The Great North Road

[hq1hitchin]

Look at this gem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYmFxoLb4OM

August 1939, a few weeks later and things would never quite be the same again.

[giner]

Superb, hq1. Thank you. Great shots of some once-familiar spots, though Stevenage High St. is essentially the same, as is the view from to top of Knebworth hill. For ECML fans, just off to the left of that view is Deards End Lane which is carried on that tall and graceful single-arch span over the main line just north of Knebworth station. Of course, at that time the view to the north included no Stevenage New Town.

[Andy W]

Fantastic stuff.

The shot at Brampton Hut was particularly fascinating, considering what is there now! A rather busy roundabout and flyover. Funnily enough my father used to do that run regularly in the 1930's and he particularly remembers the AA Hut there. I showed him this film last weekend and he got to the locations with ease. Not bad for an 87 year old!

The closing shot is one that I recognised immediately. It is Gonerby Hill looking north towards Foston Village & Newark. He has parked his car half way down past the concrete walled section and taken the shot. You can get that view today except the A1 is somewhat wider!

I was amazed at how much traffic was about in those days.

[hyperion]

Well ! This was taken in the very month in which I was born. As you say Andy, a fair bit of traffic.

And just after the start, where the photographer has the cheek to park his car in the south bound lane of the three lane road; and then the bit where the red MGA comes tearing the other way, this was the 'Barnet By-Pass' and this three-lane section passed between Potters Bar and South Mimms and is now the exact course of the A1M. Mutton Lane, from Potters Bar to South Mimms now crosses this stretch of A1M on a bridge but I remember when it was a straight level crossing, no lights, you just took your chance, but no trouble, even in the '50s on me bike - on my way to see 'Jubs' through Radlett, then, on, on, to Watford J. to wonder at the 'Princesses'.

Sorry about the bad language, got carried away, tremendous stuff hq1 !

[giner]

Quite familiar with the old Barnet By-pass myself. We used to go for a noggin at that pub which used to stand near the north-west corner of Bignell's Corner where the A1 crossed the A5. For the life of me, I can't remember the name of the place now. As you say, you've got to look pretty hard to be able to trace what was once there.

[hyperion]

O 'eck you've got me rackin the old memory banks now, Giner, of course I remember the place meself, there was the 'San Marina (surely it was Marino?)' swimming pool there but can't remember pub name at all, at all !

[StevieG]

Quite familiar with the old Barnet By-pass myself. We used to go for a noggin at that pub which used to stand near the north-west corner of Bignell's Corner where the A1 crossed the A5. For the life of me, I can't remember the name of the place now. As you say, you've got to look pretty hard to be able to trace what was once there.

?? Middlesex Arms ??

[hyperion]

As old Jack Brown would say, "YES INDEED, SIR !". That's the one StevieG, spot on ! Thanks.

[StevieG]

Well, I did grow up only about two miles away.

[hyperion]

So did I but damned if I could remember. Old age I spose.

Gnite