Lost Basingstoke. Montage of Old Photos of Basingstoke.
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- Lost Basingstoke. Old Photos of Basingstoke. My home town in pictures. A montage of old photos of my home town Basingstoke
Situated in a valley through the North Downs at an average altitude of 88 metres (289 ft) Basingstoke is a major interchange between Reading, Newbury, Andover, Winchester, and Alton, and lies on the natural trade route between the southwest of England and London.
Basingstoke's expansion has absorbed much surrounding farmland and scattered housing, transforming it into housing estates or local districts. Many of these new estates are designed as almost self-contained communities, such as Lychpit, Chineham, Popley, Winklebury, Oakridge, Kempshott, Brighton Hill, Viables, South Ham, Black Dam, Buckskin and Hatch Warren. The M3 acts as a buffer zone to the south of the town, and the South Western Main Line constrains the western expansion, with a green belt to the north and north-east, making Basingstoke shaped almost like a kite. As a result, the villages of Cliddesden, Dummer, Sherborne St John and Oakley, although being very close to the town limits, are considered distinct entities. Popley, Hatch Warren and Beggarwood are seeing rapid growth in housing.
Basingstoke was among the towns and cities targeted during the Second World War, and suffered bomb damage including St Michael's Church. After the war, it had a population of 25,000. As part of the London Overspill plan, Basingstoke was rapidly developed in the late 1960s as an 'expanded town', along with places such as Harlow and Swindon. Basingstoke town centre was completely rebuilt. At this time many buildings of historic interest were replaced by a large red brick shopping centre and concrete multi-storey car park. Many office blocks and large estates were built, including a ring road.
The shopping centre, following money issues, was built in phases. The first phase was completed by the 1970s and was later covered in the 1980s, and was known as The Walks. The second phase was completed by the early 1980s, and became The Malls. The third phase was abandoned and the site was later used to build the Anvil concert hall.
Later that year, the Basingstoke Gazette launched its "Basingstoke -- A Place to be Proud of" campaign, aimed at changing people's perception of the town. The campaign is ongoing (as of June 2011) and marked by the presentation of annual awards to individuals, organisations or businesses nominated by the public for commendable local achievement. As a mark of the improving image of the town as place to live, the borough entered the top 50 best places to live in the 2011 Halifax survey at number 47.
Festival Place shopping centre.
The central part of the shopping centre was rebuilt in 2002 and reopened as Festival Place. This has bought a dramatic improvement to shoppers' opinions of the town centre, but it is unclear if it has softened the town's overall image.
Further work to improve the image of the town continues with the latest Central Basingstoke Vision project coordinated by the Borough Council.
In the mid-1990s, numerous reports described sightings of the Beast of Basingstoke, a big cat believed to be a lion or a puma, possibly two. Local legend suggests the animal was shot and killed, although no official news sources document any capture or killing of the beast.
During the severe snow storms of December 2009, Basingstoke and the surrounding area was one of the worst hit regions in the UK, where an estimated 3000 motorists were forced to abandon their vehicles around the town and on the ring road during the evening rush hour of the 21st
Well done for taking the time to put this together. Some great memories for me among those pictures. I was born at The Shrubbery in Basingstoke in 1963 and grew up in its surroundings districts and eventually moved away in 1996. I remember seeing the town centre development which was a massive change and spoiled what was a lovely town. It has since become a sprawling metropolis with far too many homes being built and its still expanding now. Most of the industries which provided steady employment have now gone, Smiths Industries, Lansing Bagnell, Boots, Elli Lilley, Eatons, Cannons and many more. Things were much simpler in those days, and in many ways possibly better too.
Excellent collection! I was truly amazed how many nice looking buildings and beautiful streets were demolished to give a way for malls! This shouldn't be done this way!
Many thanks David for an excellent selection. My family moved to Basingstoke (Vyne Road) in 1955, when I was 6, and I grew up there. I can remember nearly all of these scenes. I remember too, only too well, how wonderful the (old) new town centre was going to be, and the scorn later heaped upon it by the promoters of the (new) new town centre, i.e. Festival Place. Isn't it odd how planners are never wrong at the time? (cue “Big Yellow Taxi!)
In the postcard shown at 4:23, the gent in the foreground of the “London St precinct” looks to me extremely like my late father.
I was born in 1971, so i recognise the old cinema where i saw Mary poppins, star wars etc. We had to queue up outside in all weathers - only to reach the front of the queue to be told - "all full!"
Boo Hoo
I'm in the photo outside the Waldorf at 1.13 & 2.03, the kid in the middle with my back to the camera, was there with my brother, sisters and cousin. I have a close up photo of this with Robby the Robot from the 1956 film Forbidden Planet, I can even remember the sensation of the robot squeezing my hand.
