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Like all towns and cities throughout Britain, Loftus residents gathered in Loftus Market Place to celebrate the Coronation of King George V on 22nd June,1911. Edward VII had only reigned for only eight years following the death of his mother, Queen Victoria; George V was to reign until 1936 and was the father of George VI and grandfather of our present Queen Elizabeth II. Imagine trying to hold a similar celebration today in the Market Place?
We have been here many times but this is the first image I have seen with some market stalls on the Bank side of the Market Place; wonder what they were selling and perhaps it was part of the Loftus Wool Fair? The image is from a postcard view possibly by T.C. Booth and judging by the style of dress of the young people could be early in the 20th century.
Here we are again, in the Market Place, but what date? The iron railings are still in place so is it pre 1940? HELP! Apologies also for the cropped appearance of this image; it arrived as seen and the Archive continues to hope for an improvement.
We haven’t got any details about this photograph. Although the licensee’s name is clearly visible. The flags are out and one or two of the men are wearing uniform. Can anyone tell us more about it? Image courtesy of Joyce Dobson.
Is there any other Market Place so well photographed? This image is taken from a ”cropped” National Series postcard, showing the Market Place well with some traffic; with a caption stating it being in 1950. Image courtesy of Jean Hall.
A lovely framed postcard image of Loftus Market Place, the time on the clock can be clearly seen and the Loftus Urban District Council crest gives an idea of the period; pity there isn’t a date on it.
A different photograph of the Market Place, once again we can see the Westminster Bank, next to it is Hintons, and then Pullars, who were a dry cleaners. Looking at the way the men are dressed and the car makes me think that this photograph was taken in the 1950’s, do you agree? Joan Webster tells us: “Pullars were later bought out by Rapid Cleaners”. Thanks to Joan Webster for the update.
 Here we are at the Market Place again; it would seem that what was Dodds or MacKenzies shop is now the Council Offices, although the Chemist, Post Office and the National Provincial Bank are all present, then just in the photograph is Hintons. It hasn’t changed much over the years, the car in the picture makes me think the early 1950’s. Do you agree?
Do you remember Loftus Post Office looking like this? I do although not the ladies in the doorway; it was Mr Middleton ( I think they called him unless you know better) who worked there then. We now have identified the lady on the left as Florrie Woodall, she later married Thomas Jones c.1923 – he became the head gardener at Skelton Castle – and they were the parents of Deryck Jones. Updated information courtesy of Olive Bennett.
What a lovely photograph – taken in natural light – clearly showing the clerks busy at work. Notice the assay scales on the front counter, the pens in their inkwells and what looks like the only light source in the building – no wonder banks always closed at 3.00 pm! No bullet-proof glass in those days! This interior today is much changed, lighter and seemingly more spacious. |
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