Ledbury Past and Present

Note that where old and new pictures are shown side by side, you can click on the old picture to see a larger version

Homend
September 1964	October 2007
A nice shot of The Homend on a sunny September day in 1964 provides an interesting contrast with the modern view from 2007.  Superfically little has changed but closer inspection reveals a great deal of interest.  Note how the building to the far right did not used to have a flat roof at the top of its turrets.  Also, the terrace of houses at the junction with Belle Orchard have gained some additional windows.  However, the most dramatic change is to the third building from the left.  Modernisations like this are very rare in Ledbury but a chat with Pip Powell, owner of the bicycle shop and keen local historian, revealed that the change had been forced upon the owners when a Bulmers Cider lorry crashed into the building many years ago!  Fortunately, no one was hurt but the loss of the fine shop front is a real shame. One obvious feature that shows continuity over the years is the barber's pole visible on the left.  This marks the site of Thorne's Hairdressers that has been in business for over 60 years!  Established in 1947 by E.H.Thorne, it was taken over by his son, Colin, in the early 1980's.  Thanks to Chris for the info.

Homend Nr Infants School
March 1964	April 2007
A super shot of the northern end of The Homend.  The obvious loss here is the infants school to the left of the 1964 view.  It's nice to see the old school wall still in place, however.  The far right of the old shot shows many buildings that no longer exist.  The Tesco store takes their place today. Note the Castrol sign in the old picture.  It looks like there has been a garage on the site for many years and Texaco continue the tradition today.

Homend Nr Newbury Park
March 1964	April 2007
Here, we've moved even further north as we head towards the railway station.  In the far distance, the rail bridge can be seen. Not much has changed here but note how the brick pillars in the wall surrounding the house to the left have been reduced in height.

Meates Coal Office
April 1964	April 2007
Firstly, please accept my apologies that this isn't to my normal standard of accuracy for re-creating an old view!  Basically, this one wasn't planned.  It wasn't until I walked up to the station that I realised that I'd found the location of the picture of Meates Coal Office that I'd seen in the collection.  I recognised the scene instantly but couldn't recollect the details of the old shot. The signs on Meates reveal that it had been established way back in 1861.  Although not surprising to see it replaced by a nusery, it is a little sad.

Ledbury Stn Exterior
February 1964	April 2007
What can you say about this pair of pictures other than 'depressing'...  Why did they insist on demolishing so many fine, old railway buildings?  The 1964 shot includes something you don't see much of today - note the trolley full of milk churns to the left of the station entrance.

Rail Bridge Hereford Rd
January 1964	April 2007
This rail bridge was already disused by the time my father took his picture in 1964.  It used to carry traffic on the GWR branch line to Gloucester but services from Ledbury had ceased in 1959.  I'm afraid I couldn't time my modern view to capture the shadows under the bridge!  The bridge now carries the Town Trail footpath which I highly recommend.  It gives a new perspective on Ledbury.

Orchard Lane
January 1964	April 2007
A bit further down the GWR branch line, it is clear that the line was closed in 1964 as the bridge had been removed! The modern view shows that the road has been widened and a footbridge added.

Orchard Lane
September 1964	October 2007
This shot is looking in the opposite direction to the one above and is close to the junction with Belle Orchard which can be seen heading off to the right of both pictures.  It's clear that Orchard Lane has been widened noticably and the old buildings to the left have all been swept away.  The fence seen to the right of the 1964 picture is still there in 2007 - it's just lost in the darkness of the hedge.

Belle Orchard From East
August 1964	October 2007
Belle Orchard is of special importance to me as it is where I was born!  Not much in the way of change here expect for the obvious growth in privately owned cars.  In addition, a block of retirement apartments can be seen where Belle Orchard meets Orchard Lane.

Belle Orchard From West
September 1964	October 2007
Looking up Belle Orchard towards the town centre, there is little sign of change other than the obvious intrusion by cars and vans!

Bye St
October 1963	April 2007
Here we are looking from Bye Street towards Bridge Street.  Again, only gentle change is witnessed here.  The Brewery Inn can be seen in both shots, as can the Fire Station.  The advertising hoardings of the past have been replaced with a hotch-potch of windows.

Bye St
February 1964	April 2007
A close up of the scene above shows a bit of town life.  The woman in the head scarf walks in the road unconcerned about the dangers of traffic, a elderly lady cleans her windows and an old chap cycles past both of them. You can make out the rail bridge in the 1964 picture.  Also visible is an advert for 'The Haunting' at the Hereford ABC cinema.

Bridge St
October 1963	April 2007
At the crest of Bridge Street near it's junction with Bye Street was the bridge over the GWR branch line.  The changes here are not too dramatic - the loss of the large house close to the bridge is the main feature.

Bridge St / Lower Rd From East
September 1964	October 2007
Where Bridge Street meets Lower Road, there is change to be seen.  Behind the new house to the right of the modern view is Lower Road Trading Estate.  In 1964, this area was all fields as shown more clearly in the picture below.  Despite this, the old style phone box and the unusual kink in the road provide some continuity. The road leading off to the left of both pictures is Oatleys Crescent.

Lower Rd From West
August 1964	October 2007
Further down Lower Road and looking back towards the site of the photo above, the loss of the fields in disguised by the trees that border Lower Road Trading Estate to the left of the modern view.  The road leading off to the right of both pictures is Victoria Road.

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