Village scenes from 1950s identified
LOOKING back readers were quick to identify two mystery pictures from the late 1950s that featured in last week’s Echo.
The rural village scenes depicted were spotted as being in Cropston.
Eric Leake was the first to contact us saying that the bottom photograph showed a long former farm dairy building on the right, which at one time belonged to his old friend, renowned engineer Aubrey Upton.
Aubrey and his wife Wyn lived in the farmhouse, which cannot be seen in the picture and were god parents to Eric and his wife’s children.
Eric said that Aubrey was a lovely man and a highly talented engineer, famous in the world of kart racing for his Manx engine.
Dave Roche also contacted looking back to identify the photo, pointing out that the building on the left of the bottom picture with writing on was: “The Bradgate Arms.”
Richard hurt e-mailed saying: “The lower view is of the Station Rd, Reservoir Road junction in Cropston with the gable of the Bradgate Arms on the left.
“The upper shot is taken from nearer the junction looking back towards the village. (That could be an A30 or A35 pickup in the distance and I bet locals could identify the travelling shop/bakers van?”
John Bennett also emailed: “The top picture is in Station Road, Cropston, almost opposite the Bradgate Arms. The large thatched property is still very recognisable and the present bus stop is in almost the same place.
“The lower picture is probably taken from almost the same point but looking in the opposite direction, the “UTLER’S” sign is probably “Mitchell and Butler’s” the brewers on the gable end of the Bradgate Arms.
“The clue to this location is the road sign “B5328” and the “Midland Red” bus stop sign. An internet search led me to a superb website for details of any road: https://www.sabre-roads. org.uk”
Stephen Burrows also contacted us to say that the top picture shows: “What is now By the way Cottage (left hand side) and Olde Beams (right hand side|), Station Road.
The photo was taken from the drive of The Old House (Tylers) the cottages used to be three cottages but now just two.
“On the left the railings and gate can be seen of the Cropston Evangelical Free Church (Chapel), they are no longer there, why they were removed is beyond me.
Regarding the bottom picture Stephen said: “This is of Station Road, Cropston too taken from the Bradgate Arms car park.
The end of the pub can clearly be seen with the Mitchells and Butler’s name on the gable.
“On the same side is the black and white end gable of the garage of The Old House.
“On the other side of the road at the back is The Thatch (Howdens), coming back towards the car park where the van is, is where the village shop used to be (Ballards or Bollards) the cottages can just be seen then the large building is the buildings to Asthill Farm.
“The building at the very right hand edge of the photo is the shop of Bunny the village Butchers.”