Where Is This? No.165

Published on: 18 Jun, 2015
Updated on: 18 Jun, 2015

By David Rose

Those who replied to last week’s mystery vintage picture correctly identified it as looking down North Street towards its junction with Woodbridge Road.

The Methodist Church was in view (pulled down in 1973) and readers added some extra details about the former post office building, Congregational Church, and others that used to be on the right-hand side of North Street.

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

Regarding the flags and banners, I do think they were hung up on the occasion of George VI’s coronation in 1937, as I have some other night-time views from that event.

Long hanging banners seemed to be a feature of the decorations for the town’s 1937 coronation celebrations as they appear in some of the other pictures I have.

They look a bit like the style of ones that were common in Nazi Germany at the time. And, of course, the Second World War was only a couple of years away!

The quirky picture featuring some kind of shelter is one of a pair at the entrance to Ganghill, off the London Road.

And yes, they are similar to ones on the corner of Daryington Drive in Epsom Road, which two readers who replied believed the picture to show.

What’s to the right of this train today?

Moving on to this week, and a steam train rounding a curve somewhere in Guildford. It is possible to work out the location by observing the hills in the background.

Any railway enthusiasts should be able to get an idea of where it is by the locomotive hauling the train. It’s pre-1965 I think. You may also like to add some train details.

So, where would you be standing if you stood a few yards to the right (not on railway property) today?

Do you know where this feature can be found?

This week’s quirky picture shows more carved woodwork. It’s in the town centre and easy to spot, but I guess many people just walk by without noticing it.

On which building can be found?

If you know the answers and can perhaps add some extra facts, please leave a reply in the box below. They will be published at about this time next week along with two more mystery images.

Responses to Where Is This? No.165

Mike Melbourne Reply

June 18, 2015 at 8:57 am

Picture 1. Looks like a GWR Mogul locomotive probably about 12.45pm to Reading South passing the curve to the left what was the old Dennis Bros’ sidings (and my house beyond, these days).

To the right is now The University of Surrey site. If only you could take a shot from that spot now. My friends and I favoured the foot crossing opposite Park Barn Junior school or whatever they call it these days.

Picture 2. Not sure, possibly Abbot’s Hospital.
John Lomas Reply

June 18, 2015 at 12:03 pm

The train appears to be on the Guildford-Reading line rounding the curve between the old Dennis works and Stag Hill, just to the west of a milepost.

I think if you were there today You would be on the university car park or just possibly the bit of parkland between the car park and the lake/pond.

The engine appears to be an ex-GWR 2-6-0.
Mary Bedforth Reply

June 18, 2015 at 2:16 pm

The second picture is Guildford House Gallery, now the tourist office.

I do not think the new curved hand rails fit well with the frontage.

http://www.guildford.gov.uk/media/10081/Guildford-House-August-2011/large/Guildford_House_Tourist_info_4_LR_1.jpg
Chris Townsend Reply

June 23, 2015 at 6:36 pm

The steam train is probably one of the last on the regular service from Redhill to Reading, replaced by diesel in 1965. It is viewed from what is today the University car park, with Pewley Down across to the right.

The carved panels are under the ground floor windows of Guildford House.
Brian Holt Reply

June 23, 2015 at 9:36 pm

This train on the Reading line is passing where the university site is now on the right.
Margaret Cole Reply

June 24, 2015 at 11:32 am

This is a Great Western train on the Guildford to Reading line about a mile outside Guildford Station coming up to the bridge under the A3 past the university grounds opposite Twyford Court.

I think it must be the Surrey Hills in the background.

The carved wood can be found on the front of Guildford House.

Two stinkers this week.