Andy Vining’s family farmed the North and South Millers Dale and surrounding areas for over 100 years, living in Hiltonbury Farmhouse until 1976. Last week Andy dropped off a pile of old photographs of Chandler’s Ford for us to share with readers.
These photos have been organised systematically by Andy’s family – comparing old and new scenes at roughly the same location.
You can click to enlarge the photos to get better views.
1) This area is instantly recognisable. Pease tell us some stories of yours from this road.
2) Comparing the area in 1924 and 1986. What has it become now?
3) Another sharp bend. Where is this?
Put your answers in the comment below. Thank you.
No 1 is Hursley Road at the junction of Park Road by the Railway pub now Monks Brook on the corner opposite used to be McMahons paper shop .
No 2 guessing its Hiltingbury area but not sure
No 3 is it Merdon Ave again a pure guess
Hi Roger et al …
I totally agree with No.1.
No. 2 I believe to be the Hiltingbury Road/Kingsway crossroads, looking towards the main road along Hiltingbury.
No.3 I think is Park Road, heading towards Hursley Road, just before King’s Road on the left.
The Railway Hotel, as it was before being re-named the Monks Brook, was the local watering hole on a Saturday night, particularly during ‘interval’ time at the Ritchie Hall where there would be an ‘Odd-Bods’ Dance, or a ‘Young Conservatives’ one … 8pm ’til Midnight for 3/-, including refreshments, consisting of tea, coffee, sandwiches and various other nibbles, all the food kindly made and donated by members, and tea and coffee made by my mother, bless her (Nescafe Instant Coffee of course, later replaced by Maxwell House). Saturday afternoons were spent decorating the hall, and Sunday mornings spent taking it all down again, ready for the next one … fun times !!!
Hi Doug,
The answer for image 2: Kingsway.
Image 3: Merdon Avenue.
I’m glad you enjoy these photos. Thanks to Andy, who shares his family collection.
There are some more images – but the image quality needs improving before I could share them. I need some whizz-kid to help scan and enhance the photos for me.
All the best to you.
Hi Janet …
Thanks for those answers … I’ll be able to sleep now!
Keep smiling …