Any history on this old place - next to gymophobics

[wizzard]

Been going past this place for years, just wondering what the history is behind it?

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=20...i_qCRDxAx4mTrlHmw&cbp=12,269.38,,0,-3.62&z=19

 

[Gadget]

It won't let me look sorry.

 

[wizzard]

 

[tek-monkey]

A few years back it was up for sale, but they wanted about 250k for it! I assume its because it has land on a trading estate, but there are enough empty areas on that estate anyway.

EDIT: 200k now

 

[wizzard]

It's dropped to 200k. Just seems a bit of a strange property, standing all on it's own.

 

[Gadget]

Ahh i've seen that and thought it a real shame, my bugbear though derelict houses, it's such a waste. I don't know the history though, sorry.

 

[tek-monkey]

It certainly still had windows in and no boards up about 3-4 years ago, as I remember seeing it when looking for a house and thinking it was too expensive for what it was. I was looking as a house though, not to redevelop.

 

[Gramaisc]

There are two similar, but apparently occupied, houses a bit further along, between the JobCentre and the petrol station, just on the roundabout.

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=st...=EceJ3MFFgECWJezHwa3Stw&cbp=12,215.84,,1,0.95

 

[joshua]

When were the houses demolished and the commercial properties built, does anyone have any photos of how it used to be ?.
I cannot find anything on the past times site.

 

[Gramaisc]

When were the houses demolished and the commercial properties built, does anyone have any photos of how it used to be ?.
I cannot find anything on the past times site.

It may be that only the (older?) buildings directly in the way of the dual-carriageway construction were demolished. I think that happened in the late 60s, it was certainly there when I came in 1974, I'm sure. The old A34 is the small road at the side of the Waggon and Horses, that now only leads to their car-park - imagine the chaos if that was still the main through route!

 

[tek-monkey]

Funnily enough yesterday afternoon I was walking through there and thinking how narrow the old Road must have been. I was then distracted by a McDonald's bag overflowing with food wrappers and a rather dirty nappy and spent the journey thinking what a disgusting bunch of scutters we have living here

 

[Withnail]

When were the houses demolished and the commercial properties built, does anyone have any photos of how it used to be ?.
I cannot find anything on the past times site.

The best i could find was this (1927)

from here - http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/.

Not brilliant but it does give some idea.

 

[Gramaisc]

Funnily enough yesterday afternoon I was walking through there and thinking how narrow the old Road must have been. I was then distracted by a McDonald's bag overflowing with food wrappers and a rather dirty nappy and spent the journey thinking what a disgusting bunch of scutters we have living here

Every journey that is now made via the M6 or the A34 would have gone through the 'eye of the needle' there... And you can also add a large part of the traffic that the Beaconside extension now takes care of.

McDonalds bags full of crap standing in the middle of the road are definitely a 'trending' phenomenon at the moment. I have seen several in the last few days.

 

[tek-monkey]

The best i could find was this (1927)

from here - http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/.

Not brilliant but it does give some idea.

Seems odd to think coton fields and the raf didn't exist back then, yet less than 50 years later I lived there and it seemed old!

 

[Withnail]

Wikipedia informs me that RAF Stafford dates to 1939. It is amazing how much land has been built on when you look at the above - at a guess i'd say Coton Fields was likely to be post-war development.

 

[tek-monkey]

Unless I'm very confused that picture shows the isobel trail taking a sharp left? And possibly a western bypass bridge?

 

[Gramaisc]

Unless I'm very confused that picture shows the isobel trail taking a sharp left? And possibly a western bypass bridge?

That's the gas-works siding.

A closer view.

Interesting how Sainsbury's has retained the overall style of the buildings.

 

[LeeA]

Great photo that. Nice to see the Lamb Inn right next to the gasometer! Its amazing how the pub is still with us, and the lovely old windmill.

 

[Vespa-NL]

That's the gas-works siding.

And to the Doxey road goods yard.

 

[Gramaisc]

Great photo that. Nice to see the Lamb Inn right next to the gasometer! Its amazing how the pub is still with us, and the lovely old windmill.

Indeed, but it's also interesting to see just how dense the area around Gaol Square was.