The Kemble Theatre 1918.

A few old pics from the days of the "Kemble Theatre" in Broad Street.The old building was opened in 1858 as "The Corn Exchange"built specifically for the markets that were held in and around Broad Street in those days.The building was enlarged in 1911 by local builders "Beavan & Hodges" to include a public hall and theatre and went on to stage many different types of shows and films for many years. Above are pics showing the building in all it's glory and some very rare pictures of the cast and programme from the February 1918 production of "Cinderella"
Sadly for Hereford the Theatre ceased to stage productions in 1961 and the building was demolished in 1963 to make way for what is known today as boring old "Kemble House"

Many Thanks to Jan Preedy for all her help.

If anyone has any information please contact ; oldhereford@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hereford-United-Kingdom/Old-Hereford-Pics/42752762059?ref=sgm

Eign Gate in the Snow.

With snow on it's way, thought this was a good time to show this great old pic.This is probably one of the first ever pictures of what was Eign Street at the time and nowadays better known as Eign Gate.It looks like the picture was taken from the old "Jessons" area of the street with "All Saints Church" in the distant background.
Any information would be welcome if you can help at;
oldhereford@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hereford-United-Kingdom/Old-Hereford-Pics/42752762059?ref=sgm

One Year Old Today.

One year old today, 4500 hits on "Old Hereford Pics" and nearly 500 friends on our "Facebook" page.I would just like say it started out as just a thought, showing off a few old pics I had around the house and we have come this far in such a short time.I hope along the way I have not trod on too many toes and put any one's nose out of joint.It seems to have hit the right chord with people who live, have lived or at some time had a connection with the old city.I must say it has been a lot of hard work but I think worth it judging by the comments we have received.
I would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to have a look and all those who have contributed at some point through the year.
A very special thank you must go to Clive Massey for all his help and support in getting me up and running.I could not have done it without your help.
I would also like to thank Gary Morris who has been such a great help on the Facebook site and without his wealth of knowledge I don't know where we would be.Keep it up Gary.
Lastly I would like to say a big THANK YOU to my wonderful wife Jo and beautiful daughter Charlotte for putting up with me over the last 12 months while working on this project.

Anyway I would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Here's to the next year.

Morgans,Wye Valley Motors.

Some great old pics from from Morgans "Wye Valley Motors" a very common site on the roads of Hereford from the 1940s through till the 1960s. As the pictures show they were based in St Martins Street where the garage still stands today.
Top pic; A common site braving the floods in St Martins.
Pic 2; Local Dog Show I think organised by the company sometime in the 1940s.
Bottom pics; Some of the great old buses that could be found in the fleet over the years.

Many Thanks to Mr.Ian Morgan and Gary Morris for their help.

Any information would be gratefully received please contact;

oldhereford@gmail.com

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High Town.

Old ariel view of High Town possibly in the late 1940s early 1950s.The only change from today's scene is that the "ODEON" and most of Maylord Street has now become the Maylord's Orchards Shopping Centre.

Old Chadds Poster 1959.

Old Chadds back to school promo poster from 1959.

Belmont in Flood 1965.

Old pic taken in December 1965 of Belmont Road in flood. As you see this part of Hereford has not changed that much since 1965.The tall building in the middle of the picture has now gone, but the Roundabout Stores and Pool Farm now (The Dentist) still remain today.If you are unlucky enough you may even get to see it in flood even after Hereford's £5 million flood scheme.

Castle Green Bandstand.

The short lived Castle Green Bandstand and Redcliffe Gardens situated on the lower side of the Castle Green in the early 1970s.The project was completed in 1969 and was very impressive with it's new Bandstand it's waterfall and it's large pool which was crossed by a small footbridge.

Unfortunately the waterfall and pool was never really looked after by the powers that be and was closed and filled in the 1990s.The same was to happen to the Bandstand and after years of complaints from local residents was pulled down by the authorities.

It seems such a shame the city has not bothered to replace the old Bandstand with something more in keeping with today's needs.

Hereford United Supporters Club.

Old pic from the old Hereford United Supporters Club in Edgar Street taken in 1972.The picture shows some of Hereford Uniteds memorabilia from their great FACup run in the 1971/72 season.The poster on the wall is from the "docu" film "Cup Glory" which was made to mark the centenary of the FACup that year.The old supporters club stood at the back of the Meadow End and all that remains to be seen today are the concrete foundations.
Any information please contact oldhereford@gmail.com
Picture; Mr.Wendell Smith.

Greenland's Toy Department

Old picture of the long gone toy department in Greenland's department store.The toy section was situated in the basement and was the highlight of every child's trip into town, especially at Christmas when they were taken to meet Father Christmas in his grotto.

The old store was sold to Marks & Spencer for £350.000 and closed in 1968.

The Old House 1950s and 60s.

Just a couple of old pics of the Old House and High Town from the 1950s and 1960s.As you can see things haven't changed that much, just the names the styles and certainly the modes of transport.

