Heanor District Local History.Heanor Forum

Author	Message / Information
Jennypeg Researcher Quote \| Reply \|	The Firs posted on: 2/18/2009 8:29:33 AM "The Firs" on Hands Rd is it still there ? "Pleasantly situated “ The Firs” over looks the Erewash Valley, and was built by the well-known Heanor poet, William Howitt, for his widow, Mary Howitt, being bought from the former by Mr. Bonner, with whom there is a close relationship” Jenny
suegill Researcher Quote \| Reply \|	The Firs replied on: 2/18/2009 3:25:26 PM I'm sure I've read somewhere on this site about it being demolished for the widening of the road for the trams?
Langleylass Quote \| Reply \|	The Firs replied on: 2/18/2009 5:56:06 PM I can't think where "The Firs" is/was on Hand's Road either. I'll have a walk round soon and let you know. Thankyou for the interesting information about it on the Edward Bonner thread. I didn't know he was related to the Howitts
BrianHNottm Quote \| Reply \|	The Firs replied on: 2/18/2009 8:48:27 PM I don't think 'The Firs' was built for William Howitt. It might possibly have been built for his father Thomas Howitt, or for his brother Francis T Howitt. They kept a farm at 'The Dene' at the top of Hands Road which did eventually get demolished in 1935 for road widening. The farm land extended all the way down Mansfield Road to near the Midland General bus garage. Edward Bonner married Elizabeth Holmes daughter of John Holmes the grocer. Elizabeth was the grand daughter of Mary Howitt a cousin of William the writer.
Jennypeg Researcher Quote \| Reply \| This message was updated on 2/19/2009 8:27:31 AM by Jennypeg	The Firs replied on: 2/19/2009 7:54:34 AM 1930 16th May Ripley and Heanor News Mr Mrs Edward Bonner Golden Wedding Mr. And Mrs. Edward Bonner, of “The Firs” Heanor celebrated their golden wedding on Tuesday last, being married at the Wesleyan church, Heanor, on May 13th 1880 by Revs. Henry Balls and William Hothersall, ministers at that time of the Ripley Circuit. Born at Nottingham 87 years ago, Mr. Bonner after 36 years in the service of the Midland Railway Co, at Derby as clerk in the Locomotive Dept, retired in 1903, when he celebrated the occasion by giving a luncheon at his home, which was attended by upwards of 30 of his colleagues, who honoured the occasion by making him a presentation of a valuable piece of plate as a mark of their affection and esteem. Mr. Bonner belongs to a family noted for its longevity, his father living to the age of 90 years, and his mother surviving until she reached her 98th birthday. Born at Heanor, Mrs. Bonner, who is 80 years of age, was the second daughter of the late Mr. John Holmes, who previous to his death some two years ago, at the ripe old age of 98, was intimately known as the G.O.M. of Heanor, and had the honour of being presented to King George V upon his visit to the town in June 1914.Both Mr. And Mrs. Bonner, despite their advanced age, are enjoying remarkably good health, and on the visit of our correspondent were anxiously anticipating the family gathering, which had been arranged in honour of the occasion, which was to include the presence of their two sons and daughters, together with 13 grandchildren. In religion both are ardent Wesleyans, and have life-long connection with Heanor Wesleyan Church. Asked as to what he attributed his long life and good health, Mr. Bonner unhesitatingly replied, “by never worrying.“ Rejoice in tribulation” and “pray without ceasing” has ever been my motto, he said. Pleasantly situated The Firs” over looks the Erewash Valley, and was built by the well-known Heanor poet, William Howitt, for his widow, Mary Howitt, being bought from the former by Mr. Bonner, with whom there is a close relationship. The auspicious event was made the occasion for numerous congratulations and gifts to Mr. And Mrs. Bonner from relatives and admirers. 1919 Jan R/ H, “The oldest and most familiar figure in Heanor in the person of Mr. John Holmes, passed away at “The Firs“, Heanor, the residence of his daughter, Mrs E. Bonner, on Tuesday morning, at 7.30 at the advanced age of 98 years. Deceased had only been laid up about a month” John Holmes died 1919 not 1928 (Golden wedding report.) Jenny
BrianHNottm Quote \| Reply \|	The Firs replied on: 5/28/2009 8:12:28 PM Hi Jenny, The house which was known as 'The Firs' was lived in by Edward Bonner and his family until he died in 1935 aged 92. The house on Hands Road is still there but it has now been divided into 2 houses, Nos 20/22. One of the houses still has an original bay window. The gardens of over half an acre have now all been built on and all the Fir trees have gone. I am still not sure on the link with William Howitt the writer though?? Brian
Jenks Quote \| Reply \| This message was updated on 5/28/2009 11:58:58 PM by Jenks	The Firs replied on: 5/28/2009 11:55:20 PM I'm not sure if this will help or hinder the conversation, but I think it may be relevant. I have a very faded copy of a post card view from c1905 of Church Street taken from a position roughly opposite the Heanor Antiques Centre, and the view is looking down towards Hands Road. The house at the top of Hands Road (on the left as you turn into Hands Road)would almost certainly have had to have been demolished for the road widening that followed a few years later. Written on the back of the post card the house is described as "Howitt's the Quakers" Jenks
Jennypeg Researcher Quote \| Reply \|	The Firs replied on: 5/29/2009 5:50:35 AM Hi Brian, Thankyou for the information, I will have a walk down there with my camera. Jenny
BrianHNottm Quote \| Reply \|	The Firs replied on: 5/29/2009 5:52:44 PM Jenks, The house on the postcard you describe would be 'The Dene', former home of the Howitt's. It was demolished in 1935. Brian.
Jenks Quote \| Reply \|	The Firs replied on: 5/30/2009 1:37:11 PM Thanks Brian. I'm surprised the house didn't go before that, it really looks as though it would have been in the way of the original road widening. The trams must have gone around it. Jenks
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