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  1. Home
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  4. Letchworth, The Spirella Factory c.1950

Letchworth, The Spirella Factory c.1950
Photo ref: L39007
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Photo ref: L39007
Photo of Letchworth, The Spirella Factory c.1950
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More about this scene

This building was often known as 'Castle Corset'. The Spirella Company came to Letchworth in 1910. The new factory was commissioned in 1912, and was built over the following eight years. In his book 'Letchworth, the First Garden City', Mervyn Miller says, 'Spirella not only dominated visually, but equally provided a natural focus for the town's social life during the inter-war period'. There were few people living in Letchworth at that time who did not have connection with (or wore a product of) the Spirella factory.

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A Selection of Memories from Letchworth Garden City

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 Letchworth Garden City

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The Day I Fell In The Paddling Pool
I was playing with school friends and we all had our bikes, I picked up a puncture. One of my friends lent me his bike, we used to race around the path that surrounded the pool. I took one of the bends too sharp, crashed, the bike and I went in the water! Thankfully apart from a bit of damage to the bike which I repaired, my friend took it all in good part. I trudged off home with ...see more
Letchworth, the Paddling Pool, Howard Park c1950
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Added 19 August 2020

The Paddling Pool Early 1960s
I too can recall summer days at the paddling pool, and a fair on the grass. Also I can recall the men of the Letchworth Rotary pulling the Kon-Tiki around the pool. I can also remember the fountain. It was always slippery and greasy. It has now been removed...but I hope to a museum as it was a true piece of Letchworth heritage. At the bottom of Leys Avenue there was a shop across the ...see more
Letchworth, the Paddling Pool, Howard Park c1950
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Added 30 November 2011

Recollections Of Letchworth Swimming Pool, From Mid 60's
As I look at this picture of the Letchworth swimming pool and notice the date is c1950… it would be only a few years later (mid 60’s) that my friends and I would cycle there with our towels and trunks fastened to the backs of our bikes (no expensive designer sports bags for us!). We’d padlock/chain our bikes outside the pool and hope that the worst that could ...see more
Letchworth, the Swimming Pool c1950
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Added 30 November 2011

Summer Memories Of The Pool
The swimming pool was a very special place for those of us growing up in the late 40's and early 50's. Summers were spent there, swimming & baking in the sun & drinking hot Oxo. The pool was our main source of activity & many friendships were made whilst keeping us active & healthy. Many, many fond memories. I live in Canada now, but visit often & if it is Summer I visit the Pool!
Letchworth, the Swimming Pool c1950
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Added 10 July 2010

More about Image Optimisation

All our photos are printed as optimised versions of their originals, this process can take anything from 15 minutes to several hours. This ensures that the product you get shows the true quality that Frith photos are renowned for.

Example of image retouching:

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Genealogy & Research Images

Despite over 20 years’ work on the archive, these scans have still not been individually checked and may prove to be damaged, faded, or not of sufficient quality to ever be offered in our full product range. However, if you would particularly like to buy one of these please get in touch quoting the Frith negative number,(s) the town name and size of print you would like to buy. On receipt of your enquiry our archivist will check the scan and advise you if the quality is good enough.

What is an Album?

An album is a way to save a selection of Frith photos, maps and memories that are of interest to you.

Creating an Album enables you to make short lists and then make a final selection from the album. In particular it makes ordering things like calendars much easier - simply create an Album of the 12 photos you like and then use the Album when placng your order - our order process will give you this option.

You can create as many Albums as you want, so perhaps make one for your hometown, where you live now, where your parents live now etc.