The Hippodrome

[Tony Ireland]

In Jeffs 1938 map and this is a longshot what was the Hall up from the picture/ theatre/hippodrome I recall everything else I think on the map.I can only remember the building being the (Panette) probably spelled wrong a firm that made pans.
Tony

[JEFF]

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

is this taken from the "Industry And Prudence - A Plan For Accrington" book, Jeff? I'm at work so I can't check out my copy).

Think when I come up for the match tomorrow, I might take a little stroll around there just for old time's sake!

No it is part of a 1938 Ordnance Survey map of Accrington that I have. Incidentally I will be behind the goals (under the roof) tomorrow.

[Wynonie Harris]

Originally Posted by JEFF

No it is part of a 1938 Ordnance Survey map of Accrington that I have. Incidentally I will be behind the goals (under the roof) tomorrow.

Oh right, it's very similar to the one in the book. A fascinating document, anyway.

Yep, I'll be under the roof, too, in my usual spot - top of the terraces to the left of the goal. A sunny day predicted, so we can't test it for leaks!

[JEFF]

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

Oh right, it's very similar to the one in the book. A fascinating document, anyway.

Yep, I'll be under the roof, too, in my usual spot - top of the terraces to the left of the goal. A sunny day predicted, so we can't test it for leaks!

My usual spot is first barrier down, left of the goal as you look at it from behind (between the goals and the Whinney Hill side)

[Wynonie Harris]

Oh well, we probably know each other by sight then, as, sadly, there's not that many stand round there!

[WillowTheWhisp]

Originally Posted by Tony Ireland

In Jeffs 1938 map and this is a longshot what was the Hall up from the picture/ theatre/hippodrome I recall everything else I think on the map.I can only remember the building being the (Panette) probably spelled wrong a firm that made pans.
Tony

From Jambutty's aerial photos it looks like that hall is still there. I'll see if I have chance to go and have a closer look.

[jambutty]

Well that map is pretty conclusive.

If nothing else this thread has been a good exercise in verifying:
The older I grow,
The more I recall,
How little I knew,
When I knew it all.
Anon

As I stated at the outset, memory is a funny thing and what seems dead real now may not have been quite as real then. And in my case alcohol doesn’t come into the equation. Just galloping senility.

What that map does show is my old house at 148 Blackburn Road with a large back yard that we shared with the plumbers and painters, where Accrington Stanley (me) took on all comers (my brother) and usually lost. He was older and bigger than me. In summer Jim Laker (me again) skittled out the Aussies (my brother) until a straight drive over my head made its way through the living room window, annoyed my mother no end, destroyed a cake mix rising by the fireplace with glass splinters and got cricket banned in the backyard. No cake for tea either.

By the way – the fillet steak was absolutely delicious. Roll on next month.

[TubbyLes]

Anybody know the exact location of Pomfret Yard in the near area.My grandfather lived there.

[BERNADETTE]

I don't know if any of you are intrested but there is a DVD on sale now. I think it is called Accrington Then and Now(something along those lines). You can buy it at the cafe in the arcade and it is priced at £9:99.

[WillowTheWhisp]

I've just been round there taking a few more photos in follow up to the query about the Hall on the 1938 map. It is indeed still there as can be seen in the photos. It's now a Cash & Carry. (Photos 1 & 2)

Photo3 is what is now the bottom end of Albion St but this looks like it originally continued further on if you look at the pavement which disappears under the brick wall.

Photos 4/5 are the end of Taylor St West.

Photos 6/7 is the Co-op, which someone mentioned earlier as being at the top of Ellison Street but this is actually at the top of Oxford Street and is still there. It doesn't look like a relocated building.


This was quite fun. I got chatting to the woman who owns the Cash & Carry about the oldHippodrome and what the area used to look like. She was telling me that a coiple of elderly gentlemen, now deceased, who used to live on Blackburn Road had told her all about the Hippodrome and where it used to be, next to their warehouse.

[Wynonie Harris]

Thanks for those shots, Willow...very interesting. Sad to see that "Berlin Wall" type construction in pic three. That used to be the gateway to paradise (waltzers...candy floss...slot machines...hot dogs...the whiff of diesel...and the promise of fun and adventure!).

[jambutty]

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

I've just been round there taking a few more photos in follow up to the query about the Hall on the 1938 map. It is indeed still there as can be seen in the photos. It's now a Cash & Carry. (Photos 1 & 2)

Photo3 is what is now the bottom end of Albion St but this looks like it originally continued further on if you look at the pavement which disappears under the brick wall.

Photos 4/5 are the end of Taylor St West.

Photos 6/7 is the Co-op, which someone mentioned earlier as being at the top of Ellison Street but this is actually at the top of Oxford Street and is still there. It doesn't look like a relocated building.


This was quite fun. I got chatting to the woman who owns the Cash & Carry about the oldHippodrome and what the area used to look like. She was telling me that a coiple of elderly gentlemen, now deceased, who used to live on Blackburn Road had told her all about the Hippodrome and where it used to be, next to their warehouse.

It isn’t a relocated building WillowTheWhisp - that photo of the Co-op is of what used to be the clothes store next door to where I used to live. If you look on that map and find Blackburn Road it is just above the “K”. The white bit is the shared backyard leading to a gate onto Blake Street. There used to be a weeping willow tree off to one side.

If you look closely the cartographer has even drawn in the tiny front garden at 148 and it also shows the larger front garden of Myrtle House.

[jambutty]

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

Thanks for those shots, Willow...very interesting. Sad to see that "Berlin Wall" type construction in pic three. That used to be the gateway to paradise (waltzers...candy floss...slot machines...hot dogs...the whiff of diesel...and the promise of fun and adventure!).

Don’t forget the black peas (pigeon peas I think they were called) and baked potatoes the like of which you cannot get nowadays.

Dodgems were many a kid got a busted nose. The caterpillar where boy met girl and found out the difference. And then there was that fast ride the one with motorbikes on the outside where they always seemed to find a bit more speed when the girls were all screaming. Health and Safety would have had a field day and probably closed the fair down. Fortunately there was no H & S in those days.

[jambutty]

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE

I don't know if any of you are intrested but there is a DVD on sale now. I think it is called Accrington Then and Now(something along those lines). You can buy it at the cafe in the arcade and it is priced at £9:99.

I feel another trip to Accrington coming on to get that DVD.

Thanks for the heads up.

[Wynonie Harris]

Originally Posted by jambutty

Health and Safety would have had a field day and probably closed the fair down. Fortunately there was no H & S in those days.

Very true, Jambutty. Amazing how we all survived, isn't it?