The River Wye Ferry.

A set of old pics of the now long gone "Wye Ferry" that used to cross the river in Hereford for many years.The ferry was originally situated by the old General Hospital but when the Victoria Bridge was opened in 1898 the ferry was no longer required so was moved upstream for the people of Hunderton and Broomy Hill to use to cross the river instead of having to make the long walk down to the Old Wye Bridge.

The ferry "Princess Mary" was re sited upstream by the Villa Hotel in Hunderton and was originally a rope ferry where the ferryman would pull you over the the river while standing in the boat,but this was certainly not one of the safest of methods of doing the job.

In the 1920s Mr.Tom Preedy took over the ferry and converted it to a boat with the flat back and front known as a (punt)which you can see in the pics.This was a much safer way to transport people and he would row the boat back and forward across the river.Some years later Tom Preedy was joined by his son Walter Preedy to help on the river and Walter remained on the ferry until the mid 1960s.In the 60s the fair was as little as : 3d adult, 1 1/2d child, but sadly times had changed,the old railway bridge was closed to trains so people made there way across the redundant bridge.The ferry was no longer required and Walter retired the old boat.

Top pics ;Mr.Tom Preedy in his boat "The Princess Mary" and on the steps to the ferry at the Villa Hotel.

Bottom pic ; Mr.Walter Preedy in "The Princess Mary"in front of the Villa Hotel.

Many thanks to Jan Preedy for her time,help and the use of these family pics.

Hereford Regatta

Early 1960s postcard image of the River Wye with "Hereford Rowing Club" in the background.It looks very much like a training session for one of the teams about to take part in the Hereford Regatta. At one time this was one of Hereford's great social events which took place every Spring Bank Holiday on the river with thousands of spectators attending every year. As you can see work on the Greyfriars Bridge had not yet started this was later completed and opened for traffic in 1966.

Midland Red.

A couple of old pics of 1960s "Midland Red" buses in and around the Hereford area.

Top, outside the Shirehall and bottom pic Hereford Bus Station.

Hereford County Hospital.

Early aeriel view of the "Hereford County Hospital" as it was before it's rebuilding in the 2000's.
Built on the site of the old "Hereford Union Workhouse"in 1937.The hospital was built to cope with the growing population in Herefordshire as the "Hereford General Hospital"

was stretched to the limit.In 1939 the addition of the 10 hutted wards were added, built to last 10 years and they still remain today.

Hereford Business's,Early 1970s

Just a few of Herefords old business's from the early 1970s, some you may remember some you may have forgot,but still worth a look at.
Any information please contact

oldhereford@gmail.com

Working Boys Home.

Old picture taken I think around the 1890's of boys from the Working Boys Home.I think the home was situated somewhere in Bath Street at that time.

If anyone can shed any light on this, that would be great,as at the moment i have very little information on the subject.

The Odeon Cinema."High Town"

The "ODEON" cinema High Town.Two old pics from 1949 and 1968 showing the grand old building.The "ODEON" cinema name was created in 1928 by "Oscar Deutsh" and it was so called "Oscar Deutsh Entertains Our Nation" or the short version we all know"ODEON".
I dont know when Hereford's cinema was first opened but it was pulled down in the 1980s to make way for the Maylords Orchard Shopping Centre.

If anyone can help with any of the dates it opened and closed that would be of great help, even better a couple of your old pics would be much appreciated.

Send to ; oldhereford@gmail.com

Tupsley Hospital.

Old picture of "Tupsley Hospital"taken about 1900.The hospital was situated just off "Gorsty Lane" and known in those days as "The City of Tupsley Infectious Disease and Isolation Hospital".The hospital was opened in 1893 to house patients with infectious diseases such as Scarlet Fever,Diphtheria and Smallpox and was constructed using prefabricated iron buildings.Built at first with just 12 beds it eventually had anything up to 24 beds at any one time.In 1902 a further unit was added to treat Smallpox cases a quarter of a mile away off "Holywell Gutter Lane"Both buildings were closed down after the Second World War as the few cases that did arise were treated at the new "County Hospital".

The "Hereford's" City March 1967.

The Herefordshire Light Infantry.

Some great old views of the City from 1967 when the Hereford's marched through the city's streets.

The history of the Herefordshire Light Infantry starts in 1860 with the formation of eight Rifle Volunteer Corps in Herefordshire, which were brought together as the 1st Administrative Battalion, the Herefordshire Rifle Volunteers. There were additionally, three corps of the Battalion in Radnorshire.The reforms to both the regular and volunteer elements of the Army during this period brought about the first of four name changes in 1880, when the title was altered to The Herefordshire Rifle Volunteer Corps (Hereford & Radnor).In summary, the Regiment played a significant role in the three major wars of the first half of the 20th Century. It acquitted itself at the highest level, and its reputation, as the only TA Regiment to be given the honour of becoming 'Light Infantry', is unrivalled.

Mother's Pride Bakery.

