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Harrop’s Chemist (late 1967)

Behind the counter we have (left to right): Tom Harrop, Kathleen Bradley, Jenny Harrop, Jean Sayers, Renee Treloar.
Image courtesy of Raymond Brown.

Zetland Road, Loftus

This photograph shows Memorial Stone Masons on the right hand side; with the shops lining each side of the road.  The Congregational church is prominent in the background.

Zetland Road, Loftus

Another shot of Zetland Road, quite a few people out shopping on what looks to be a lovely sunny day.  Loftus used to be a very busy shopping place for people all around the area.

Loftus, Approaching West Road

Lovely view of Zetland Road with the shops and lots of traffic here today, maybe the weekend.  What date do you think it would be, about the 1950’s?

Zetland Road, Loftus

A Skilbeck postcard from about 1948, viewing Zetland Road towards West Road.  The butcher’s shop on the left was Featherstone’s, next the Misses Griffiths (Ladies wear), then Daisy Dairy, the opening to the rear of Zetland Road, Maggie Rivets (Hairdressers), Medds (Cakes and Confectionery), Lengs (Ladies and Gents Hairdressers), Gartons (Shoes) and lastly the Cosy Cafe (Violet Husband). Across the road started with Prossers, then Walter Wilson, Goldbys, Skilbeck’s Stationers (and of postcard fame), Trinders, Swales (Fruiterers), entrance to the Commercial Hotel, John Dawson Robinsons (Iron- mongers and hardware), Eatons (Furnishings, etc) and finally Leggs (Ladies and Gents outfitter). Derick Pearson tells us: “Eatons started in the early 1920s as a Pawnbrokers on North Road and moved down to Zetland Road; they used this shop as a Draper, Furnishers, Fancy Goods and Carpet suppliers and were rivals to Trinders; Uptons took them over in the 1960s. Legg Bros did a Mobile service taking items to the local farming community and outlying villages too. Golbys and this was later taken over by Walter Wilson as they extended the shop.”

Image courtesy of Eric Norton; after consultations thanks for updates to Derick Pearson, Jean Wiggins and others.

Zetland Road

Another Skilbeck postcard of Zetland Road; this time looking up the road from the crossroads, about 1948. Legg Bros; on the corner, were Outfitters and Drapers, occupying the premises now Harrops Pharmacy. A very different street to the present day, few of the shop frontages are unchanged and none of the original commercial enterprises remain. Whilst on the subject of changes; traffic today would preclude any attempts to park with such abandon.

Image courtesy of Eric Norton.

Before and After

Do you remember when Harrop’s chemist looked like this?  Wish I weighed as much now as I did on those scales. Thomas Harrop was born in 1914 and educated at Guisborough Grammar School, he served a five-year apprentice at Prosser’s 10 Zetland Road, (do you remember that shop; where Breckon and Shaw’s used to be?) He qualified in 1939, marrying in 1940 he opened the chemist’s in 1957. Sadly Tom passed away in 1980 the shop then was owned by Mr Ray Silver, who served the people of Loftus for many years. Still bearing the trading name of ‘Harrops Pharmacy’ it is now part of Oakside Pharmacy Ltd; it continues to play an important role in the community.

Image and information courtesy of Ray Silver.

Loftus Town Hall

A Frith series postcard of the Town Hall; the card bears a postmark of 1968.
Image courtesy of Carolyn Richards.

Old Junior School

A view of the front of the old junior school; now the Youth and Community Centre. This view was taken before Coronation Park was opened in 1937.

Coronation Park

Coronation Park, Loftus;  to give it the full title: ”King George VI Coronation Park”, being to be known by this name after the Marquis of Zetland gifted the land to  Loftus Urban District Council (chairman Rev. T. C. Booth) in July 1937. This postcard view believed to be by George Skilbeck.

Image courtesy of Ken Johnson and Maurice Grayson.