ASSORTED VIEWS BY SUBJECT
BREWERIES CARNIVAL CEMETERY COMMERCIAL GRYMES DYKE INDUSTRY MAYORALTY PEOPLE PUBS RAILWAY SCHOOLS STREETS THEATRES TRANSPORT TYMPERLEYS
A004-2627
Daniells Brewery Offices at 6 Maidenburgh Street, Colchester. Unused card but pencil note on back gives name of T W Chenery. Perhaps the man in the picture? These buildings still exist.
A057-1521
Mersea Road Colchester. A carnival procession. Card unposted.
A058-2271
Hospital Carnival 1926. The procession travelling down Mersea Road with two Daily Mail vans at the head. 'Go On Steve' on a sign on a donkey. On the sign on the left you can just make out the word 'Bespoke'.
A072-588
Hospital Carnival 1926 is written on the back of this card. Head Street. Much detail. Navy and Army Stores. Halford Cycle Accessories. J A Wheeler restaurant. Buckingham. 0339 HK solid wheel vehicle with Willett sign, pulling a highly decorated float. Red Indian on horseback.
3 - 651
Colchester Carnival preparations, postally unused but pencil date June 28, 1934
A045-864
Unveiling the war memorial at the cemetery on Mersea Road, by P Sanders, Mayor of Colchester. Dedication by the Bishop of Colchester. April 23rd 1923. The Southgate Studio, Short Wyre Street.
The grave of Bishop Whitcombe. Go here for further details. Unposted.
A269-553
Unused but in pencil, 'Funeral of R H Whitcombe Bishop of Colchester March 23rd 1921 Died March 19th Age 59 Bishop since 1909'. Shows the bottom of Mersea Road with St John Abbey wall on the left.
A543-1458
Colchester Cemetery, unused card by E Dennison Binns of Mersea Road.
A110-383
Unused postcard. Notes on back read, 'Part of Gryme's Dyke, Stanway, looking N about 100 yds south of Stanway Green. Colchester Museums photo, price 6d.'. Note the ranging poles and the briefcase. Otherwise, this card has to be the most boring in our collection.
Col39
An image donated to us by local collector Simon Gallup. He suggests that it could be of the Leamings factory.
A187-1310
This is a photograph and not a postcard and it shows a three wheeled vehicle of Davey Paxman and Co. transporting one of their engines.
This features a Scammel Mechanical Horse which was produced until 1965. It was also purchased in large numbers by British Railways, as it would turn in its own length, a useful feature for crowded railway stations. (info from John Hunter.)
26 - sold
Paxman29 - kb18
A009-7783
Head Street, Colchester. Mayoral proclamation of the death of King Edward VII, who died on 6th May 1910. Card by W Gill of Colchester, whose shop front is shown in the picture. Birthday greetings on rear sent by E M E of 66 Barrack Street, May 13th 1910. Posted May 14th.
The lower picture was taken in August 2010 and shows how the building looked in2010.
A204-1112
Card posted 30th May 1910 with a one penny stamp and sent to Madamoiselle Germaine Bousain? in Pas de Calais, France. The card shows the ceremony at Colchester's town hall to proclaim the new king, as the card above. It is understood that this ceremony was performed in several locations around the town. Where else, one wonders?
A005-733
Grimes and Emma. 34 H G R C. Photo by Gill. Unposted card. These two people were well known tramps of the period with many stories told about them.
The1881 census shows Emma Taylor, aged 21, living next to the British Lion pub in Stanwell Street and describing herself as a prostitute. She must have been quite a character.
A006-2385 (and A127-400, no 34 pencil note Muriel Wiles of St John Street, unposted)
Grimes and Emma. H G R C. Photo by Gill. Unposted card. These two people were well known tramps of the period with many stories told about them.
A089-4965
Emma and Grimes. Unposted. This card is in very fine detail and their clothing shows much wear and repair. Emma has a clay pipe in her mouth.
A131-345
unposted
A365-1700
Posted 7th November 1904 to Mr W E B Wilton of Camberwell.
A426-750
Unposted.
A038-381
Two Hannahs. Published by H G R C . Unposted.
20 - 629
The Eccentric Sisters Annas of Colchester. Postally unused.
A063-815
St Leonards Laundry (Colchester) Ltd. Some sort of works outing. Unposted and no comments. One lad at front in army uniform. Moore's coach. Could this be at the Hythe?
A076-453
Mr Freddy Bird of the Plough Hotel, outsde his beer tent, somewhere. Unposted.
A085-495
A group of people after a big party at the Town Hall. Unposted.
B001-Day
This postcard came to us from Mrs Day of Colchester and shows two Vulcan buses and occupants outside the Foundry pub in Artillery Street. 1920's?
We received the following details in March 2013:
I was curious about the vehicles in the picture. Checking PSV Circle information I see they were owned by AW Berry and Sons of Port Lane Motor Works, Colchester. They also had bases in Brightlingsea and West Mersea.
