Where Is This? No.247

Published on: 16 Feb, 2017
Updated on: 16 Feb, 2017

By David Rose

Not so many replies to last week’s images – perhaps the subject matter was somewhat difficult?

However, several readers correctly identified the firemen practising their skills within the former gas works off Onslow Street. A part of the gas works complex was seen in the background.

The quirky picture showed a part of Shalford Mill, now a National Trust property.

Some interesting extra details were given by those who replied. Click here to see last week’s post.

Where is this and what’s there today?

This week’s mystery vintage image is from the collection at the Guildford Institute and shows what was once Williamsons Old English Furniture emporium. It was in Guildford High Street. The building still stands and is home to another store today.

Do you know which one?

Where is this?

The quirky picture shows a water turbine. It is some way from its original location. Do you know where this is? And perhaps where it once was?

If you think you know the answers, please leave a reply in the box below. The answers, along with the next pair of images, will be published at about the same time next week.

Responses to Where Is This? No.247

John Lomas Reply

February 17, 2017 at 10:22 am

The old picture appears to be showing what I have found to be the top part of the House of Fraser store.

This picture reveals that the next building up the street, which used to be the International, is actually a relatively modern one and not the ancient one which http://google.localdataimages.com/800_WM/2325/23258998.jpg seems to imply.

The turbine should be at Dapdune Wharf, having been donated to the National Trust when it was removed from the Town Mill.
Brian Holt Reply

February 17, 2017 at 10:48 pm

1. Williamson’s High Street store was founded in the 18th century in Chapel Street, then moved to the High Street in 1847.

A regular customer in the 1920s and 30s was Queen Mary.

The firm then moved to Quarry Street after the Second World War and closed in 1960.

In 1950 the High Street shop became Harvey’s then’A&N’ about 1974. Now it is a House of Fraser store.

2. The turbine from the Toll House on the end of the Town Mill was moved in 1990 and donated to the National Trust and is now exhibited at Dapdune Wharf.
Margaret Cole Reply

February 22, 2017 at 11:31 am

The shop front in the High Street depicts William Harveys about 1930 that was once in the Playhouse Arcade.

The second picture I believe is a turbine from Guldford Mill which was removed from the waterworks and rehoused to Dapdune Wharf where it now stands on show near the entrance.
Chris Townsend Reply

February 23, 2017 at 8:09 pm

Williamsons’ is now home to House of Fraser, previously A & N, and Harvey’s before that, between about 1950 and 1974.

W. Williamson and Sons, cabinet makers and upholsterers, started out in Chapel Street but in 1847 moved to the High Street, where they had extensive galleries of antique furniture. They held two royal warrants, as upholsterers and decorators to Queen Victoria and silk mercers to Queen Alexandra, and Queen Mary was a customer.

About 1945 the business moved to Castle House, Quarry Street (later Traylen’s bookshop) and closed about 1960.