THE SEARCH FOR BUCKNALL HILL
In the last issue of Barrow Voice I was asked for information on
Bucknall Hill, Barrow which is mentioned in the 1846 White's
Directory of Leicestershire. One email came in from Harry Squires
in western Canada! This article is based on my research and his
memories.
In 1841 Barrow had a population of around 1840 people, including railway navvies. By 1846 we had nine trains a day, eight pubs and nine
beerhouses (not licensed to sell spirits). One beerhouse, owned by Tom Sheppard was on Bucknall Hill, hence my original question. Harry tells
me that the 1851 census has four entries for Bucknall Hill: Glebe Farm, Pack (or Park) Lodge, Thomas Sheppard at number 40, and Dexter at
number 42. He remembers his father referring to Barrow Hill (Nottingham Road) as Tom Sheppard's Hill and I find that it is still known locally
as Shep's Hill. Harry mentions two cottages, now demolished, that stood on Barrow Hill, so it would seem that the mystery is solved. He also
suggests that Glebe Farm now may be known as Tythe Farm.
He went on to provide some information about his family. He says, 'I was born and raised in Barrow in 1929, leaving for Canada in 1957. My
forefathers lived in the village from the 1400's and my father was James (Jim) Squires. We lived at 39 South Street where the controversy is over
the new cottages (BV issue 94); later known as Stevenson's, it was originally Squires' Garage.
My father and brother Steve ran a bus service out of there which served Loughborough to Sileby before selling out to Midland Red in 1936. We
also ran a long distance haulage business, which was nationalised in 1948. We carried a lot of John Ellis concrete products as well as machinery
from Herbert Morris, Taylor's Bell Foundry and other local manufacturers.
Harry sent me some photographs, which he has kindly allowed us to publish - I think the driver of the charabanc (outside the Ram Inn, the Rushes)
is Steve Squires, but who else is on the 'mystery tour'? The family one is of an outing to Skegness about 1930 when Harry was one year old.
Harry's father used to 'load all the family on board, uncles, aunts, cousins and siblings for a day of fun at the seaside.'
Keith Chaplin & Harry Squires
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