The "LIFE of BRIAN" Part 8 & 9

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The LIFE of BRIAN Part 8

………COINCIDENCE 4 Unbeknown to me at that time, in fact not until approx 30 years later This area of Burton Joyce is precisely where my namesakes and ancestors lived and worked . For years my cousins searched for our 4x Great Grandfather referred to as “Missing JOHN Alvey” and it was only in 2006 that a good probability for his location was established in the area.
In the mid 1990’s, as Self employed Consultant Designer, I was asked by the MD of an Italian Company - manufacturing hosiery in Italy, exporting throughout the world , and who had recently established an extensive Sales & Distribution facility in the area, to design and create a Promotional Product as a give-away, which was associated with hosiery and manufactured from Nottingham Lace. As a direct result of the success of this project, Sandra and I began a business in “Nottingham Lace” product design, manufacture, sales and marketing. Rapidly the business became a great success and as a result most mornings I would visit the many out/home workers we used in the villages of Burton Joyce, Gunthorpe, Calverton, Woodthorpe, Carlton, Bestwood, etc, I began each day taking materials for making up products - 100’s at a time and collecting the completed work from the previous day - ( I had become the modern day version of the 19 century Lace Bagman)

see our websites http://www.weddinglace.co.uk/ and http://www.english-lace.co.uk/

……COINCIDENCE 5 My ancestors were Stockingers operating Framework Knitting Machines in their homes, these were the earliest creators of machine made hosiery and Nottingham Lace, Machine Made Lace is reputed to have been originally created on a machine design and made by the Rev Lee of Calverton. The Rev. Lee had difficulty gaining a patent for his invention from Queen Elizabeth the First she was hesitant as she feared the machine would create an uprising by out of work Stockingers ( she was not far wrong -, remember the Luddites.) She insisted that to grant a patent on the invention The machine must first be capable of working with the finest of delicate silks (very difficult at that period in time). Eventually the Rev Lee did create a machine to work with silk, but he still had difficulties in obtaining a patent. It is worth adding here that the ALVEY Framework Knitters in Burton Joyce were working in silk - hosiery, gloves and undergarments

……COINCIDENCE 6 In the late 1800’s there were 3 or 4 individuals in Burton Joyce who were active “Bagmen” one of them was a JOHN ALVEY of “The Spring” on Main Street, known as “Nonkling John” because of the way he moved his head


The LIFE of BRIAN Part 9 - (Conclusion only to the PRELUDE of the ALVEY’S of BURTON JOYCE )

……COINCIDENCE 7 To conclude this extended Prelude I should provide put into print the explanation and reason for Blogging
My particular family line together with that of Sandra my beloved wife ends with us. Both of our parents departed this life many years ago, we have no immediate heirs, brothers or sisters, so after long consideration and chats with Sandra I decided to record for posterity some of our life and research into the “Alvey‘s of Burton Joyce“, listing the important contribution made by my bloodline, to the village activities and development of our Burton Joyce roots throughout the 1600’s, 1700’s and 1800’s.
For the ALVEY bloodline provided, several Sheriffs of Nottingham and a continual presence/contribution to BURTON JOYCE for 350 YEARS plus….
………… 350 years, of agricultural workers tending the farm land around the village, two generations of village blacksmiths, shopkeepers, a verger, many fwk workers, farmers and landowners, a journalist, wives of eminent villagers, several employers of Fwk and weavers, “bagmen“, mechanics, councillors, and fathers of at least two illegitimate children ! ! ! !
Also as there were/are numerous namesakes and “relatives” in the adjoining areas of Gedling, Carlton, Nottingham, Arnold, Lambley, Lowdham, Gunthorpe, Bleasby, Stoke, Bulcote, Epperstone, Hoveringham, Caythorpe etc.. the notes may just fill a few gaps

PART 9 is the conclusion to the LIFE of BRIAN .

Howeve if you are interested in Social History, Burton Joyce or the Alvey family name you should not miss my ALVEY'S of BURTON JOYCE Timeline 1600 to 1950 this will follow in this website in comfortable "bites" within this website.. .. dont miss it !!