The front vehicle is, as stated, a Vulcan and is of the 2-ton type fitted with a 20-seat charabanc body. The other vehicle must be HK7215 (the only vehicle owned with a registration starting HK721). It was a Dennis 35/40hp with a 29-seat charabanc body. The Dennis joined the fleet in 1920 and the Vulcan in June 1922. Withdrawal dates and disposal details are not known but they were (unsurprisingly) not in the fleet when Berry's sold out to Eastern National in 1937.
Andrew Colebourne
Thanks Andrew.
B002-Shaw
This postcard came to us from Mrs Angela Shaw of Colchester whose family are shown outside the Gaiety pub, on Mersea Road. The building still stands. 1950's?
Angela identified the landlord, Bert Wilton on the far left and then several members of her family and friends. She named people from the families of Samson, Holbrow, Curnow, Lingard.
A112-2486
This is not a postcard but an early photograph. It shows a Colchester Corporation Tramway tram with its 'clippy', whom we believe to have been Miss Helen R Castell. She has CCT on one lapel and what looks like an 18 on the other. A sign to the side of the tram mentions the troops, so we assume that this picture dates from the 1914/18 period. The 1901 census shows a Helen H Castell, aged 5 years, living with her family at 59 Northgate Street, Colchester. The back of the photo says that it was at the Lexden Terminus.
A119-1159
St Leonards Boy's Brigade. Church company outing with St Leonards church, Hythe Hill in the background. LN 924- . Unposted.
A120-4709
St John's Ambulance men at the tram garage. Unposted. Card by Whitfield Cosser and Co. of Colchester, Salisbury, Ipswich and Bath. On the ground in front and several in the back row appear to have either 'Motorman' or 'Conductor' on their hats. The other men are either in civvies or have a particular uniform. J Bare, Fishmonger of St Botolphs Station is advertised on one tram.
Here follows an extract from an email (Nov 2014) from Philip Beeton of Colchester who said, '......my grandfather, Ernest Grigg, is in the picture, fifth from the right in the back row wearing his South African war medals! I’ve never seen this picture anywhere before.'
A121-1109
The Ship Inn charabanc outing 3rd July 1921. Unposted. The building behind is the Ship Inn, the building on the town side of Priory Street and East Hill. It is a National vehicle. HK9077 is the reg no of the vehicle behind. The National Omnibus and Transport Co Ltd Walter James Iden, joint managing director. Vehicle number 2045.
A122-909
Bus 207 Capel, driver and conductor
A123-608
Leamings clothing factory, with comment in pencil that the building was burned down by a German bomb in the 1940's. Card by Bradley and Blowers, 11 Mersea Road. Unposted.
A003-2299
The football at the front has 'Colchester 1912-13 Imperials ' written on it. A silver cup stands to the left of the ball. Unposted but with a lengthy written message to and from unknown. Card by Whitfield Cosser and Co. 25 people shown with at least 11 in football kit.
A139-220
Ram Patrol, 1st Colchester (Boy Scouts?), Camp 1911. Unposted.
A168-2199
The Pleasures of Motoring - Filling with petrol. Card by Clarke and Hyde, location unknown but posted by C Rutter? from Tudor House, 48 High Street, Colchester in 1906 to Miss M Pullen (Shrimp) of Cretingham, Suffolk.
A174-284
The Rt Rev R H Whitcombe, Bishop of Colchester. Unused card by Beagles Postcards.
A176-579
Unused card by Whitfield Cosser and Co showing a gang of drain layers. c1930.
A179-3600
Unused card by E Dennison Binns of Colchester. An election picture probably taken in the new Scout hut in Culver Street, with Worthington Evans up for election, with sponsors Beaconsfield, Balfour and Chamberlain shown on banners.
A196-499
Girl Guides. Unused card by Oscar Way of the Royal Studio, Colchester.
A199-569
Unused card with handwritten date of 1942/43. 'The League of Mercy Wants Your Help'. Many smiling faces from all walks of life here. The picture was taken outside Colchester's town hall and the adjacent Cups Hotel (since demolished).
A205-1237
Headgate 'B' by Oscar Way, postally unused.
Kevin Drury told us that Headgate B were one of eight teams in the newly formed Colchester & District Sunday School Union Football League. He didn't know if A & B meant enough players to split into two teams, or whether it meant 1st and Reserves.
He has got a very similar Headgate FC postcard for 1922-23 when they had joined the Brightlingsea Minor League, aka Colchester & East Essex League, finishing bottom of the eight teams.
A272-2306
E&CCSLTD Jubilee Celebration, Kendall Road., looking west. Unposted.
A280-1099
'Maidstone' Violin Class, Culver Street Weslyan Day School. Posted June 1905 to Master Harold Partridge of Great Horkesley by Aunty Alice and Gwen.
A321-190
Posted in Colchester on 13th March 1905 to Miss E Rhodes, c/o G Pretty of High Street, Colchester. Not a Colchester view but a Colchester connection and of an actress (Miss Zara Dare) who had probably performed in Colchester at some time. London Rapid Photo Co. EC 1785
A349-3462
Card produced by J E Stutter of 17 Errington Road. A photograph of a Colchester Quoits team of unknown date. The two trophies stand on a box that is inscribed, 'Colchester Quoit Players Association - Worthington Evans Challenge Cup'. The middle chap has what looks like 1st World War medals.