The now long gone "Mother's Pride Bakery" Three Elms Road.The bakery was built in 1958 by "Rank Hovis McDougall Ltd" and extended in 1961 to accommodate a confectionery unit.Further extensions were done in 1964 due to the increase in business. At one time up to 160 vehicles a day were operating from the plant.The plant finally closed it's doors in 1982 and was demolished in 1983 to make way for a "Sandford's D i y Superstore".

Chave & Jackson.

Mr.J.J,Jackson pictured in the doorway of Chave & Jackson in 1904.Opened in 1830 at number 6 Broad Street by Mr.Henry Llanwarne.The chemist was known as "Duggan & Chave" until Mr. Duggan retired in 1868.The business then traded under the name "W.S..Chave" until

Mr. Jackson arrived from London in 1880 to form the name as we know it today Chave & Jackson.The store still occupies the same site and also took over number 7 Broad Street for major refurbishment in 1964.
Many Thanks to Pauline Williams of Chave & Jackson.

Sun Valley Transport.

Picture from the early 1970s showing one of the huge fleet of trucks once used by Herefords largest employer "Sun Valley".This is a site we will never see again as the company now go's
under it's present parent company name "Cargill"

Victoria Hotel.(the missing pic)

The third pic from a set of three of the last days of the Victoria Hotel on the corner of Widemarsh Street and Newmarket Street 1967.The hotel finally closed it's doors on the 7th October 1967 to make way for the Inner Relief Road.In the background is the Wellington Inn looking much the same as it does today.Now known as JDs.
Many Thanks to Mr Mark Farmer who's father Arthur took this pic from a upstairs window while he was landlord of the Old Harp Pub.

Burghill Asylum.Hereford

Old Postcard image taken early 1900s of "The Asylum". Burghill.Opened in 1871 at a cost of £67.000 it was known as "The Hereford County and City Lunatic Asylum".It was later extended in 1900 at a cost £40.000 and could accommodate up to 550 inmates as they were called in those days.The "Asylum" latter became known as "St Mary's Hospital" and was finally closed in 1994 to make way for a modern housing development although a lot of the original buildings still remain today.

Mott The Hoople/Edgar Street 1971.

Hereford United Football Club Monday 30th August 1971 and local band "Mott the Hoople" are top of the bill for this rare concert staged at "Hereford United's"Edgar Street ground. Although the band had not reached there peak "All The Young Dudes" was released in 1972, they still managed to pull a crowd of over 3ooo into the Edgar Street ground on a warm August Bank Holiday Monday in 1971.

Another local band "Karakorum" included a young musician by the name of Martin Chambers who later went on to form another successful local band "The Pretenders"

Take a look at the ticket price and on the day a massive 77 pence.My how time's have changed.



If anyone has any recollections of that day it would be great to let us know here at Old Hereford Pics.

The River Wye 1903.

Rarely seen postcard view from 1903 looking upstream from the Old Wye Bridge.On the left is "Jordan's Boathouse" with it's array of boats.On the right is Greyfriers House in all it's glory and further upstream can be seen "Hunderton Railway Bridge opened in 1853.

Ariel View,Commercial Square 1940s/1950s.

An ariel view of Commercial Square taken some time in the 1940s early 1950s.As you can see there was very little traffic passing through the city in those days, a very different story from today's traffic jams. It's hard to think why on earth they would want to build a ring road so close to the city's main shopping centre in the years that followed.

Bulmers Cider.

Old Bulmers advert from the 1960s showing their two leading brands Woodpecker and Strongbow.Note the old 4 pint flagon bottles.

Paddling Pool.(King George's Playing Fields)

Picture of the old paddling pool situated on the (King George's Playing Fields) in the mid 60s.

In the background can be seen one of the many traveling fairs that visited Hereford in those days,now the site of the "Hereford Leisure Pool".Also visible in the background is "Dry Bridge House" which in those days was very near close to collapse.
Sorry about the quality of the picture it came from a old copy of The Hereford Citizen.

Hereford Cattle Market.1953

Old Ariel picture of "Hereford Cattle Market"taken in 1953.
As you can see it looks very different to the Market that we see today.
The Market Tavern can be seen alongside a very much changed Newmarket Street bottom left of picture.
Picture Graham Baker.

The Anglers Inn.

Old picture of the long gone Anglers Inn in Union Street.Not sure when the pub finally closed it's doors but it was more recently known as part of the Marches Cafe although it looks a lot different these days.Also nice to see the old Cheltenham & Hereford Breweries drayman.

Picture; Doug & Olive Prosser

The Victoria Hotel.

The last days of the Victoria Hotel on the corner of Widemarsh Street and Newmarket Street 1967.The hotel finally closed it's doors on the 7th October 1967 to make way for the Inner Relief Road.In the background is the Wellington Inn looking much the same as it does today.

Many Thanks to Mr Mark Farmer who's father Arthur took these pics from a upstairs window while he was landlord of the Old Harp Pub.