Excuse me for using a post title that only the most dedicated Star Trek fans will get, but I was in Nottingham yesterday and can’t help myself. The quote comes from one of the very few genuinely funny Next Generation episodes which involved the meddlesome ‘Q’ transporting the crew to the Middle Ages…
I was in Nottingham for a meeting in the Council House, built between 1927 and 1929 by Thomas Cecil Howitt. It’s a very impressive building with some genuinely breathtaking art deco features, including an entrance flanked by a couple of rather unhappy looking lions, and a huge marble staircase topped by a big glass dome.
On this trip I obviously had my mind on transport, because for the first time I noticed that the main railway station obviously dates from the same period as the Council House, as this detailing on the railings outside demonstrates:
I also discovered that Nottingham connects to the canal system (why did I assume that it didn’t?), with the canal basin obviously undergoing a bit of a renaissance, as it is now hemmed in on all sides by modern office buildings and trendy restaurants. It also has its own diminutive version of the London Eye, which sits outside the Council House on the main square. There were throngs of people waiting to get on, even on a cold Monday morning. The effect was spoiled a bit when I was told that until two weeks ago it had been plastered with logos saying “Cardiff” (I won’t mention Ebay if you don’t)
From Nottingham Fe… |
And finally, I’ve been paid to say (only kidding!) that despite its reputation, it is not the violent, crime-ridden place that is portrayed in the national media. I’ve visited Nottingham numerous times and I can attest to that – it’s a lot more peaceful than some other cities I’ve visited, and the shopping and restaurants are pretty good too…