Alton, Hampshire

Alton High Street, Tobaconist  - A Jones

I was born at Southbrook, Lenten Street in 1949. Father ran a shop called A Jones Tobacconist on High Street, which had earlier been my grandfather's (Arthur Jones - known as Jack). I went to school at Mayfield, opposite Anstey Park. I moved to Devon in 1959 and now live in Sweden, so have no modern memories of Alton. Has anybody any photos that show our old shop? It was on the corner of High Street and Turk Street.  My claim to fame in 1957 or 58 - was that I was the first person to get knocked down on Alton's first 'Zebra Crossing.

Memories

I was in hospital from January 1963 for 6 months to have my right leg stretched, it didn't totally work, but it was in 1966/1967 when I had to have several operations for the other leg. Although it was my first time away from home everyone seemed to help each other. The snow drifts didn't bother anyone much, the Solent had ice floating in it. Does anyone remember Pammy, Emily and Cathy? They were also patients in ward 7. I remember Mrs Horsforth, she was a cleaner who liked Frank Ifield. Miss Coates worked there too, and Fred the porter.

Friends Reunited

I was in hospital for two and a half years, I made lots of friends there. There were three girls I remember, one was Pat Davis, she had TB just like me, Susan Burgess was another and Evonne la Page was the other one. If anyone knows anything about them I would love to know. My surname was Braybrook  and like I said I was in hospital around 1955-1956, not quite sure of the exact date.

Block 5 lads

I was put in Treloars as a last attempt to cure my Lupus Vulgaris, and have many happy memories of the staff and the lads in with me, alas the only names I can recall are John Tissington and David Doe. Woud love to hear from anyone remembering me, regards, Ernie.

Hampshire Photographic Memories

Note the shopkeepers diligently scanning the High Street in search of custom. Outside E.W. Wrenn is a placard advertising the London Daily Chronicle; while Eiffel Tower lemonade is for sale at nearby Caffall & Co. This part of Alton includes various 18th-century buildings as well as some from an earlier period.

Hampshire Photographic Memories

Forty years before this picture was taken, a gruesome murder took place in Alton - that of Fanny Adams, an eight- year-old child. Her name later passed into the English language as ‘Sweet Fanny Adams’ or simply ‘Sweet F.A’. Earlier still, the Roundheads captured the town from the Cavaliers during the Civil War.

Hampshire Photographic Memories

At the close of the 19th century, Alton bore the stamp of an old country market town, with its bustling streets and striking shop fronts. Opposite the King’s Head is the town’s market square.