A396-1365
The Town Crier. Unused card but written to Ftaher by his affectionate son Joseph
A502-200
Unknown theatrical group with pencilled note on back - 'Barrack Street'.
A001-1277
The Castle Inn, Colchester Brewing Company, on North Station Road. Posted December 1908 to Mr and Mrs Taylor of Sydenham with a Christmas message from A L. The card shows the side door with an 'Ostler's Bell' and the inscription on the gable end states 'Good Accomodation [sic] for Commercials and Cyclists'.
A008-1333
The Grosvenor Hotel on Maldon Road. Posted February 1910 to ? of Tunbridge Wells by somebody with appalling handwriting. Bells Photo Co Ltd of Westcliff on Sea. A0339? The lamp over the door stated RAOB and 589, meaning that it was home to one of the Royal Ancient Order of Buffalo groups.
A011-1499
The Globe Hotel on North Street. 2537. Colchester Brewing Company. A Commerrcial Hotel. Card by John Walker and Co of London, Bells Series. Posted April 1907 to Miss Ella Gillingham of Colchester House, Aylesbury by Vic. 'This is Eva's Hotel', he says.
A012-1740
The Ale Stores at 3 Short Wyre Street. Unposted. A Nicholl and Co house. The ERA Drama Music Taken Here. The gentleman outside is presumably the landlord. The building still exists.
The lower picture was taken in August 2010 and shows how the building looked in 2010.
A013-2100
The Salisbury Hotel on Butt Road. 40936. Card by Bells Photo Co Ltd, Leigh on Sea. Posted April 1907 to Miss Dorothy Crowther of Hebden Bridge, by Stanley.
Demolished around 2005 for a housing development.
A014-5107
The Foresters Inn on Castle Road. Unposted and therefore undated. The signs states, Adam and Sons Entire. The Parlour on the right and the Bar on left. A girder forked motorcycle stands on the left. At the door, the landlady, perhaps, stands with four children. The pub is little changed from today.
A015-1790
The Star Inn, 14 Straight Road. Lexden. Sent to Mr Will Stutter of North Woolwich by FWG of 1 King Coel Road, on 18 May 1914. See also card A073.
Demolished in the 1990's.
A017-2739
The Red Lion, High Street, gateway entrance. An interesting view of what used to be at the end of the yard, now taken up with Lion Walk Shopping Centre. TIC card. Unposted.
A020-2099
The Railway Tavern, Bergholt Road. F W Strong over the door. Colchester Brewing Company. Sent to Miss K Clary? of Liverpool Street, London. in May 1908. Garrard and Son Jobmasters.
A025-1599
The Railway Arms at North Station. The tramlines seem to go right up to the pub. W Adams over the door. A Colchester Brewing Co. sign. Railway Hotel? Unposted.
Demolished in the 1970's to make way for North Station roundabout.
A026-744
The George Hotel on the High Street. Sent to Miss Ethel Bloyce of 33 East Hill by Doris and with the simple message, 'Meet me to-day at 3pm'. dated 18th Feb but year unknown. George V stamp. Proprietor W Osborne.
also,
A439-700
Sent 6th May 1910 to H Taylor Esq of Chelmsford by H P L Triscott? (presumably the proprietor).
A040-2412
Red Lion Hotel. Unposted.
also,
A400-1000
Sent 5th Oct 1914to Miss Helen Hunt? of Lincoln. Card by the Home Counties House Trust
A068-5822
The Woolp[ack Hotel. on St Botolphs Street.Colchester Brewing Company. G H Denman over the door. Bar and Parlour on the right. Sent to Corporal Johnston of the Band of the 16th Lancers, Norwich, for Auld Lang Syne, G Harry Denman, June 4th 11. Card by E Denison Binns. No stamp.
The building was demolished in the 1960's with the building of Southway.
A069-3500
The Crown Inn, Lexden Road. Unposted. Daniell and Sons. The room to the left was the Tap Room.
A073-5579
This was the Star pub on Lexden Straight Road, later becoming Brights and later (1990's) demolished for housing. Over the door it states, Henry Luther Lusted Licensed to sell beer and tobacco and for bagatelle. Daniell and Sons Limited. Very clear detail but fading. We assume that the elderly man is Mr Lusted. Unposted.
A084-520
Red Lion Hotel, passageway through. Sent to Miss Mary Broad of Stourport on 24th Dec 1909 by HEP of 42 Island Street, Galashiels.
A166-1080
Cups Hotel outing. Card unused but dated around 1915. Shows the Cups Hotel in the background and the solicitors Page and Ward above Days Restaurant. It was clearly an all men outing. We don't have any names for those in the picture.
