Guildford Through Time History Book Updated And Reprinted

Published on: 27 Jul, 2015
Updated on: 30 Jul, 2015

A Guildford local history book showing then and now views has been republished and updated with latest images of how the town looks.

Guildford Through Time by David Rose and Bernard Parke was first published by Amberley in 2009.

It was the first local history title in full colour that David had been an author of, and he and Bernard liked the idea of the format suggested by Amberley Publishing, based in Gloucestershire.

Selecting pictures from David’s archive collection and with historical and nostalgic notes and suggestions by Bernard the first edition has practically sold out.

Earlier this year the publishers contacted the authors to see whether they would like it reprinted, but with the addition of brand new images of the town to accompany and complement the vintage views.

During April they were out and about capturing the streets as they look now.

Guildford High Street featuring the Angel Hotel in the early 1900s.

The same view today taken in spring 2015.

David said: “I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised at the changes that have taken place in Guildford since we took the photos for the first edition.

“For example, Haydon Place is changing as we speak with the Waitrose store being built. What was an area of grass in front of Guildford College in Stoke Road is now a car park and new shops have taken over units in the High Street.

“I think this time around we got some better images than we did before. And as always, we were keen to include plenty of people in them. There are some buskers in an image taken in the High Street!”

Guildford railway station at the turn of the 20th century.

How the station approach looks in 2015. This view will change yet again if plans get the go-ahead to rebuild part of the station.

Of the vintage pictures, there are some fascinating views of ‘lost Guildford’ such as how the railway station once looked, North Street in its Edwardian splendour, the aftermath of floods and storms in 1900 and 1968, and the picturesque scene along the river to St Catherine’s.

Several of the captions to the photos have also been updated. David adds: “This has been an opportunity to comment on some of the changes taking place right now and in some cases comparing them to Guildford’s past.

“Of the views featuring St John’s church and churchyard in Stoke Road, we just had to note the recent plans by the church to sell off the west churchyard to raise money for a new church centre.”

Footbridge over the River Wey near Shalford Meadows in the 1900s.

The 1930s footbridge as it looks today from the HQ of Guildford Rowing Club.

David says that photographing Guildford today made him realise the same challenges that was faced by our Victorian and Edwardian forebears. He says: “The High Street and North Street can be particularly tricky to photograph in full sunlight. Dark shadows are cast on one side of the street or the other depending on the time of day. It took several goes until we got the right images with plenty of colour in them.”

The book is now available in local bookshops, including the shop at RHS Wisley and Guildford Museum. It is also available online. It costs £14.99.

Copies can also be bought direct from Bernard Parke. Call him on 01483 575574.