Memories of Bedford
Get involved in the Frith Memories Community
Savour and share Memories of your favourite places.
Start now - Add your own Memory of Bedford or to a Bedford photo.
Shared Memories of Bedford
 Bedford, the Picturedrome 1921 (ref: 70435x) |
Year: 1960
I was a projectionist at the Picturedrome
I worked there for a few years with Stan Hunt at the Picturedrome, and the Plaza which was nearly opposite across the river was owned by a man called Mr Cheetam. I also worked at the Plaza as a relief projectionist and also another cinema in Ampthill owned by Mr Cheetam. They were great days and I now live in Leicester but now see that all four cinemas in Bedford are gone, what is left? I thought the Picturedrome and the great cinema The Granada were LISTED buildings so who had them demolished should be SHOT. These cinemas have brought great memories to a lot of people and been destroyed by Bedford Council. Don't you think the Granada would have been great for live shows. What a big waste but thinking about it all, councils like wasting money and never mind listed buildings, demolish them. Eric Last edited: 14/07/2008 09:21 by Eric Bootles |
 Add your own Memory
 Read/Post Comments[0 so far]  Add to your Album
|
 Bedford, the Embankment 1921 (ref: 70437) |
Year: 1955
Working memories.
I was the main weekday driver of the launch photographed during the student holiday periods of 1955-1958. When I drove it, the name was 'Silver Stream'. It was the largest of a set of three electric launches which carried paying passengers for trips of about 40 minutes duration from the steps on the downstream, north side of the town bridge. Typically this launch would carry about 40 passengers maximum. Silver Stream was a magnificent launch to drive, giving a silent drive, almost no water disturbance up to the 6 knots maximum for the river, and had a tubular rudder form which surrounded the propeller. This permitted a very tight turning such that most of us could turn round in places where the river was reduced in width to one and a half times the launches length. The two sister launches were smaller. Silver Spray was a shorter less sleek version of Silver Stream and had a single section canopy (possibly in the background of this photo coming downstream). It would seat around 30 people. Silver Foam was a conventional shaped craft with square bow and stern and seating about 15-18 passengers. During the 50s these launches were owned and operated by a Mr Smith from his home on the riverside near Cardington. The premises are now somewhat extended and known as The Barns Hotel. The barn which I believe is now the present hotel's restaurant, was the winter quarters of this fleet for servicing etc. I was told that Silver Stream and I think Silver Spray started in the pleasure market in late Edwardian times. Silver Foam having a less elegant profile was probably added later. Last edited: 10/01/2007 15:20 by Mr Pc Hedgecock |
|
Add your own Memory
Read/Post Comments[0 so far] Add to your Album
|
Need to revise your search? Click here for our Search Homepage, where you can browse by Place, Postcode or Keyword.