Where Is This? No.167

Published on: 2 Jul, 2015
Updated on: 2 Jul, 2015

By David Rose

It was indeed part of the Surrey Advertiser’s premises in Martyr Road that was featured as last week’s mystery vintage picture.

The building seen was an extension to the 1937-built head office art deco-style building that was to the left.

The ‘extension’ dated to about the late 1950s or early 1960s. On the ground floor was the press hall where newspapers were printed (the Goss Headliner press was installed in 1962) and above were rooms for typesetting, proof reading and the board room and management suite.

There was also a door that led to a small room from which another door led to a narrow store room in which bound back copies of the Surrey Advertiser, Surrey Times, plus some other titles such as the Surrey Weekly Press and Woking Observer were kept, gathering dust.

I happened to get hold of a key to this ‘walk-in cupboard’ in the late 1970s when I first worked at the Advertiser, and for me, it was like being a child in a sweet shop. Suddenly, Guildford’s past came alive.

I used to take out volumes of the papers from years gone by, carry them home and read them. Once I had done so, I returned the volumes.

When the Surrey Advertiser moved to Stoke Mill in 1999, all these volumes were transferred there to an outbuilding, and I continued to browse them until I left in 2011.

Last week’s quirky photo can be found near G Live, and as readers stated, it notes the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay that passed through Guildford. I like Bernard Parke’s comment about the artwork rusting!

Click her to see last week’s post and all the comments.

Before we move on to this week’s mysteries, I must wish regular reader Brian Holt all the best after his knee replacement operation last week. I spoke to him on the phone on Wednesday, and although he’s in a bit of pain, he’s doing well!

Where was this mill building?

A village view again this week and a 1900s picture postcard view emailed by Bernard Parke. He wonders whether readers can identify this mill building?

I am getting the feeling that we may have featured it before?

It stood until not so long ago, and had been in use as some kind of office accommodation, I think. Houses have been built there now. Any ideas where this is?

As a bit of a clue, it’s to the east of Guildford and on the Tillingbourne Stream.

Where is this?

Here’s this week’s quirky image and a close-up view of the top of a building in the town. Do you know where it is?

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.167

Chaz Folkes Reply

July 2, 2015 at 8:35 am

The mill building is in Albury. I remember it being turned into offices and one of the buildings on the site was derelict for a while before that.

The second photo is of Bridge House on the junction of Bridge Street and Walnut Tree Close near to the station.

I too recall the archive at the Stoke Mill. I hope it’s still there.
John Lomas Reply

July 2, 2015 at 3:13 pm

The modern picture is Bridge House on the corner of Bridge Street and Walnut Tree Close, probably taken from the pavement on the opposite siden of Walnut Tree Close or the forecourt of Ranger House.

I am just guessing at the mill. Could it be Postford Mill near Chilworth, where I believe an accountant’s company had or has offices?
Dave Middleton Reply

July 2, 2015 at 5:56 pm

The mill building is Albury Mill at Albury. Here’s a link to a commercial site selling an image from the Daily Mail, showing I believe, the mill stream being drained as part of the search for Agatha Christie when she staged her disappearance in December 1926.

http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-drawing-off-the-water-at-albury-mill-stream-56409382.html

The circular building feature – not sure if it can be called a rotunda – is on Bridge House at the junction of Bridge Street and Walnut Tree Close at Guildford.
Jeannie Preston Reply

July 2, 2015 at 11:51 pm

Bridge House opposite the train station – the only quirky detail I know is that one of the letters has disappeared from the name Bridge ….
Ray Springer Reply

July 3, 2015 at 10:33 am

The quirky picture is of the top of Bridge House on the corner of Bridge Street opposite to the entrance to the railway station.

The mill building on the Tillingbourne Stream must be either in Chilworth, Albury or Gomshall. My guess is Chilworth.
Chris Townsend Reply

July 5, 2015 at 7:52 am

The mill was at Albury, and long associated with flour millers C. A. Botting & Sons.

In the 1960s I remember laboratories on that site.

The buildings in the centre and on the right survive, having been restored and converted into luxury homes, but that on the left has made way for a car park.

The quirky image is of Bridge House, on the corner of Walnut Tree Close and Bridge Street, occupied by Highways England, formerly the Highways Agency.

Staff there will benefit from fine views of the gyratory system.
Margaret Cole Reply

July 7, 2015 at 8:57 am

This is Albury Mill, The Street, Albury. Now converted into four apartments with riverside views of the Tillingborne Stream running by.

It was once a pharmaceutical establishment and Bottings millers were there before moving up stream, many years ago.

The second picture is of Bridge House’s roofline opposite the station in Bridge Street, quite an attractive building now.
Brian Holt Reply

July 7, 2015 at 10:15 pm

Albury Mill. There has been a mill on this site since 13th century, in December 1830 it was set alight by a local labourer James Warner.

Later years in 1950s it was Botting & Son’s flour mill who delivered to the bakery in Guildford where I worked.
Alan Hall Reply

November 23, 2015 at 12:17 pm

I know this article was published in July but my uncle Dave used to work for Bottings Millers driving their articulated truck in the 1960s and 70s up until he passed.

I remember spending many weekends at his house which was one of the converted powder stores from the old munitions works that were there years ago.

I seem to remember there being a trout farm on the premises as well.

I moved away in 1994 and haven’t been in the area since then.

I would love to be able to get some pictures of the trucks Bottings ran as I have followed my father and uncle’s footsteps and am now a truck driver myself.

Could you kind enough to ask your readers if they can help me in my quest.

[Ed: If you can help, cantact Alan at theslabman@hotmail.co.uk]

Alan.