The aim of this site is to give a different look at Old Hereford, with new and old pictures of its people, it's buildings, it's businesses and events from over the years. Something a little different for people to take a look at and talk about. Contact;
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Old Bulmers advert from the 1960s showing their two leading brands Woodpecker and Strongbow.Note the old 4 pint flagon bottles.
Picture of the old paddling pool situated on the (King George's Playing Fields) in the mid 60s.
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.
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.
Buzz Music record store in Widemarsh Street early 1980s.Buzz Music was situated opposite the "Old Harp Pub" and was demolished to make way for Garrick House and the multi story car park.In my youth I spent many hours along with many others listening to the great music that was played in there at the time.
The very distinctive "West Country Ales" ceramic plaques located on many Pubs around Hereford."West Country Ales" were established in 1958 when the "Stroud and Cheltenham" breweries merged.Strange as it was both breweries started brewing in 1760 hence the date on the plaques.These plaques can be seen in Herefordshire,Gloucestershire,Worcestershire,Oxfordshire,Wiltshire and even some parts of Wales.
Ariel view from 1960 of Hereford in flood south of the "River Wye". As you can see this was quite devastating at the time with no flood defences to hold the river back in those days.This is a great arial picture and shows just how easily the two sides of the city could be cut off by such devastating floods.Take note of how the road layout has changed since the building of the Greyfriers Bridge.
The "New Hereford Theatre" in Edgar Street as it was before it was replaced with "The Courtyard Centre".The building was was formally the "Hereford Baths" built in 1929. It was closed down when Hereford got its new Leisure Pool in the mid 1970s.The theatre was opened on 5th March 1979 as "The Nell Gwynne Theatre and Arts Centre".
Old Greetings Card produced by the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Society from the 1980s.
Old Promo poster from the "Hillside Ballroom" in Maybury Avenue 13th December 1963.
"King's Acre Halt Garage and Caravan Park."
The Franklin Barnes Garden Centre in Commercial Square Hereford.The building was rebuilt in the 1960s to run along side the new inner ring road. At the the time this was quite futuristic for the city of Hereford.But did you know another of Hereford's land mark buildings was closed so Franklin Barnes could concentrate on their business in Commercial Square. Number 13 Bridge Street "The Crystal Rooms".
This is my favorite picture of Old Hereford.Coronation Day 1953 in Mortimer Road.I think this a great picture of the old industrial heart of Hereford on a very special day. Picture (P.Edwards)Can anyone tell me what is the tall building in the middle at the back of picture?Please contact me at; oldhereford@gmail.com
The birthplace of the famous English actor/playwright "David Garrick". Born in Maylord Street Hereford on the 19th February 1717.The plaque on his birthplace wall actually says 1716 not sure why this is, there seems to be some confusion.
