Where Is This? No.71

Published on: 21 Aug, 2013
Updated on: 21 Aug, 2013

By David Rose

A view across the common at Shalford was last week’s vintage mystery photo. In fact, a number of picture postcards were published in about the 1910s showing this part of Shalford (now the cricket pitch) with cows grazing on it. The view looks east towards Chinthurst Lane where the cottages can be seen.

And the unusual objects found in Guildford today and as featured last week can be seen near the water’s edge by the Town Bridge – on the side near the White House pub.

There is a slipway here and during the Second World War it was where a fire appliance could back down to draw water. This would have been done in the event of serious fires in the town centre caused by attacks from enemy aircraft. The metal ‘plates’ were placed there for the fire engine or pump to rest against to ensure it didn’t roll into the river!

Click here to see last week’s post and all your replies at the foot of it. I see some of you have been re-reading my books!

I can certainly recommend Guildford The War Years – co-written with my former editor at the Surrey Ad, Graham Collyer. I’d love to update that one as so much new information has come to light since we wrote it in 1999.

I also notice that that Ray Springer is trying to get on the speedboat trail along with ever hopefuls Doug and Bill Stanniforth.

Where was this building?

This week’s mystery vintage photo shows a place of worship that once stood in one of Guildford town centre’s main streets. Can you name it and say where it was?

Do you know where this train can be seen?

This week’s picture of something quirky or unusual features a goods train – a small one at that. Do you know where it can be found? Any comments? I guess the railway buffs will be able to say what kind of loco it is.

If you know the answers to this week’s, and perhaps have some comments to make, 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 vintage photo and quirky picture, and the next pair of images.

Responses to Where Is This? No.71

Bernard Parke Reply

August 21, 2013 at 12:47 pm

1) Old Congregational Church in Lea Pale Road

2) Above the entrance to the car park by the river at Walnut tree close
Carol Norris Reply

August 21, 2013 at 2:52 pm

Picture 1 : North Street – Methodist or Congregational Church.
Norman Hamshere Reply

August 21, 2013 at 3:59 pm

Congregational church was at junction of North Street and Leapale Road. Southern 105 was an M7 class,but no idea where this was taken.
John Lomas Reply

August 21, 2013 at 5:25 pm

Hi
I think that is the Congregational Church North St/Leapale Rd junction.
The photo must be one of very few that show the short lived Panda Crossing.
http://www.cbrd.co.uk/histories/pedestriancrossings/pdf/panda.pdf
Guildford is specifically mentioned in this document as one of the towns where they were trialled.
There was another on High St. near Carling, Gill and Carling.
ray springer Reply

August 21, 2013 at 8:21 pm

This was a church on the corner of Woodbridge Road and North Street. Demolished some years ago it is now the site of Barclays Bank.
The toy train is along the river bank near the towpath from Ladymead to the town centre near to the real railway bridge that crosses the river there.
Judy Oliver Reply

August 21, 2013 at 8:48 pm

I think the building is the Methodist Church which stood near the bottom of North Street where Barclays Bank is now
Sue Bushell Reply

August 25, 2013 at 7:06 am

Although I am struggling to remember the road layout is the first picture the old Methodist Church in North Street? I went to Sunday school there as a small child.
Clitherow Kid Reply

August 25, 2013 at 3:12 pm

The Church is the Congregational Chapel in North Street junction with Leapale Road. It was built and opened in 1863 but not sure when it was demolished. The railway train is part of the car park barrier in Woodbridge Meadows next to the railway bridge. The steam engine is a model of a Class M7 tank engine, Number 105. The real engine was built at Nine Elms in 1905 and after a long service was scrapped in 1963. From 1951 until 1963 it was allocated to Bournemouth shed. For my prize this week may I have a new ANORAK for when I go trainspotting. Thank you.
Brian Holt Reply

August 25, 2013 at 4:35 pm

The building is the Congregational Chapel,it was on the corner of North Street and Leapale Road.
The early chapel was in Chapel Street, and was rebuilt in 1802, but the chapel was unsatisfactory by mid 19th century,and when the Rev’d John Hart became minister he was determined to built a new chapel “in a better part of the town”.
His energy led to the purchase from Henry Woodyer of part of the Cherry Garden in North Street, at the corner of Leapale Road, and in February, 1863 building began.
The new chapel was opened on 24th September 1863 having cost £3,261.
The chapel and hall was demolished in 1964.

The train is above the height barrier at the entrance to the riverside car park, underneath the railway bridge in Woodbridge Meadows.
Chris Townsend Reply

August 26, 2013 at 7:33 pm

The Congregational Church was on the corner of North Street and Leapale Road, opposite Co-op Corner. It stood for about 100 years, until demolished in 1964. The following year the congregation moved to a new building in Portsmouth Road.

The train is part of the height barrier at the entrance to the car park at Woodbridge Meadows, near the railway viaduct. The sculpture is the creation of Richard Farrington, whose website gives more detail and photos on the subject.
Andrew Cox Reply

August 29, 2013 at 7:37 pm

The church was at the junction of North Street and Woodbridge Road. If you look behind Burger King you can see part of the wall from the church.

The train is at the small car park under the arches at Woodbridge Meadows.

[Ed: I think the remains of the church Andrew mentions is the former Methodist Church. The church in the mystery photo is the Congregational Church, that was on the corner of Lea Pale Road and North Street.]
Judy Oliver Reply

August 29, 2013 at 10:17 pm

I think the remains behind Burger King are the old baptist church which moved to a newly built building at Millmead.

[Ed: I think you are correct.]