A167-2069
Published by Cleghorn of West Mersea. A Great Eastern Railway motorised bus outside the White Hart (A H Went, proprietor) with the caption, 'Our Wants Supplied'. Sent to 'Baby' of St Marys Cottage, Church Street, Colchester in October 1905 by L M H.
A181-2267
The Rising Sun at the Hythe. Postally unused. Name over door is Walter S Clements, presumably pictured. Hawkins Road, Famous Colchester Oyster Feast Stout Old King Coel Strong Ale.
norfolkdg1
The Norfolk Hotel
This is not a postcard but is from the collection of Mr Don Goodman who was born in Bergholt Road. His grandfather George Sealey is second from the left. c1893? Greene King. Photograph by D Jones of 507 Collyhurst Road, Manchester,
railwaydg01
The Railway Hotel
An unused postcard from the collection of Mr Don Goodman. Ind Coope Allsopp. 1937? Appears to be coronation decorations, suitcases on island. Unused,
A210-3040
The Sun at Lexden
A three horsed cart, three cyclists, outside this pub. Tramlines. Nichol and Co Ltd sign. Unposted.
211-1840
The Leather Bottle
Sent Mat 1954 to Mr J H ..ayer of Chiswick by Aunt B of Norwich. Published by Bell's Photo Co Ltd, ref 141280.
A264-318
The George and the Market Tavern. Posted in 1994 to Miss Enid Richardson of Woodbridge. Winstanley Photography.
A268-613
The Recreation Hotel and Tram Terminus, Newtown. Unposted. Printed in Saxony.
A278-5665
The Albert Pub on the corner of Serpentine Walk and North Station Road. Unposted. The building no longer exists. Owned by London brewers, Truman, Hanbury and Buxton.
Col40
An image donated to us by local collector Simon Gallup. It shows the Cups Hotel.
9 - 850
Red Lion Yard, postally unused, Home Counties Public House Trust
35 - Cups Hotel 01
Moot Hall, Corn Exchange and Cups Hotel before 1886. The hotel was replaced by a later facade. Also showing the town hall that preceded our current Town Hall. Unused. H G R C No 309.
A301-450
A humourous card published by Bamforth and Co Ltd, 'Comic' series no 1282. No connection whatsoever with Colchester but here for fun. Sent 20th June 1958.
A544-420
The Clarence, later renamed the Purple Dog, on Eld Lane. Unused.
A138-174
Colchester College School for Girls and Kindergarten. School of Art, Music and .... on gate. Card posted Jan 1925 from 14 Beverley Road to Mrs Marshall of St Clare Road, Colchester by Amy BV Harley
...and a modern day view (2012).
D002
Unused postcard but handwritten on back, 'With kind remembrance from J Harper North Street School Mar 31 1922'.
6 - 429
Postmarked August 1912, sent to W W Judd, Esq, 49 Wimpole Road
Colchester High School for Boys, all boys under the personal care of Principals. French and German taught orally with pictures by F E Grone, etc.....
7 - 529
Group of school class, believed to be a Colchester school. There is another similar picture. Can anybody recognise it. Postally unused.
In November 2006 we were delighted to receive a reply as follows:
Greetings,
The lad 5th from the right in the back row, wearing dark suit and cap? – my brother and I believe to be our father. His name is Augustus(Gus) Pitts, born 31st July 1903 in North Hill Colchester. We believe the family lived in Northgate Street initially and subsequently moved to Bourne Road. I have tried from the list of Colchester Primary Schools on the web to pin point which school it might be, but living in Australia makes a decision extremely difficult! I estimate the photo would have been taken 1910-11 as the family set sail for Australia March 1912.
Ruth Skinner
Melbourne,
Australia
Thanks Ruth.
11 - 259
Royal Grammar School, Vitae Corona Fides, posted 10 July 1908 to Mrs Plummer of Stowmarket. Photographic Tourist Association.
A402-339
Unposted
16 - sold
Barrack Street School, Class 1. Postally unused but note of Joan age 6 and a half.
A135-1095
Kendall Road Infants A2 IV
A481
Hamilton Road School staff in 1921. Written on the back, Hamilton Road Central School staff of 1921. Miss Payne, H G Sutton. Miss Clark. Mr G Motom. Miss Sewell. E T Chisnall. Seated P Botteril. Mrs Hobday. H G Hodson (head). W H Soar. Miss Dennis.
...and some chatter from November 2014 from Facebook.
Percy Botterill he was still there along with Miss Clarke in 1951 then along came John Tripp as science master.
Sue Pilgrim Bradbury - The same Mr Trip that was ah Alderman Blaxil ?
Kenneth Salmon - Great teacher was John Trip, but I remember Mr Botterlll asking you to describe a spiral spring without moving your hands.
Maggie Burgess - My Mum (now almost 90) was taught by two lady teachers named Dennis when she was at Barrack St school. Maybe this is one if them.
Bob Fitch - Yes Sue he taught both my sons there too.
Diana Benge-Abbott - Female teachers had to leave if they got married. That's why they are all "miss".
Di Duffett - Brilliant picture and to have all the names too.
