Malmesbury, The Market Cross c.1955

Photo ref: M13038

More about this scene

We are standing underneath the market cross and looking down the High Street. The road at this junction has traffic going in both directions, unlike today, when as part of the High Street one-way system the traffic now flows towards the market cross. On the right are some interesting directional AA road signs for Cricklade, Cirencester, Bristol and Gloucester. The finger sign points to a more essential local destination, as it reads `Lavatories`. The shop beneath the signs is owned by Norman H Lewis, a watchmaker and jeweller. On the left, near the parked van, is a handsome red brick building with an 18th-century façade with later 19th-century parapet and architraves. The Rural District Council had their offices here from 1939 to 1964. Before this it was the premises for Brooke, a baker in the mid 19th century, and then a smaller Malmesbury bank which was taken over by North Wiltshire Banking Co. The premises were next occupied by the Capital and Counties Bank Ltd until 1924.