Where Is This? No.200

Published on: 10 Mar, 2016
Updated on: 10 Mar, 2016

By David Rose

So we reach number 200 and somehow I have to remember all the previous ones so that I don’t repeat the exact same street or building.

Last week’s mysteries were Merrow Village Hall being the vintage picture, and the metal figures are now on the back wall of the Beverley Hall in Haydon Place and viewed from the new Waitrose store’s car park. They were previously on the Youth & Community Centre that stood at the junction of Leapale Lane and Haydon Place – now Waitrose, etc.

Thanks to everyone who replied and click here to see last week’s post for your comments and particularly notes about when Merrow Village Hall was built and the wealthy man who paid for it.

Repairing the setts in 1972, but where exactly in the High Street? Click to enlarge in a new window.

A rather topical mystery vintage picture this week that shows repairs to the High Street’s granite setts, but on March 19, 1972. The photographer was Roy Searle, whose name is stamped on the back.

In our recent story about the current work on the setts, Aubrey Leahy left a reply that reads: “There used to be a chap who, every Sunday, turned some of the setts. He started at the top by Abbot’s Hospital and worked his way down to the river, then went back up to the top and started again. I cannot be certain but I believe he was paid five shillings which was then spent on beer. Maybe David Rose or one of your readers knows who this was.”

I can’t name the man, but I added that I would dig out a photo showing repairs in years gone by, and this is it. I have had to crop it at the top otherwise the location would be a certain giveaway, but can you work out where in the High Street this is?

On which building is this wind vane?

I have found another wind vane that I don’t think has been featured here before. So this is the quirky picture. It is in the town centre and on a circular building. Do you know which one?

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

Responses to Where Is This? No.200

Paul Burgman Reply

March 10, 2016 at 12:27 am

Top of the High Street outside the Three Pigeons and the quirkly one is the old Midland Bank, bottom of North Street.
John Lomas Reply

March 10, 2016 at 4:55 pm

The setts repairs are between Holy Trinity Church and Abbot’s Hospital.

The bay window on the right-hand side is the building where Jaeger and Blott are; the building on the left with a canopy is the Three Pigeons.

The wind vane featuring what looks like a bovine animal, a sheep, a pig with a cockerel on it’s back and either a farm vehicle or a vespa type scooter. It’s at Jamie’s, junction of Onslow Street with North Street.
Chris Carroll Reply

March 10, 2016 at 10:08 pm

Top of High Street.

The Three Pigeons pub is just visible on the top left.
George Trask Reply

March 11, 2016 at 8:25 am

The one showing the setts being replaced is a hard one but I think it’s the top of the High Street at the North Street junction.

The pub on the left was called the Three Pigeons, I think, but I could be wrong. Maintenance on the High Street took place most Sundays.
Linda Jackson Reply

March 11, 2016 at 2:10 pm

Top of High Street, Batemans optitions on the left of photo and the Three Pigeons on the right.

My great grandfather used to repair the setts on a Sunday in the 1930s and 40s. In those days if he was working up by Holy Trinity Church, the work would stop whilst the service was on. I think there was a hut for the taxi drivers nearby where they would crow or groan about the football results.

The second photo maybe Jamie Oliver’s restaurant at the bottom of North Street.
Chris Townsend Reply

March 13, 2016 at 5:38 pm

The vintage picture shows the top of the High Street, with the Three Pigeons on the left and a window of the County Club on the right.

The wind vane (with farm animals?) is above Jamie’s Italian restaurant at the Onslow Street end of Friary Street.
Brian Holt Reply

March 14, 2016 at 7:24 pm

Guildford High Street, outside Holy Trinity Church, with the Three Pigeons pub on left by the post.

Jamie Oliver’s Italian Restaurant, Phoenix Court, 13 Friary Street.
Bill and Doug Staniforth Reply

March 15, 2016 at 5:03 pm

It’s at the top by Holy Trinity Church (obviously a long job as they still haven’t finished).

The wind vane is on Jamie’s Italian (they do vouchers which could be given as prizes).

The wind vane might be handy for speedboat skippers speeding along the Wey. Surprised you didn’t mention that. Ed
Margaret Cole Reply

March 16, 2016 at 8:29 pm

The repair of the setts is being done near Fullers restaurant in the High Street.

I think the photo was taken from the County Club car park as you can just see their bay windows looking down on the right.

The wind vane is on Jamie’s Restaurant, once the Midland Bank, at the bottom of North Street.

Well done on reaching 200.