High Street, Goldenhill back in 1955
Councillor Martin Garner has forwarded a photograph showing High Street, Goldenhill taken in 1955 outside St John’s Church looking towards Kidsgrove.
The question we are all asking, who is the policeman in the photograph? Could it be Joe Smith, who is the Chairman of the Sandyford and Goldenhill Residents Association (S.A.G.E.) who used to be the local policeman when Goldenhill had it’s own police station.
Any stories about Goldenhill back in the 1950’s or about the photograph itself then please contact David Wood who is the S.A.G.E. Website Historian.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings but, the picture was not taken in 1955.
Why not you all say?
Because the street lamps are gas powered and the glass sides are blacked out.
In my memory the street lights were always electric.
Because, there are iron railings on the wall past the shops on the right, those railings were removed to make tanks with, my dad was a tankie and he knew best. 🙂
Because, the street on the right is still called Church Street here and the name was changed to Garbett Street in the early fifties.
Because, the milestone which should be on the left at the top of the church driveway is missing, it was removed during the war to “confuse the enemy” should there have been invasion. In my memory the stone, which is actually cast iron, has always been there so it must have been reinstated after the war.
I’m certain that it isn’t Joe Smith because I don’t recall seeing him wearing a peaked cap, he always wore a helmet.
We could ask him when he joined the police force, which I think would have been around 1952 at the earliest.
In summing up I would definitely say that the picture was taken during the early part of the war.
Perhaps the policeman was a Special Constable or an Inspector, I believe the Specials wore peaked hats.
David Wood
I guess thinking the policeman might have been Joe Smith was a bit optomistic.
The good news is Dave that you are learning visitors to the website a lot more about the history of Goldenhill and Sandyford. Your history knowledge of the area is certainly being appreciated not only by local people but also those who either lived here years ago or know of family or friends who have had links with the area in the past.
Dave please keep up the good work for us in 2014.
hi Dave did you know Florence Jennings now Wallbanks had passsed awayJ Adderley
Yes I did.
I have posted the obituary on Goldenhill Memories Group on Facebook John.
Thanks for telling me anyway.
Hope you are keeping well
hello again Dave our Christine seems to be getting load of info on local happenings even though she is in Aussie how do i get into the goldenhill memories facebook? my no 0793603720
Set up an account, on Facebook,no money or bank details involved.
Use your full name.
Apply to join Goldenhill Memories and I will accept you.
Dave