Sue Pilgrim Bradbury - Bob he taught me a great teacher.
Bob Fitch - I had the pleasure of a game of snooker with Percy Botterill after he retired in the Lexden Star back room where he could often be found.
Kenneth Salmon - How old was Mr Botterill when you played snooker with him Bob?
Bob Fitch - Have to guess Ken, I think I was about 12 when he retired so probably 70.
Kenneth Salmon - I can remember him well.
A483
Denmark Street Boys Scho0l 1907 Standard 4A.
A500-400
East Ward School Greenstead Road? Sent to Miss Doll Webb of Ipswich Road, Colchester by Syd on 11th August 1908. Card producer stamp present but difficult to read. It looks like a mayor seated in front.
A519-900
Royal Studio, Colchester. Unposted. Girls undergoing some PE.
A520-1650
Card sent to Mlle Anne Marie Dailly of Reims in France by Suzy? on 23rd July 1911. Presumably a catholic school group.
A523-1100
County High School
2 - 434
The Royal Grammar School in Lexden Road, posted May 1905, HGRC by Gill
4 -
Colchester Technical College, posted August 1920 to Mrs Holliday of Bradford from Elsie.
A002-2359
Athelstan Road Post Office, Colchester. Unposted card. 'Charles Frost, Licenced Retailer of Tobacco', over the door. To the right is a gate with the number 19 on it.
The lower picture was taken in August 2010 and shows how the building looks today. The buildings either side have dated stones which suggest that this building was built in 1903.
A007-2983
International Stores.. Unposted card by Gilbert Stringer of Colchester. 128 printed on the back. Presumably the manager and his staff standing outside for their picture to be taken. Gas lights in the shop windows. Sylvan Glen Creamery advertised as well as many other products.
We have no idea where this shop was situated but do not think it was in Colchester. Kelly's Directory does not list an International Stores in Colchester. Note the church or chapel building on the right of the picture. Where could this be?
From Simon Gallup, 'with regard to the International card I have now found a faint stamp on the back saying "Gilbert Stringer, Colchester". A little research shows that the business (photography) was started by George Stringer in 1888 from his studio at 106, North Street, Colchester. Then his son, Gilbert, took over and ran the business from 1902 to 1917. By that stage they had moved to 7, Chapel Street, Colchester.'.
A021-3227
Stewarts Ltd Tailors Shop, Head Street. Scarborow and Co next door. Teeth advertised above. Ladies Cloak room pointed towards St Mary's church, along the side lane. Interesting stripes on the box on the pavement - a warning to car drivers perhaps. Not posted but a message on the back from Bert to his sister with an address of 'Linsus', Athelstan Road
The lower picture was taken in August 2010 and shows how the building looks today.
A022-2446
Langdon Baker and Confectioner, 206 Magdalen Street. Mazawallee Chocolate. Allens Confectionery. Not posted but an inscription from the lady pictured to say, 'They have just caught me nicely. I wish I had kept my dial inside. I look like a sentinel'.
We went to find the building but suspect that it was swept away with the construction works in the 1960's for the present day St Botolphs roundabout.
33 - 570
The Colchester Co-operative Society's Drapery, Boot, Clothing, Hardware and Confectionery Departments, opened in 1905. Photograph by Gill, sent c1905 (Edward VII stamp) by MW to Miss Ida B Williamson of Langham, Rutland.
A031-1779
F and E Seear, Tea Rooms. Middleborough. Note says it was next to Bob Eades. Unposted
We went to find the building in August 2010 but it has clearly been demolished many years ago.
A032-4289
Isabel Cadman, Umbrellas and sunshades re-covered. 7 Crouch Street. Unposted. c1915.
The lower picture was taken in August 2010 and shows how the building looks today (assuming No 7 is the same building, much changed).
A035-3562
Mann Brothers of 123 High Street. Card by Whitfield Cosser. Unposted.
The lower picture was taken in August 2010 and shows how the building looks today.
A034-4262
Alan F Hitchcock, Motor Engineer of 121 High Street. Next door 121A Harwich Division Conservatives. Unposted.
We went to find the building in August 2010 but it has been demolished at some time and replaced with a Spar shop.
A033-3794
The London Central Meat Co Ltd of 26 Maldon Road. Card by Stutter? of Errington Road, Colchester. Unposted.
We went to find the building in August 2010 but it has been demolished at some time and replaced with Maldon Road roundabout.
Our postcard was spotted by Gus Hawes of Lowestoft who told us, 'You have a picture of a butcher's shop and I have one two, but mine, I understand, has my dad on it, 3rd from the left. Leslie George Hawes.'. Gus went on to say that, 'interestingly enough, my grandfather Henry Hawes, could well be in the photo that you also have, as he was in the St John's Ambulance Brigade. He is seated on the left with his medals on at the Colchester tram garage. This picture is of him in the St.J.A.B. in Colchester and he seated on the right so you can compare pictures.'.
'He was also a clippy and a picture for you here as well, not the best.'
Thank you Gus. Does anybody recognise anybody else?
