Home Guard Parade

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1941: The Peterborough Group of the Home Guard consisted of two battalions - the city and the soke. On this Friday, the largest muster of the city battalion was present when it paraded past a saluting base set up in front of the Town Hall. Brigadier-General Sir Hereward Wake, Commandant of the Northamptonshire Group, was supposed to have taken the salute but he had been called away to see the king, so his deputy, Colonel Hobson, filled in. For some strange reason, the parade was led by a gramophone, with an amplifier mounted on a lorry. This was NOT a good idea as few could hear the music. (Gray, David, Peterborough at War 1939-1945, David Gray, 2011)

Taken from The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.

Image of the River Nene at Sunset

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This shows a view at sunset of the River Nene near the old Customs House. The ‘old’ iron bridge, which was built in 1872, replacing a very old rickety wooden one is in the background. This bridge was replaced in 1934 with a concrete version which also spanned the east coast railway which aided access from the south side of the river.

This image has been produced from an original postcard of the time. Publisher unknown, from the Jacqui Catlin Collection.

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Image of the River Nene & Broad Street

1902-1910

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This is a view of the River Nene looking north along Broad Street which led to Narrow Street. At this time Peterborough was an inland port receiving barges from the coast via Wisbech and Kings Lynn. The old iron bridge is clearly visible and the Customs House, which is out of view is still on the right hand side. On the left hand side today are flats and The Rivergate Centre.

This image has been produced from an original postcard of the time. Publisher unknown, from the Jacqui Catling Collection.

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River Nene , Postcards

Image of the Old Market Square

1902-1910

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The memorial fountain to Peterborough’s first Mayor, Henry Pearson Gates is clearly visible with the Cathedral in the background. Many of the buildings on the right hand side were removed in the 1930’s to widen Narrow Street.

One of the new trams is also in the scene.

This image has been produced from an original postcard of the time. Publisher Unknown, from the Keith Gill Collection.

Resources

Postcards , Henry Pearson Gates

Image of Narrow Street

1902-1910

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Narrow street led from Cathedral Square past the current Town Hall to Broad Street which started near the current road crossing near TK Max. Narrow street was deemed to be far too narrow to cope with the increased traffic levels and the continuing expansion of Peterborough as an industrial city. All of the buildings on the left hand side were demolished to widen the street. As a result many old and historic buildings were lost.

This image has been produced from an original postcard of the time. Publisher unknown, from the Jacqui Catling Collection.

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Postcards

Image of Thorpe Village

1902-1910

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This is an enchanting rural scene of Thorpe Village, showing a young girl watching the Postman on his rounds. Thorpe Village is now known as Longthorpe.

This image has been produced from an original postcard of the time. Publisher Unknown. From the Jacqui Catling Collection

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Longthorpe , Longthorpe , Thorpe Village , Thorpe Village , Postcards , Postcards

Image of Long Causeway

1902-1910

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This image shows a view looking north from the Old Market Square, now Cathedral Square. In the foreground you can see the memorial water fountain which is now situated in the Bishop Road Gardens. This fountain was a gift in 1898 to the people of Peterborough from the widow of Peterborough’s first Mayor, Henry Pearson Gates (1813-1893)

Peterborough’s tram system began in 1903 and was superseded by more flexible motor buses in 1930.There were three tram routes, Westgate, via Lincoln Rd to Sages Lane, Westgate via Lincoln Rd to St Pauls Rd and Midgate to Eye Rd.

This image has been produced from an original postcard of the time. Publisher unknown, from the Jacqui Catling Collection.

Resources

Postcards , Long Causeway , Trams , Henry Pearson Gates , mayor

Image of The Fox and Hounds Public House

1902-1910

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This is a picture of the Fox and Hounds Public House, Thorpe Village near Peterborough. Shown here is a tranquil rural scene recorded outside the Fox and Hounds between 1902-1910.

The building is believed to originate from the 16^th century and was destroyed by fire in the 1920’s and replaced by the current two story building. This village is now known as Longthorpe and is an integral part of Peterborough City.

This image has been produced from an original postcard of the time. Publisher unknown, from the Jacqui Catling Collection.

Resources

Longthorpe , Thorpe Village , Postcards , Fox and Hounds

Image of The Entrance to Thorpe Park.

1902-1910

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This image shows a horse and carriage near the entrance to Thorpe Park. What this space was and what it part of now is unknown.

This image has been produced from an original postcard of the time. Publisher Unknown. From the Jacqui Catling Collection

Resources

Thorpe Park , Postcards

Image of Cumbergate

1909

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Cumbergate, is still easily recognisable today, take away the horse and cart and little has changed. With Queensgate to the rear and St Johns Church at the top of the picture. The shops on the right hand side are still there as are Miss Pears Almshouses on the left (now Carlucci’s Italian Restaurant).

The postcard is dated September 1909. The address indicates that Werrington would have been a very small village than as there are no street details in the address.

From an original postcard of the time. Publisher Valentines, from the Keith Gill Collection.

Resources

St John's Church , Queensgate , Almshouses , Postcards

Image of a Boy by a Pond, Thorpe Village

1902-1910

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A view of a young boy sitting on the edge of the pond in Thorpe Village near Peterborough. Now known as Longthorpe.

This image has been produced from an original postcard of the time. Publisher Wrench, from the Keith Gill Collection.

Resources

Longthorpe , Thorpe Village , Postcards

Image of people using the Bishops Gardens

1902-1910

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The Bishops Gardens, just to the South of the Cathedral show a young family walking through them.The buildings which appear to be part of the gardens are now separated from them.

This is where the water fountain dedicated to Henry Spencer Gates, Peterborough’s first Mayor was moved to from the Old Market Square.

From an original postcard. Publisher Wrench, from the Keith Gill Collection.

Resources

Bishops Gardens , Henry Spencer Gates , Postcards

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Home Guard Parade

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Image of the River Nene at Sunset

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Image of the River Nene & Broad Street

1902-1910

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Image of the Old Market Square

1902-1910

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Image of Narrow Street

1902-1910

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Image of Thorpe Village

1902-1910

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Image of Long Causeway

1902-1910

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Image of The Fox and Hounds Public House

1902-1910

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Image of The Entrance to Thorpe Park.

1902-1910

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Image of Cumbergate

1909

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Image of a Boy by a Pond, Thorpe Village

1902-1910

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Image of people using the Bishops Gardens

1902-1910

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