Local Northamptonshire - Part II.

This section covers miscellaneous archive pictures from
neighbouring towns and villages to Blisworth.

All pictures are presented at relatively low resolution.  Any interest in copies of a picture at a higher resolution (ie. clarity) should be directed through contacts given in the Blisworth "Round and About" parish council publicationor using the comment form on the home page.  In some cases the pictures are not available due to copyright restrictions.  However, permission has been obtained, where possible, to include them here.  Printed below each image is the photographer's name, if known.

Back to Home Page                   Part I                  This is Part II

28-12  This is Tuckey's cycle shop in Towcester, c 1900. (Note the penny farthings).

Tuckey's would charge 6d a day for cycles to be left while people went to the races.  That charge was about 1.5% of a man's weekly wage - perhaps £3 in today's terms.

28-14  The Gayton Brick and Tile Company "Staff Photograph".  Once again, the names included were probably suggested by the donor of the photo (or thought probably correct by GF)

Date c. 1910.
28-15  Date uncertain but probably post WWII.  These kilns were at the premises of the above-mentioned company in a field by the canal.  Once cleared after the company closed down c.1912, the field became a county council refuse tip.  It is now closed and finished.  What is not quite finished are measures still needed to prevent toxic leakage from the site.
28-150   The chimney at the Stoke Bruerne mill ready for demolition.  A gap in the structure is made and shored up by timbers which will be set alight - Fred Dibnah-style.  The year is 1914.
28-151   August 1 1914, the 200 foot high chimney at Gayton Brickworks is brought down - as reported in the Northamptonshire Independent.
28-16  Ironstone mining at Gayton Wood, c. 1925.
28-17  Boat launch at Braunston.  The wide design would make it particularly suited to maintenance on the canals, being more stable. 
28-18  Showsley mining pit.  Apparently it started as a limestone quarry in the 19th century, was mined for ironstone from 1860 and continued based on heavy machinery until about 1950.  A comment from a resident of Tiffield parish is that it was also used c. 1930 as a source of clay for the old brickworks near the SMJ rail line.
28-19  Ironstone mining at Showsley Pit. Second from the right, at the front, is William Robinson, born 1884 and lived at Shutlanger, nicknamed "Slen" (according to grandson Richard James Robinson).
28-20  Relatively recent leisure at Showsley Pit in December 1961 organised by the 750 Motor Club.

We need more information on Showsley Pit. 
28-21  The bridge over the canal for Banbury Lane.  The railway beyond is not visible as, of course, there is no overhead gear.

Note the little workmen's shed for overnight tool storage.
28-22  No doubt the distinctive roof line and windows features will be eventually recognised.  The building looks like a school house.  Suggestions are welcome.
28-23  It should not be too difficult to identify this place with what appears to be two bridges in close proximity with the large house between them.  One gent who gazed at this picture said that he could not identify the location but could smell the tar!
28-24   Jack James splicing rope at Stoke Bruerne.
28-25   Lady getting water at the lock keepers office in Stoke Bruerne.

 

 

 

 

 

28-26   Thomas W Millner, chief engineer for the section of the Grand Union Canal from Braunston to Stoke Bruerne.  He lived in Bridge House aka. Canal House, Blisworth Arm circa 1900 to 1933.

 

 

 

 

 
28-26a   A view of the house by the bridge over the Northampton Arm - date pre-1900.  This indicates that the house was once two houses - in fact two cottages owned by the GJCCo.

 

 

28-27   One of a group of six photographs of Roade railway station at the turn of the last century.  On the left workmen appear to be busy with the SMJ link to Towcester (this is clearer on other pictures)