. A garden like the one above was an opportunity to grow fresh food & enjoy fresh air & water. [I published a more complete story of Porchester Gardens here in June]

The whole of Porchester Gardens was divided into lots like the one above, and anyone with the necessary funds could purchase or rent a little patch for themselves. The first houses were built two years later. Soon, roads began to be metalled and services laid in. Building work became extensive between the first & second world wars, and eventually all gardening plots were converted to building plots. Except the one above.

I learnt about this plot just a couple of days ago whilst mapping, and photographed it very shortly after. I haven’t been able to talk to anyone locally about it. I’ve only mapped that side of Moore Road & will be mapping the other side soonish, so will have another go to find out more. One obvious fact is that it is significantly below the level of the road, and that is the same for all it’s fellow plots locally, although the buildings are raised above the plot that they stand on.

Coda: Update Saturday 22 October

I finally got the chance on Saturday to be able to catch the lady at number 45, and find some of the history of this extraordinary plot. The first 5 or 10 minutes were spent reassuring her that no, I wasn’t a property developer and no, I had zero interest in trying to persuade her to sell the plot. You will, therefore, understand that this has happened a lot across the 80 years that her family has owned the plot.

The plot was first acquired by her father-in-law in the 1930s. They have actually grown stuff on the plot for most of it’s life, but have lately grassed it for easier maintenance now that they are so old. She is very proud that the whole of the rear of the plot is sown with wild meadow flowers.

I asked about the fact that the whole of the plot (and the neighbouring gardens) are 10 foot (3m) or so below the level of the road. She said that it was due to the constant re-tarmacking of Moore Road, which has caused it to rise. I expressed doubt about that! She pointed out that the house at 38 Moore Road (next to the plot) was at the same level as the road 50 years ago (the base is now about 4 foot (1.2m) below the road), so perhaps I should not be so distrusting.