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Whipsnade

Whipsnade photos

Displaying the first of 8 old photos of Whipsnade.   View all Whipsnade photos

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Whipsnade maps

Historic maps of Whipsnade and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis.   View all Whipsnade maps

Whipsnade area books

Displaying 1 of 6 books about Whipsnade and the local area.   View all books for this area

Memories of Whipsnade

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Bedfordshire memories

Family Connections.

Broad Walk c1965
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The gentleman in the foreground of the Quadrant in the dark suit is my father Albert (Bert) Brandon a local business man. He opened a fruit and flower shop at 12 Albion Street which was previously his mother's shop and sold haberdashery and household linens. Then, before his retirement, he started The Princes School of Motoring. He is waiting for my mother to come out of the bakers and she is possibly the lady carrying her purchase coming out of the shop. Strangely he is standing where he had a garden, a very large area where we played as children, before the Quadrant was built.

Remembering my Aunt And Uncle - Nellie And Nobby Clarke

High Street c1955
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I have fond memories of Dunstable from when I was 9 years old, going to the market on a Friday with my mum and Aunt Nellie. The market was held to the right of the picture.

My Lovely Family, Bill Joan And Paul Harris

Broad Walk c1965
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This was the year my son Kevin was born, we all used to go here usually on a Saturday.  Paul has just died , he was so special to all his family.  While he was in hospital he opened his eyes and said 'I have just been to Dunstable'. He used to work at Waterlows printing factory now long gone so did dad Bill Harris. Remembering them all with much love also Nobby and Nellie clarke, Cyril and Alice Collier.

Living Around The Corner

Downside Estate c1965
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I used to live in Sundown Ave, just around the corner from these shops. My friend Michelle lived to the right of the bus. My Mum used to work in the sweet shop at the end of the parade to the right. There was a supermarket on the far left with a chemist next door. I remember buying my Mum some rather stinky Yardley perfume there for her birthday one year for about 1/6d I went to school at Downside CP which you could get to by walking down the road to the right of the photo. People I remember living near theses shops are, Michelle Loggie, Steven Johnson, Michael Lithgo, Tim Francis, ELizabeth Graham, Angela Farrow, Janice Read, Bev Simpkins, Cecilia Atkins...and many more I am sure.,..

Orange Rolling

Orange rolling, Good Friday afternoon up the 'orange pit'. There used to be crowds of people all chasing little oranges down the hill. Never quite sure what you did if you caught one, I'm sure it wouldn't have been fit to eat!

Is this peculiar to Dunstable? I know of cheese rolling, where they chase a double gloucester cheese down a hill in Leckhampton (near Cheltenham) but haven't come across anything else similar elsewhere.

Memories of The Civic

Queensway Hall c1965
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My first memory of the Civic was that awesome ceiling, seen for the very first time at a do hosted by the then new Evening Post newspaper, for all the delivery boys & girls. Probably not long after the hall opened. The entertainment was none other than the Bonzo Dog Doo-dah Band.

Next, the heady days of the 70's when the Civic was one of the best venues for what has come to be called Classic Rock. We just called it rock then. Any band worth their salt played here along with one or two that weren't. Some names that come to mind are Pink Floyd, The Who, Wishbone Ash, Deep Purple, Quo ... the list goes on. I should write a book :)

I understand the site is now an Adsa. Ho hum, Dunstable is what Dunstable does.

Whitethorn Morris Dance at The Dunstable Folk Festival

High Street 1897
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Whitethorn Morris danced here at various town centre sites and pubs along with St Albans Morris Men, Caddington Blues and Bedfordshire Lace.

It was all in support of the Dunstable Folk Festival which was organised by Dunstable Town Council. A surprisingly enjoyable day was had by all!

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