The Beestonian

02/06/2025

A Celebration of Garden Diversity!

Gardens come in many shapes and sizes, can be private or public. Every year around twenty local gardeners in Beeston and Chilwell throw open the garden gate to share theirs with anyone who enjoys a wander through a terrace yard or to feast their eyes on a fully landscaped garden.

Organisers and those involved say,

"Spending a June weekend on our trail is a great way to be inspired, support charity, and see over the fence to otherwise secret gardens…"

and who doesn't love a good nosy?

The Beeston and Chilwell Garden Trail starts next Saturday, and full details can be found via the link below.

A Weekend of Gardens, Community Spirit, and Charitable Giving The much-loved Beeston & Chilwell Garden Trail is set to return on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June 2025, inviting visitors to explore unique private gardens across Beeston and Chilwell from 1pm to 6pm each day . This year’s trail featu...

02/06/2025

☀️Good morning Beeston, and hello June!

A huge thanks to Christopher Frost for his daily photo blogs throughout May - here were your top 10.

Which one was your favourite?

31/05/2025

Beeston Blog - Day 31

Just like the Luminarium, this weekend sees the last of the Beeston Blog. For the blog, it’s today, for the Luminarium, it’s tomorrow.

I, and those at the Beestonian hope you’ve enjoyed these daily posts and accompanying photos. Some obviously have been more popular than others. With Tony and the Boathouse receiving the most likes and comments.

Talking of comments. As they say on YouTube videos, do leave one if you’ve liked the series. And let us know whether you’d like to see it continue.

Christopher

30/05/2025

Beeston Blog - Day 30

Today is my late mum Connie’s birthday. If she was still alive, she would be 103, but she passed away on St Patrick’s Day in 2000. She was born an Everett, became a Breen, then of course a Frost.

My dad Douglas went a few years before her. Her second marriage, and his too. I was the only result. But it meant that I was born with five half brothers and one half sister. One of my dad’s son’s Tony used to be a bodyguard in the 70s for David Bowie. But he died several years ago, so I was unable to talk to him about his experiences of looking after one of the world’s top rock stars.

This photo was taken in April 1993, at a wildlife park, near Sydney, Australia. We went to see her son, also called Tony who went out with his family in the mid 60s as a “£10 Pom”.

He lived in Beeston and used to work at Plessey’s, or Erikksson’s as it was called at the time. Although he had a secure job, he was looking for something better, and so emigrated to Oz during 1966 and lived in Mount Druit, which I think was a place where settlers lived before finding their feet. We went to see them during Christmas 1972. Before the Opera House was opened, and it was strange being on a beach and seeing Christmas trees out in the bright, hot sunshine.

I got married in Sydney in Feb 2006 where Tony was a witness. My Mum’s other remaining son also emigrated to Sydney in the mid 90s, but didn’t come to our wedding, even though he was invited.

So happy birthday mum. Reunited with dad and Peter, together with all your brothers and sisters. Will always miss you and your apple pies.

Christopher

29/05/2025

Beeston Blog - Day 29

Luck is a strange phenomena. Some people seem to have loads, while others feel like the unluckiest people in the world.

To increase their perception of luck, some resort to their faith in various inanimate objects. White heather is an old favourite, coming from the old Scottish clans, and popularised by Queen Victoria.
These days it might be something so bizarre, like a pair of unwashed underpants, that have to be worn to a football match, or other sporting event. Otherwise their team will lose.

You’ve probably often seen figures of cats with a waving left paw. Continually moving up and down. The Maneki-Neko is the famous lucky mascot in Asian mythology. Especially In China and Japan. The paw scooping up good fortune for the house or business. Just like this one I photographed in the window of a restaurant in Hockley today.

What’s your good luck charm?

Christopher

28/05/2025

Beeston Blog - Day 28

Have you ever wondered about those little stickers that you always see on lampposts, telephone boxes and other street furniture. Who put them there, and what they are meant to be about?

I came across one today stuck to one of those green boxes that holds telephone wires or power cables down by the railway station.