A050-639
The Joscelin Cafe, 27a High Street. Not a postcard. Dot printed so poor quality.
We went to find the building in August 2010 and discovered that the building had been demolished and Sloppy Joes and/or Marks and Spencers now occupies the site. This can easily be seen on the postcards shown on our High Street card section. The modern day No 27 High Street is Lloyds Bank, quite some distance to the west. So a building renumbering had also taken place at some time.
A074-588
Soldiers Home and Institution, Queen Street. It has the sign saying it was a coffee tavern, ie no alcohol. The building later became the Police Station until the 1980's and then a bar. Card by Whitfield Cosser. Unposted.
A078-1546
Bullock's Coal Office. Unposted card. Grandad Bacon written on back.
We have no idea at the moment, where this place was located but it was most likely at the Hythe.
A081-3096
J Springett. No 11 Crouch Street?. Purveyor of Tea, Coffee, Cocoa, Ices, etc. In the window we can see the refelction of F T Gosling 'The Noted Pork Butcher and Royal Sausage Maker' who the directory for 1911 tells us that their address was 39 Crouch Street. Card by R Deacon's Imperial Studio of 14 Queen Street. Unposted.
Stratton Mills, Bobbie Nairn, Amurat, Rice Rose and Roseart. All advertised on the Hippodrome poster to the left.
A082-2796
H and A G Jarvis, late T Freestone Jarvis. Butchers. Unposted. Card by the Colchester Photographic Company of Military Road. We have no idea where this shop was located.
A083-820
Clamps, 122 and 123 Priory Street (where Markhams now is). Unposted.
A095-2238
E N Mason and Sons, Bookquest, 4A Crouch Street. Unposted. This shop was selling typewriters as well as other writing equipment.
We assume that this was the forerunner of the Masons printing business that was built at Cowdray Avenue, now all sadly demolished. Bernard Mason bequeathed his home at Tymperleys and his clock collection, to the people of Colchester.
This business later moved to Maidenburgh Street and then to Cowdray Avenue, where Mr Bernard Mason was the owner. He lived at Tymperleys and, on his death, donated that building to the borough, together with its clock collection.
A099-1478
J A Sturton Hardware, Ironmongers, 12 St Botolphs Street. Unposted.
A101-2380
C S Digby confectioners, 24 Head Street. Unposted.
The building no longer exists but would have stood to the right of the Fleece Hotel.
A102-2341
H Thorogood confectioners, 101 High Street. Sent to Mrs Ridgewell of 12 Salisbury Avenue by HWT on 17th July 1905.
This building no longer exists. It once stood to the right of where V Bar now stands. The site was destroyed by fire when Kent Blaxill later occupied the plot.
A103-2341
H and E Edwards butchers and T B Greenwood and Sons, greengrocers. Junction of Osborne Street and St Botolphs Street. Unposted.
This building no longer exists. Perhaps it was destroyed during the bombing raid of the second world war.
A104-2071
Thurston and Son, 33 Crouch Street. Shoe Shop. Sent to Miss Farthing of Newcastle on Tyne by Percy in September 1913. Card by Royal Studio.
This building later (2000s) became 'Robertos' and was then still owned by the Thurston family.
A105-3750
J Bare, Fishmonger. Card unused. Bradley and Blowers, The Studio, 11 Mersea Road, Colchester. Trams of the period carried adverts that said this shop was at St Botolphs Station.
The shop window has a good display of fish for sale but externally the display is of game birds. Fish and fowl mixed.
A106-2946
G Butcher, Confectioner and Caterer of 60 East Hill, Colchester. Card unused.
25 - 2000
J Sainsbury in the High Street
This building stood to the right of the Red Lion on High Street.
A108-3452
Colchester Market, Fruit and Veg. Card unused. Sign states 'E Chopping and Sons, Rolling Mill, Colchester'. Another probably says 'Anderton, Hadleigh'. Who is the lady? Could this have been at the Corn Exchange in the High Street?
A117-5367
Macklin Brothers. Our Motto is Feed the People. Caption states 'Pensioners receiving 2 lbs of Potatoes Free'.
A memory from an unrelated source as follows:
I was six years old when World War I started. There were soldiers galore in the town and everyone had a soldier or two billeted with them. It didn’t matter how many children you had, you still had to take a soldier. We had two staying with us and they had to sleep on the floor on a mattress. When they were embarking for France, there were thousands of soldiers coming out of the barracks. Officers on horseback and these soldiers all singing and whistling as they went along, and the people lined the streets giving them bread, cakes, fruit and cigarettes as they went by. We used to have to queue up for potatoes and margarine at Macklin and Ranson’s. We would stand there for hours sometimes. Then sometimes they would say that they had run out, but we still used to wait until the next lot came in. There was a lot of pushing and shoving. I remember that my older brother used to queue up at the Maypole in Long Wyre Street and he used to carry a box on the back of his bicycle to put his rations in. One night he lost his bike – and his rations. Albert Bridges (born 1908).
also,
A420-2999
Unposted. This second image shows the same sign at the front of the shop so the picture was probably made the same day.
also,
A541-320
Macklin and Ranson, unused.
