It mentally devastated a lot of people in terms of depression. People were scattered across the city of Nottingham with some in Broxtowe or Clifton. He added: "It was a real tragedy when the whole area was demolished in the 1970s as it fractured everything. Simon Smalley, 60, pictured with his new book at home in Top Valley, Nottingham. Burton Joyce neighbours fear church will suffer neglect as it goes on market for £250,000.They helped us in that way and there was a very caring structure to the area." Read More Related Articles Neighbours came round with pies or casseroles because my dad was there with young sons. There was a definite sense of community which was exemplified when my mother died when I was young. "It was a hard-working area with a shop or pub on every corner so you really didn't need to go anywhere to get things in. "I was born into a very close-knit community where there was a lot of support," he said. Despite this, the area was known for having a strong sense of community spirit with a lot of local shops and pubs.
Eight out of ten homes had no indoor bathroom and over half had no hot water. It is estimated that around 30,000 people lived in just half a square mile – three times the population density of the city.
Ann's were known for poverty with many still living in poor housing conditions. It highlights the changes that have taken place in the city and also, attitudes towards the LGBT+ community. The memoir, 'That Boy Of Yours Wants Looking At' shares fascinating descriptions of life in the area before the demolition happened in the 1970s. Simon Smalley has published his memoir about what life was like in the close-knit community and growing up as a gay man in the city. A Nottingham author has published a book on growing up in St.