It all started in 1890 when publicans John Ellis and William Hulse raised the money to pay for the memorial lion that still stands over Bendigo’s grave.
John Ellis was the landlord of The Forest Tavern and William Hulse ran the Malt Cross Music Hall. Hulse was described as “a fine sportsman, fond of fighting, ratting, and cock fighting.”
In 1911, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle immortalised Bendigo when he published Bendigo’s Sermon:
Since then we’ve never stopped talking about him.
‘You didn’t know of Bendigo, well, that knocks me out! Who’s your Board School teacher, what’s he been about? Chock a block with fairy tales, full of useless cram, and never heard of Bendigo, the pride of Nottingham.’