A186-375
A201-2572
Humphreys Fruiterer and Florist, with a pencil not on the back stating that it was of 207 Magdalen Street, last shop before the Labour club opposite the end of Military Road. Unposted.
On talking with Mrs Betty Day, who, as a child, lived at the Prince of Wales pub, she said that, from her bedroom window, she saw, 1 Labour HQ, 2 Humphreys, 3 Finn's Paper Shop, 4 Caters' Rock Shop, 5. Mr Licence's sweetshop, 6 Mrs Ratten's odds shop, 7 Bed and Breakfast, 8 Hairdressers, 9 Nat Baxter boot repairs, 10 Leveridges.
Her husband Bill Day's father Harry Day took over the Flying Fox from Betty Taylor, having had the Newmarket Tavern before then.
Rita Waters added that the bed and breakfast became the Welwyn Cafe owned and run by her parents Reg and Eileen Smith. She spent much of her childhood there in the late 40s/early 50s. Labour HQ was the Labour Club, Humphries was there and the newsagent was Mr Pilkington. She remember Mr and Mrs Licence and Mrs Ratten very well.
A202-3372
Robert Joseph Daldy and Son. An unposted card with the pencil note on the back stating that this shop was on the corner of Head Street and St John Street and dated September 1915. Also at 24 Priory Street, workshops in Lion Wa;lk, house furnishers, decorators, upholsterers, furniture remover, etc.
A203-1972
William Bibby, seedsman and florist. Card posted 21st March 1908 to Miss Imrie of Bures, Suffolk by Katie. Added note suggests either 13 or 25 North Station Road.
A273-3655
Unposted. Coronation year 2011. No 2 St Nicholas Street. Proprietor A E Death, Shoe Shop.
A279-3900
John Thomas Byford, Military Outfitter, 44 St Botolphs Street. Posted March 1912 to Mr Albert G Cross ??? Durrant of Loughton by ? (water damage to ink) who states that he is sending this picture of Clarence junior assistant, presumably he on the left of the picture.
Col38
An image donated to us by local collector Simon Gallup. It is of the Maldon Road Cycle and Motor Cycle Depot.
A306-1109
J A Wheeler, 21 Head Street. Restaurant. The building still exists. At one time it was Thorogoods, bakers. Posted 2nd July 1912 to Miss Gertie Robinson of Felixstowe by Elsie.
A517-4460
Wrights Colchester Ltd vans. Thorneycroft vehicles. NO 9262, HK 7518. Unused postcard.
1938Dickss
Not a postcard, but two photographs.
Shoe shop.
PercyKing1s
Not a postcard, but two photographs.
18th April 1929
Crouch Street?
01BarrackStreetss
Corner of Brook Street and Barrack Street.
Reynolds Grocers.
A028-717
Castle Road, 40964 [?], Bells Photo Co. Sent to Mr G Sexton of Royston, Herts by ? Munson in April 1907
A029-817
Errington Road 40926, Bells Photo Co. Unposted
A448-550
Roman Road. Posted May 3rd 1907 to Mr H E Wilton of Forest Gate by S D W? Card by Bell's Photo Co.
A198-599
Not a postcard. Bergholt Road Off Licence. Daniells Fine Ales and Stout in Bottle. Grocer, Confectioner, Salads, Tobacco and Minerals and many readable adverts of the period for various branded products.
A039-633
Colchester School of Science and Art. Sent to Mrs Hattie Potten of Greenstead Road in October 1909, by CW. English Liberty by A A Seaton BA is advertised on a board. In 2010 this building is the Co-operatve Bank.
A036-867
Interior of the Grand Theatre, photo by Kirk and Davis. Posted August 190 to Mrs G Lingly of Sudbury by her son.
A256 - 309
Card by Senior and Co of Bristol. Postally unused but written on back is address 1 Gladstone Road, Colchester and the name Ivy.
(Another card as this one is knowand which was postmarked 1905)
A334-1885
The Minories Folly, built to stage medieval passion plays, so we are told. Unposted and undated.
Vaudeville on Mersea Road, being demolished.
A080-2899
Tram No 18. Sent March 1908 to Mrs Thomas Gardner of Kersey? Upland, Boxford by granddaughter Ethel. She writes...'you will see Percy stand on the front of the car now going to drive to the station.' Lexden?
also,
A413-1900
Tram No 18 to Lexden. Unposted.
tramdg1
This is a mystery postcard from Mr Don Goodman's collection. We can see the tramlines in the road - but where was it taken? It is a locally sent card to Miss E Jones of 16 Weelesly Road, Colchester by Bertha Sealey. No stamp or date. Photo by E Monter.
Col43
An image donated to us by local collector Simon Gallup. Unposted and therefore undated. It shows the old bus station in St John's Street, before it was relocated off Queen Street. At a guess we would say c1930.
also,
A531
unposted
1 - sold
Dated July 1911, To Mr H Tyler of Yoxford from E B
'Our Coronation car with nearly 500 lamps'.