Very worthwhile project and perfect music . I started my apprenticeship at Jacksons Garage in 1965 when it was Basingstoke's most modern building. My Mum & Dad made tanks and bren gun carriers at Thorneycrofts during the war .Still can see the mother and son that ran Stevens fish & chips opposite the Waldorf the Milk bar . Giffords and visiting Dr Peters the dentist opposite the cricket ground . It was a pleasant town now spoilt beyond belief .
Being a schoolchild (13) in basingstoke now and still beign able to recognize the landmarks today just based off streets and shops still here today (like loyds bank and the town hall) is crazy!
I have only been living in Basingstoke the last 15 years and what a beautiful compilation of photos and music. How things have change. Basingstoke is a great place to live.
My mum, Margaret Webb was born and grew up there. She married and moved to London but my memories of this wonderful town will stay with me forever. It's a total sin what they did and got away with the total destruction of this town and those responsible should be hung in my view. They destroyed everything, all my family on mum's side were devastated but all died now but hopefully rest in peace there. I adored this town as a child, all my family members were there then. Long ago now but his total and final end of any town should never, ever happen again. Progress my foot, it as politics and money that no one could fight against, try s they did. Basingstoke no longer is there, only now a concrete jungle.
A town that had its heart ripped out with no thought as to how it could function as old and new could never join up and never did
I can only echo what has been said and add my THANK YOU !
I was born at the Shrubbery Maternity home in 1954 and lived in Chequers road and Little Basing until we moved to Camberley in 67 the schools I went were Coombhurst and Charles Chute ,I also went to Dr. Peters the dentist I think he was Polish and did a lot of work on the servicemen who were shotup in the war but he did love to give you lots of fillings!!
My Grandfather Alf Thomas had a workshop at the rear of Fullers Café in Wote St. called the Reliance yard where he worked re appolstering furniture and making the seats for Lanceing Bagnall fork trucks.
jeremy thomas i think I went to school with you Jeremy mick Burniston of old basing take no notice of the masters name that's my business name
I remember you Jeremy I went to school with you mick Burniston old basing
I went to Charles Chute 1963 - 1971. I was brilliantly taught by Mr Carter and Mr Rosser amongst others. My best friend was John Handy.
What a shame it was ever developed: have lived here for 47 years but have since bought another property elsewhere in northern England which I hope will remain unspoilt by similar development.
I grew up in Basingstoke during the late 1960's and 1970's, and remember the building of the new town centre. What a shame. Basingstoke looked lovely before that hideous carbuncle was constructed!
My parents both worked at Thorneycrofts in the 1950s. We moved from Basingstoke in 1966 as soon as the plans were announced to build a "new town". My memories were of Basingstoke just before the demolition began. Coles Yard caravan site, the horse trough, the big old tree, the little streets leading to the railway station, a policeman on point duty at the crossroads by the old Co op store, Langhams department store with the lift to the first floor, Timothy Whites where I bought Penny Bricks, and our house in New Road, demolished to make way for the undertakers and the new town developments.
Thanks for a great collection. I lived in Basingstoke 1941-1975, and I remember very clearly. I understand the detractors and the lack of architectural quality of the early stuff, but as a teenager it was all hugely welcome.......the new library ....the new sports centre in town (even squash courts!)................the improved shopping facilities...........the ring road............ anybody out there who remembers the 'Continental' coffee bar in New Street opposite the old Post Office?
I was born in basingstoke in 1982, I've seen the changes over the years. I was talking to mum about it, and how i miss the old market square, Woolies and Alders, all before it was built up and the skyline covered in flats and offices. Festival place was nice.. to start, but the recession destroyed it, and now when you go there, its loaded up buildings, nothing special at all.
It makes me miss my old town.
born here in 1984. Just about remember the old Basingstoke, but vividly remember how huge a project it was to knock down and rebuild the entire town center. It was exciting at the time.
Now though, is it better? We have a huge mall where shops are constantly shutting down.
Despite living in Basingstoke, I don't go into Festival Place very often. But it seems that every time I do go into town, at least 1 shop has changed and there's always an empty one somewhere.
I grow up in basingstoke in the 70s lived in cliddesden Rd in 1976
Loved these , Nanny worked at the theatre, Great grandad at the brewery and sis and I would escort along with other kids & of course the adults the sheeps up the street from train yards to slaughter house. Played in the ruins . Born in 45 ande left early 1953 but remember lots of the stuff. Went back in 1979 for visit but our town council houses on Chapel had been torn down a couple of years before.
I lived in Chineham House until I was 16 --a beautiful listed house now boarded up and derelict .The Philistines at the council should be ashamed
The first image of West Ham swimming pool I have seen since 1967 !
The little boy in front of the lorry in the market square is me I think I was 5 years old
its changed so much!
So many local businesses were destroyed during the development. Maybe they would have ultimately disappeared anyway, but the end result (as of 2024) is not impressive. Where did the heart and soul of the town go? A TRAGEDY!
Thank you
I watched E.t and superman at the ABC cinema in the 80s. Then when it shut my mum and dad ran a charity shop from them selling furniture for the YMCA building in Eastrop.
