Looking at the Past

Today we had an afternoon of history at an event in the Town Hall.

Dave has taken some holiday due to him, so we went to the afternoon event this year. In previous years we've been to the evening showings. A new departure for us this year was a dubious decision to take the bus into the city center instead of driving in. Well, we do have our OAP concessionary bus passes so we may as well use them! Saves finding car parking spaces. I must admit though it wasn't the most pleasant of experiences. The new buses are uncomfortable, extremely cramped, have drivers who have very itchy 'brake' feet and passengers who seem to delight in discussing their dubious personal lives too loudly on their mobile phones!

The Town Hall is right on the center of the city. It was opened on 26 October 1933. 61 Architects submitted designs for it and a Mr Webber's design was accepted. The civic suites were designed for various occasions and circumstances. The Council Chamber has a painted ceiling representing activities of Peterborough at the time. These activities included a signal representing the large railway interest of the City, a wheel to indicate engineering, and the brick and trowel which refer to the extensive brick-making.The Mayor's Parlour is panelled throughout in English oak, as are the Committee Rooms and the Robing Room. The large entrance lobby and the staircase to the Mayors parlor, Reception room and the Council chamber is marble and a beautiful pale lime stone and is very impressive.

Anyway back to our afternoon. It was a presentation by the local History Society. Its an annual event at this time of the year and is to support the Mayors Charities. There were two presentations this year, presented by members of the society. The first a slide presentation of old photographs and postcards charting the changed along Lincoln Road from Westgate to Millfield. After a break with tea, coffee and biscuits We were shown a film show of a compilation of archive films looking at how the city had changed over the years. We both enjoyed these old grainy films very much. The whole afternoon was an enjoyable experience and the event well attended albeit by senior citizens! The bonus was a raffle in which Dave won a pack of biscuits!

An early view of Broadway with the old Embassy theatre on the right. Its remarkable how quickly you forget how places use to look after major changed have been made. So many changes have taken place in the city in the past 30 odd years since we've lived here. Some good and some bad. Dave remembered many more changes as he came to the city much more frequently during his childhood than I did. When we first came to live in the city in 1973 he worked at the Perkins Engines, Queens Street factory. It was demolished during the 1970's for the Queensgate Shopping Mall. I remember at the time when the development was in the planning staged, being staggered at some of the old buildings such as the Miss Pears almshouses and the old Royal hotel that were to be saved. Such new contemporary building going up ,why keep the old? Now I'm really glad they did and realise that too many of the good old historic buildings have gone for good. New is good and is needed for progress but must but balanced with respect for the past.

An early postcard view of Peterborough market complete with the Buttercross on what is now Cathedral Square. The market was moved to its present location in the 1960's The Buttercross was moved to gardens in Bishops Road about the same time.