24 - 2451
A superb quality card from 1919, showing an outing of men (on the top) and women (on the bottom) with a motor omnibus. The vehicle carries advertisements of H L Griffin of Colchester and Moore's of Colchester. The gentlemen on the top appear to be proudly displaying wicker clad stoneware containing, no doubt, some sort of alcoholic beverage. The quality is so good that faces are clearly distinguishable. The card is unused but there is a printed line stating, FRED FITCH PHOTOGRAPHER, MARKS TEY.
The Essex County Standard of 10th October 2008 reported feedback from David Ricks and Andrew Waters. The picture is shown in Bryan Everitt's book about the Moores brothers of Kelvedon. The picture was taken in May 1919 at Copford Green. The bus had been purchased, second hand, from the Colchester bus firm, A W Berry. The driver, resting on the running board is George Mayhew. At that time the bus was not repainted but the Berry name was replaced with Moores and the number 6 telephone number was squeezed in. The picture was taken on the occasion of an outing of the Copford darts and quoits team.
Can anybody give us a clue as to who the rest of the folk were?
A387-2400
Great Eastern Railway Express Train at Colchester Station. Sent to Mrs G Wright of Stoke by Nayland by Ruth on 14th December 1905. 2162
Identified by Roddy Ashworth as a Holden E4 (GER T26) 2-4-0
http://www.lner.info/locos/E/e4.shtml
also,
A395-200
A photograph, not a postcard. handwritten notes on back LNE 5414 built 1891 Class J15 0-6-0 Ex GE 925 W 1949
28 - kb15
Colchester Station, 2161, posted Aug 1906
see more pictures (not postcards) of Colchester railway sites here.
Not a postcard.
A photograph dated on back as shown, at a tram depot and after the trams had ceased in operation in the town. What became of it?
Here's a story that we found about trams and trains in Colchester.
I shall never forget coming across one of the old Colchester Trams being used as a garden shed in a garden behind a bungalow near Colchester. A splendid creation, of simple, renaissance, lines, all mahogany and engraved glass. Even in its undignified old age, full of spades and wheelbarrows, it looked wonderful. It was over thirty years ago I saw it, and it has probably been destroyed since.
The Colchester tram system was introduced to get over an awkward problem; Colchester Station is some distance from Colchester, and the town itself was served by a branch line that had an elegant terminus at St Botolphs, and also served the docks. This wouldn't do. Colchester station was originally the point at which two rival railways met in 1846 (the Eastern Union and the Eastern Counties), and such was their spirit of passive hatred that the actual meeting point half-way down the station platform was a sudden kink in the line that caused generations of subsequent travellers to spill their coffee. Feelings were running high between the two concerns and they were only just dissuaded from building two rival stations no more than a few hundred yards apart. The two railways couldn't bring themselves to line up properly, and the sharp curve in the station was not ironed out until 1961. The station could not be built nearer the town without two very expensive river crossings, and both railway companies were already in a state of financial melt-down.
The first optimistic solution, by the Eastern Counties Railway, was to encourage the development of the town around the new station. To this end, they built a massive railway hotel, in order to encourage an urban sprawl around it. It was a commercial disaster and quickly was adapted to become a Lunatic Asylum. The eventual solution was a fleet of horse-drawn wagons to convey travellers across the Colne valley to Colchester. Then, at last, came the tram...
The trams started working in 1904. They started at the North Station and all ran up the North Hill where the routes diverged to Lexden, East Gate, and the Hythe. In 1906, a fourth tram-route opened to the recreation ground. In all there were eighteen trams. Sixteen had been built for the launch of the service and the two others were added for the Recreation-ground line. Anyone who has regularly had to walk from the station to the town will be able to imagine the relief of having such a civilised way of getting to and from North Station. Surprisingly, the system gradually faded away and closed altogether at the end of 1929. The age of the Omnibus had arrived.
The trams were all disposed of locally as sheds and stables. Very few pictures of the trams exist, though a Mr Carter from London was, at one time, preparing a history of the tramway. Fortunately, Leslie Oppitz includes an account of the Colchester Tramway in his book 'Lost Tramways of East Anglia', and includes a number of old photographs.
As for me, I shall always cherish the magic of that sunny afternoon as I sat in the overgrown garden in the old Colchester tram, amongst the sacks and empty seed-packets, imagining the rumble and hum, as the old Colchester of Georgian coaching-inns and cavernous emporiums moved slowly past those beautiful engraved windows.
posted by Andrew Clarke in 2005
A109-1210
HGRC Photo by Gill. Card unused. This building is thought to have once been part of Sir William Gilberd's house. It later became home to Mr Bernard Mason who was a collector of old clocks. When he died he left the building and clock collection to the borough and they turned it into a clock museum. It was under the threat of closure as a museum in October 2010.
Looking at this modern day picture of the same building, so much has been done to alter it. See also the shops and commercial premises section and look for E N Mason and Son, for further details.
180 images
More pictures will be added in due course, together with comments.
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