Janine Tanner, Nottingham History Group – Honour our Heritage
Minutes:
Janine Tanner from Honour of Heritage, Nottingham History Group, gave a verbal overview of the history of Long Stairs and proposals to carry out a litter and weed removal, using volunteers from her Group:
(a) Long Stairs, for those who are unfamiliar with it, is a disused ancient thoroughfare, running from Malin Hill, and descends down the cliff face towards what was Red Lion Street, in Narrow Marsh (now Cliff Road). More than 1000 years old, Long Stairs most probably started as a covered walkway, leading from the low marshes along the Leen to the summit of the cliff, 90 feet above it, upon which stood the primitive settlement that has developed into the city of Nottingham;
(b) the rise of Long Stairs is right to left, so that an enemy ascending the steps would have been unable to use his shield to protect himself from the defenders stationed at the top of the cliff. A similar covered passage is still
partly visible in the Castle cliff, and as its roof has broken down in one or two places, it is easy to see how Long Stairs gradually became open to the elements. The history of Long Stairs was not always a good one, mostly notorious for murders and crimes. One of the more pleasant records for it was that in 1531, Edward Chamberlayne paid 2s 5d for a ‘little house and pinfold’ on Long Stairs, possibly including use as a pig sty;
(c) about halfway up Long Stairs, there were half a dozen fig trees, which clung to the sour soil of the cliff side, and despite the deplorable atmosphere and conditions of the time, managed each year to bear leaves and fruit. The demolition of the slum housing in the marsh area in 1933, and subsequent planning of a residential housing estate by the corporation (which included houses being built in front of Long Stairs) led to the closure of this ancient walkway. It is inaccessible at the bottom and is gated at the top and almost completely hidden from view, due to vegetation. The path is just as old, if not older, than the rest of the historic Lace Market area;
(d) a group of volunteers has been arranged, who will clear the vegetation and litter, which would allow people to visit and visit the top Long Stairs. there are no plans to open it up as a through route due to condition of the steps and safety of users;
(e) until its closure, it was most likely one of the oldest pedestrian routes in Nottingham. Part of the stairs / land is owned by Nottingham City Council and managed by Nottingham City Homes. The occupiers of the adjoining building, Kings Court, hold the keys to the gate on Malin Hill and will open the gate for the volunteers;
There followed questions and comments from the Forum, and further information from Janine:
(f) local Councillors and Neighbourhood Development Officers have not yet been contacted, whilst the ownership of the full length of the land remained un-resolved. They may wish to support the project and could potentially provide equipment for volunteers (bin liners, litter pickers and collection) and/or funding for an information plaque at the top end;
(g) the clearance project to commence as soon as possible, once all ownership has been confirmed and access permission secured;
(h) anyone interested in joining the project should contact Janine by email: janinetanner@msn.com;
(i) Councillor Sally Longford agreed to make local Councillors, particularly Councillor Michael Edwards, aware of the project.
RESOLVED to thank Janine for the update and note the contents, and to support the clearance project.