Where Is This? No.156

Published on: 15 Apr, 2015
Updated on: 15 Apr, 2015

By David Rose

The vintage photo that featured The Street in West Clandon, seen here last week, seems to have been a tricky one.

Not so many replies as usual, but some did correctly recognise it. Well done to them!

Several recognised the wooden sculpture in the quirky photo as being near Guildford’s Odeon cinema in Bedford Road.

Click here to see last week’s post and all the replies at the foot of it.

We have an industrial theme to both of this week’s photos. The vintage picture is again from September 1968 and the floods.

Another aerial view of a part of Guildford during the floods of September 1968. Where is this?

Can you identify the location and perhaps name the works in the centre of the picture, and / or any other landmarks?

Where is this and what is made here?

The quirky photo shows some chimneys on a current factory. I don’t think they make speedboats there, but certainly things that move!

Do you know which premises this is and where it can be found?

If you know the answers please leave a reply in the box below. All replies will be posted at about the same time next week, along with a new post with the answers to this week’s photos and the next pair of images.

Responses to Where Is This? No.156

John Lomas Reply

April 17, 2015 at 11:21 am

The black and white photo shows Walnut Tree Close to the left with a bit of the railway line just showing at the top left corner. According to a 1960s OS plan the large works in the middle was a printing works. Could that be where the Surrey Ad was printed?

At the bottom centre of the picture is Leas Road and the London Transport Country Bus depot.

I think the quirky pic is the Alexander Dennis works building on the left of Dennis Way, looking west.
Les Knight Reply

April 20, 2015 at 3:08 pm

The works Billing Ltd of Guildford printing works.

Bottom centre is Southern Timber, Mary Road, next to the London Transport garage in Leas Road.
Brian Holt Reply

April 20, 2015 at 9:24 pm

1. At the bottom in the middle of the photo is the former London Country bus garage (now Arriva) at bottom of Leas Road. To the right of the houses is William Road. Behind the river is the industrial units in Walnut Tree Close, with the tall white building that has been demolished now.

2. This is the Alexander Dennis factory in Dennis Way, Slyfield Industrial Estate. where buses are made.
Margaret Cole Reply

April 21, 2015 at 2:26 pm

The first picture was Billings at the end of Walnut Tree Close. The building on the other side of the river was the London Transport bus garage in Leas Road. If you look carefully in the top left hand corner you can just see the railway lines near Yorkies Bridge.

Now the chimney picture not easy, but alleluia I found it. Its Dennis’ chassis factory in Slyfield. It’s where chassis are made and fired before being sent over to Alexander Dennis to be used for making the buses etc.
Linda Jackson Reply

April 21, 2015 at 6:07 pm

First photo is showing the River Wey with Walnut Tree Close on the left. The white buildings in the centre look like Billings the printers and the upper left white building the Unigate dairy. On the right of the river could be the Green Line bus depot.

My grandparents and aunt lived in Walnut Tree close, near Billings printers, opposite one another.

When the river bust its banks my aunt, who lived on the river side, had water waist-high downstairs and was rescued by boat. It took forever to dry the house out. But my grandparents opposite is on the higher level with steps, so no flooding, nevertheless my gran was scared and was rescued.

I will pass on the quirky picture but a guess would be Dennis’ at Slyfield.
Chris Townsend Reply

April 21, 2015 at 6:14 pm

The aerial view shows a glimpse of the railway (top left), Walnut Tree Close (the long straight street) and the river in the centre, curving around to Dapdune Wharf.

The houses at the foot of the view (left to right) are in Leas Road, with the bus garage to the left and William Road at a right angle. The Riverside Business Centre now occupies the site of the works, possibly Billings the printer.

The factory belongs to Alexander Dennis, who make bus chassis and bodies.
Ray Springer Reply

April 22, 2015 at 10:02 pm

I think this may be Woodbridge Meadows and the factory is Plastic Coatings.

From the clues given for the quirky picture, I feel it could be John Dennis works in Slyfield.

Both complete guesses this week, will be interesting to see other people’s answers