A strange character. A piece of toast with human features. But what is it for. Is it a cartoon character that I’ve never seen before, or advertising something?

I guess it’s a case of ‘if you know, you know’. Well I don’t. And I guess many others don’t either.

27/05/2025

Beeston Blog - Day 27

There’s nothing quite like seeing a poppy. I know it’s forever linked to November 11th, Armistice Day, but for me, it shows the start of summer.

For the last couple of days this poppy has been showing its red flower. Our first of the year. But this morning it was no more, as the wind and rain yesterday took care of it. The red petals lay crumpled and wet on the ground.

I knew this would be happening, so I took a photo of it, as a reminder and an idea for a blog post.

Christopher

26/05/2025

Beeston Blog - Day 26

Thought we would take it easy at home this Bank Holiday Monday, as generally everyone is out and about visiting places and people.

As I needed to get a few groceries, I popped to one of our local supermarkets. After getting the items, I thought I would see if there was anything happening on the high road.

Most of the shops are open, but some were closed, including The Linen Box. It’s actually strange to see it bare, with no goods piled up outside. Of course it will be permanently closed very soon, when the owner retires.

Being old myself, I can remember when the shop was a branch of Oasis Records. There was also a branch in Long Eaton. I used to go in quite a lot to see the latest releases, and to ask if there were any promotional posters I could have.

Beeston used to be quite good for record shops. Who remembers Music Plus, where Charlie Fogg’s is now? The old couple ran it always seem to be bickering. Then there were the poodles running around. Time seemed have stood still in there, as even though it was the 1980s, they still sold 8 Track cartridges.

I don’t think there’s anywhere locally now where you can buy new albums. Even the two big supermarkets in the town have stopped selling CD’s.

Christopher

25/05/2025

Beeston Blog - Day 25

Went to the hospital at Mansfield today, to see a friend who’s not well.

It’s a lot newer than the QMC, and the entrance reminds me of an airport, complete with a small branch of WH Smith’s.

Our friend wanted to get a bit of fresh air, after spending the past week or so on the ward. So we got a wheelchair for him and went down to the entrance.

It is very windy, so he was getting a bit cold, so we are sitting in the spacious entrance area.

This piece of art on the wall is huge, with so many pretty butterflies to celebrate organ and tissue donors.

Christopher

24/05/2025

Beeston Blog - Day 24

Shopping in Beeston, and it’s quite busy with people stocking up for the Bank Holiday weekend.

Decided to pop in to the Plane Tree and see Shelly and Jagger. Beeston’s only canine shop assistant.

He was telling me that the shop isn’t too busy at the moment, and would like to see more customers. Especially those that bring treats. He especially likes those!

There is a special promotion on at the moment where you can make your own badge. Create one of your own, or have a unique Jagger one.

Christopher

23/05/2025

Happy bank holiday weekend Beeston! What's on?
Well, something for everyone it seems, as we've focussed on what's to do!

🏮The now famous heads back to Lakeside Arts this weekend .
🎫 via their website.

🏏 There's a beer festival on with Wollaton Cricket Club - beers, sports & bands are on the agenda (see our website for info). Free entry.

🍿Perfect time to catch a new release at Arc Cinema Beeston with a lot to pick from, Tom Cruise's final outing as Ethan Hunt in the new Mission Impossible? The latest live-action Disney with Lilo & Stitch maybe?
🎟️ Online or at the cinema

🌯 The Garage Chilwell have their street food and music regular market on, this weekend with music from Jeanie Barton Music and a 23 piece band!
🎫 Free entry

What you up to? Any of this take your fancy? Let us know below 👇

23/05/2025

Beeston Blog - Day 23

As a prelude to Tracey Whitefoot’s photo exhibition which I posted earlier in the week, today I can say that it is now ready to visit.

Tracey has spent the last couple of days displaying 65 of her wonderful, colourful and evocative photos at Nottingham’s Central Library.

All landscapes of various places that she has captured over the past few years. Sadly none of Beeston though. But some stunning ones of Wollaton Park are on offer, amongst others taken around Nottingham.

Christopher