I furnished my house from there! in 1998
Now where I work
I was based in and around Basingstoke from 1964 - 1973, Does anyone remember the Gingham Kitchen cafe in the old shopping mall? It served the best pancakes
Yes, I remember it, my wife worked there.
Good montage David, Im aged 55 now, but I do remember living in Basingstoke (Dartmouth Walk/Pinkerton Road? - I have a photo somewhere) from about 1963 to 1965 - this was the period when we had the worst winter (snowed for ever) and the cottages lining the main roads into town were being demolished (Sad).
Question;- Did the train station platforms overlook the bus garage below? or was it the concrete market square? - my memory is not what it was.
Im due to visit the area around Oct 2014 (first time in 50 years) with clients in wheel chairs for a mini day out - can anyone recommend eating places or park establishments?
Thanks Dave, do you have any DVDs of this for sale ?
Hello David. These photos are all unknown to me. I am an Australian trying to trace my family tree. Can you recommend any people or places in Basingstoke with records of its residents in the 1800s? My Great Great Grandfather was Henry Robert Lodder (1838-1903). The 1841 census shows that he lived in Church Street, Basingstoke, Hampshire, England.
Dear Mark Lodder,
I recently read your comment from 10 months ago and found it extremely interesting, especially in the fact that nobody had replied to you. So I decided that it was my duty to carry out your wish. I have searched your Great Great Grandfather's name into my findmypast.co.uk account and have pasted below my findings. I have to say, it was very straight forward to find. The dates that you have posted in your comment link to the dates found in the census below. There is also included some information on how you can look through the census for yourself with a piece, book, folio and page number. I hope you find these findings extremely interesting and helpful on your journey through your family tree.
Yours Sincerely,
Cameron Bennett
Family member first name-- Louisa, Mary, Henry, Inodine, Edwin, Elizabeth, William, George, Thomas
Family member last name-- Grant, Lodder, Illsley
First name(s)-- Henry
Last name-- Lodder
Gender-- Male
Age-- 3
Birth year-- 1838
Birth county-- Hampshire
Birth county as transcribed-- HAMPSHIRE
Birth place (other)-- England
Street-- Church Street
Parish or township-- Basingstoke
City or borough -
Town -
County-- Hampshire
Country-- England
Registration district-- Basingstoke
Archive reference-- HO107
Piece number-- 385
Book number-- 4
Folio number-- 12
Page number-- 19
Record set-- 1841 England, Wales & Scotland Census
Category-- Census, land & surveys
Subcategory-- Census
Collections from-- Great Britain, England
@@cameronbennett797 Thank you for your reply. Only now am I reading this. Thank you very much. I intend to visit Basingstoke in 2020 or 2021 providing that I can identify some local historians. Another coincidence is that I have a nephew called William Lodder, the next generation. Also, I have just arranged a memorial stone on his great grandfather's grave who died in Sydney in 1887. Thanks again, Mark
@@marklodder3131 I'm guessing that you also saw the advertisement for "William Lodder" at 6:06.
Hi, desperately trying to find any photos of major game house..... my father lived there as a lad and can't find any pictures? Any ideas??? Thanks :)
Is that David Webb of Cordale road fame?
When towns had character before the moderisers tore everything down.
I went there today it is quite quite horrible
Well don't go back - simple.
Amy Silverman well done Ann you tell them I grew up in Basingstoke lovely town till they moved all the londoners down mick
Don Graham This shows so many places I recall as a teenager a night out would be going to the picturesstanding the in a line waiting to be ushered by in, then lead to your seat with someone with a torchhalf time a scramble to the ice cream lady before they ran out of supply's. once pictures where overcross over the road to the fish & chip shop then catching a bus back to Hook with news paper wrapped around thefood the Aldershot and District bus would wind it's way up Wrote street in such force chips would fly all over your jeansI later worked on the new market square shopping precinct in Wrote street then became a section foremanon the new centre project shame to see part of the 1968 project replaced with the new festival centre althoughthe car park building crossing Churchill way is still there.My memory serves to recall our Wednesday teenage life of going to dance nights in the Haymarket theatre the boys would queue one side while the girls queue the other side then you would decide who you were going to dance with.At half time your hand was then stamped to allow access back in I thought the DJ was a guy called Johnny Princethe venue then moved to twist and trad nights at the Sarum hill hall.
Basingstoke is on its way to finished. I mean technically it's already finished like most other British towns and cities, but it's not Slough or Luton levels of absolutely *gone finished*... yet. But in 10-20 years it will be. And which idiot decided it would be good to a) Erect giant, god awful-architecturally designed buildings and then b) Colour them in hideous bright colours like yellow and green to see for miles around? I mean I know Britain got off on the wrong foot choosing the wrong moves in ww2 but, this isn't tellytubby-ville-town just yet, surely? Clowns.
Ah, the blessings on urban planners.