Historic buildings spared Luftwaffe’s worst

These two photos were taken by the Canterbury Kent Messenger in 1941, as part its survey of interesting or historical buildings under threat by potential bombing of the city.

The view on the left looks up Stour Street from the junction with Beer Cart Lane. Prominent to the right is the premises of dyers and cleaners, E Beasley and Son Ltd at No. 22 Stour Street. This was a late medieval building, which stretched back to the River Stour behind. Beasley’s also operated out of Nos. 23 and 24, the latter being an old weaver’s house, with the usual well-lit weaver’s loft.

In the event, Stour Street came through the blitz relatively unscathed. The exception was the frontage of the oldest part of Beasley’s, at No 22, which was blown away by a high explosive bomb. Anthony Swaine designed a new frontage, but this was never built. The remains of No 22 lasted well into the post-war years.

The picture on the right looks back down to Beasley’s from near the Stour Ville’s junction, which can be seen on the left. Beyond, are three late 18th century timber-framed houses with a brick frontage (Nos. 27 to 29). They became victims of so-called slum clearance in the 1960s. Next, and set back from the street, is the Two Brewers pub, the building of which can still be found in Stour Street today.

Furthest from the camera, and just before Beasley’s, are Nos 24 and 25, being the premises of Douglas Charlton, wholesale confectioner. They were demolished in the early 1970s, to make way for Stour Court.

Two views of Stour Street taken by the Canterbury Kent Messenger in 1941 in anticipation of potential bomb damage during the Blitz