Saturday 8 January 2011

Then and now

Following on from my previous post, I thought I would show you the photographs of the village, and compare them with the same views today.
This is Brook Hill. Most of the buildings are still intact today. The larger building on the left is still a shop today. I don't know what it was then, but today it is a general grocers.




This is Thorpe Street. Back then, there were a lot more shops and pubs on here. Again, all tthe buildings remain, but have been turned into houses.


This was the Old Barley Hall Colliery. Nothing remains of this today - just a few bricks from the winding shed. Before the colliery was pulled down, it was used in a Walt Disney film called "Pit Ponies" and also an adaptation of a Barry Hines book called "The Price of Coal". I know that The Price of Coal was filmed in 1976 because I almost got the part of Bobby Knutts daughter (I have told you the story before so I wont repeat myself!!). They pulled the rest of the pit down after they had finished filming.

Its now another place that Mother Nature has claimed back from a heavily industrialised site.

Ive loved finding these old photos.

18 comments:

topchelseagirl said...

Great post Diane. I love looking at old photos. x

Janet said...

I just love old photo`s-but end up feeling a little sad when I see the changes-though in this case I prefer the trees to the colliery !
Chris called down with the cards today- Diane , they are gorgeous ! thank you ever so much -you are so clever- I have already sold two !I practically got into a fight grappling with my sister about which one I wanted for myself !x

John Going Gently said...

knew the cards would go down well!!!
more old photos please

Rebecca said...

What a fab post! I love looking at old photos and seeing how things have changed! Just over 100 years ago our street was a meadow! x

Lisa said...

So interesting to see the change, or not, between then and now.
Lisa x

Lyn said...

Great to do a 'then and now' post
might see if I can find some of our local area. Still up for meeting in February?
love
Lyn
xxx

Kathy said...

A lovely post ... I really like finding out stories from the past. I must do a post about the changes in our local village one day!
xxx

**Anne** said...

Gorgeous post. I love the old lamp post in the third photo, which is missing in the fourth. Such a shame to lose those. That's one of the things I love about Paris (photos I've seen), are the beautiful old lamps posts. I also love the photo of where the colliery use to be. All those trees are back. Magnificant.
Thanks for sharing,
Anne xx

Diane said...

Interesting to see how little has changed other than the last pictures. I am glad that has gone back to nature. Diane

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

Wonderful comparison shots! Really a great post!

harmony and rosie said...

I find it so fascinating looking at old photos and comparing them to today. Your images have barely changed which is so nice. Love the card you made in your previous post, what a find stumbling across something like that for your friend, I'm sure she'll be teary eyed. x

periwinkle said...

Oh I love seeing old/new pics like this . I've got a few very similar , obviously different areas but I think seeing the changes are just awesome

elsy said...

it seems hardly changed diane....fascinating

jennyfreckles said...

Fascinating to compare then and now. Thorpe Street looks a bit plainer now than then - I liked the shop front and the lamp in the old photo.

Gilly said...

I love old photos of places I know, and especially when there is a clever photographer to take pics today from exactly the same place! Clever Diane!

I'm not sure if its just the old photos, but there does seem to be a lot more smoke and haze around then.

diane b said...

A great series of photos. I liked the old lampposts better than todays. It is nice to see the buildings have remained. I've noticed here that houses are being torn down to make way for bigger buildings. The houses would only be 30 years old. We live in a throw away society.

Rosie said...

Wonderful photos - the old ones seem more full of life than those of today - I expect because they have people in them - wheels have taken over from feet in the modern ones:)

*❀* said...

fabulous! love the old photos.

i do so enjoy your blog :o)