Ashwell, High Street 1951
Photo ref: A149017
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Photo ref: A149017
Photo of Ashwell, High Street 1951

More about this scene

St Mary's church, most of which was built in the 14th century, demonstrates the wealth of the village. It also recalls the tragedy wreaked on the countryside by the Black Death and plague in the form of a graffito, '1350, wretched, fierce, violent - the dregs of the people survive to tell the tale'. It is difficult to imagine a devastated village when we look back at this tranquil High Street. Tommy Dennis's butcher's shop (centre right) was renowned for its ornate topiary and for the life-like bull's head mounted on the board across the building. The red, green and gold sign has been an important and attractive feature of the High Street for over 100 years.

A Selection of Memories from Ashwell

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Ashwell

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

A group of us lads from Muswell Hill in North London used to cycle to Ashwell on a weekend to visit one of our mates who moved there with his mum, his name was Peter and his mum was housekeeper at the Manor House where we used to camp and meet the local girls. We also used the local pub knowing we were under age at the time, but in those days we were a responsible lot and were never any trouble to anyone. I ...see more