Excellent pictures, I wonder whatever happened to the lamps on the waterbridge. Melted for scrap during one of the wars I guess.
There's a bit of a story to the first picture in that there is a sign floating in the sky put up by Mr Hill who I believe was a tailor. It caused a furor on the council but there were no planning rules as such and so it stayed there for quite a long while. Postcards of Newbury generally had the sign blanked out before the cards were printed.
The pub on the left, I assume that's what it is, must sell some ale as every picture has beer barrels either on the pavement or in a dray waiting to be unloaded.
After Northbrook Street was cobbled and while they were doing the same in the Market Place, the town Market moved to Northbrook Street. This photograph was taken on 13th July2006 from the waterbridge looking North as were most of the previous photos.
The pub on the left, I assume that's what it is, must sell some ale as every picture has beer barrels either on the pavement or in a dray waiting to be unloaded.
That is about the right location for the Anchor PH, on the corner of (now pedestrianised part) Northcroft Lane - now Starbucks coffee house. I recall that the outside facing Northbrook Street was covered in dark green tiles, and there was outcry when these were removed.
I recall that the outside facing Northbrook Street was covered in dark green tiles, and there was outcry when these were removed.
We have done this on the old board, but it's worth a second go. Here is the history of the tiles. Photo 1 taken in 1911. No tiles Photo 2 taken in 1928, Tiles have appeared Photo 3 taken in the 50's Tiles still there Photo 4 taken in 1999. Retiled with cheap tiles (from Wilkinson's ? ?) P.S. The top floor has also been removed by 1999
So, the original tiles were not that old, post 1911, so probably fitted about 1918 after the great war. Because the building society were asked/told to replace them, they were replaced on the two facades. Nothing like the original so when these tiles were removed by Starbucks, they really had no historical value.
What has been lost is the novelty factor, if not the historical. The other thing of course, if nothing is allowed to get old, then we would have no historical artifacts anywhere.
The pub on the left, I assume that's what it is, must sell some ale as every picture has beer barrels either on the pavement or in a dray waiting to be unloaded.
A bit too far north for the Anchor.
Hannibal Hill was the gents outfitter with the sign in the sky.
one more then..... The Lock Stock and Barrel (or whatever it was called then) is the building on the left. Photo taken in 1878.
I would guess it is later than 1878 (but need to check my facts ...).
The Union Jack would indicate to me that we are looking at the Conservative Club - which (if memory serves me well - not always the case) took over the premises of the Fountain Inn somewhen in the 1880s.
Another interesting view of the southern end of Northbrook Street for comments.
A guess on the date of that view would be about 1920. It will be later than 1911 as the Anchor is tiled and before 1929 as the Jubille clock in the Broadway is still there. Would be interesting to see what the headline is on the newspaper in the doorway of WH Smith.
Yes, I thought that as well, perhaps it would be, assuming it is a pub, the old Rose & Thistle.
No - too far south for the Rose & Thistle (No 90 - now Abbey). Barrels were used for things other than beer!
They are outside 97 Northbrook St - in 1883 - 1904 (at least) this was Brigham's - a tobacconist. Perhaps baccy came in barrels ...
Or this may have been a special loading bay used by the Bridge Brewery (where the LSB is now) - anywhere else and some chaps in green jackets would rush out and fine you.
What has been lost is the novelty factor, if not the historical. The other thing of course, if nothing is allowed to get old, then we would have no historical artifacts anywhere.
The real issue is that a listed building has been effectively demolished and a relpacement built with no come back on the criminals who broke every planning law in order to make this happen. The original tiles were part of the listed building and should have been protected, the later tiles were on a building which had had all its listable features removed along with the tiles. - so the planning committee had little choice but to allow the change - but they should have have the power to fine Starbucks or their agents a bundle for not getting permission BEFORE changing the frontage of a building in a conservation area. There really should be a straightforward and hefty fining system that would stop things like this happening.
WBC should also have the power to enforce the owners of listed buildings to maintain them appropriately or risk losing the property, the state of some local listed buildings is appalling - including at least one owned by WBC.
Just a reply to an old post as I am catching up. On the left after the beer barrels, in the 60s was the "Tudor Cafe" A regular haunt those days for mother and chums. There was parking on one side and then on the other after lunch.
Anyway trying to squeeze a Wolsely 680 into a space, mother said can you pop out and move that bike back a foot. Those were the days of parking an unlocked cyle with a pedal on the kerb!
In my schoolboy shorts I was almost given a thick ear by the owner.She worked in the shop. My mother who had lived in some difficult places in the world leapt out and was strong in my defence. ce
Talking to a relative, it appears that an ancestor, at the turn of the century, had what was called a Pie and Pudding ale house in Northbrook Street and which appeared to have been about where Jessups is now. The licensee was a Mr Salter. It may have been the Cat and Fiddle. Anybody (Blackdog ?) got any further information.
Talking to a relative, it appears that an ancestor, at the turn of the century, had what was called a Pie and Pudding ale house in Northbrook Street and which appeared to have been about where Jessups is now. The licensee was a Mr Salter. It may have been the Cat and Fiddle. Anybody (Blackdog ?) got any further information.
No 67 Northbrook Street - had a beer licence for years but didn't seem to get a name until it became the Northbrook Inn. It could well have had a colloquial name, but I haven't come across the 'Cat & Fiddle' before. The magistrates had a go at removing its licence in 1919, but it survived into the 1950s.
Albert Salter was the licensee from 1904-06 to 1924.
The premises had the southern half of the Jessops frontage with another shop in the other half.
(thought not)
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