These are from winter 1981, when it was bloody cold – probably the heaviest winter I remember. We were just the right age for a bit of sledging in Abington Park, although looking back now, the slopes we came down were actually very gentle!
In 1979, the cooling towers at the old power station in Midsummer Meadow were demolished.
A few from around Northampton in 1978 – the Fish Market, Market Square, from the top of the Grosvenor Centre again, and on the canals.
Some pics from out and about in Northampton in 1977 – the Carnival, the Raft Race and the Borough Show.
A few shots from around Northampton, including some from the top of the Grosvenor centre (which prove that I do indeed remember when all those bits were fields…) and of the Guildhall prior to the modern addition.
Some shots from Abington Park in the summer of ’76
The wonderful Gallone’s ice cream vans, still there to this day. Is the ice cream as good as it was?
The council obviously had more money than it does now, and there were various entertainments put on in the park during the summer – these are some Belgian flag wavers and a Scottish band with a drum major (or perhaps minor judging by the size of her).
These are the Celebrated Ratliffe Stout Band – I know the name, but really don’t know much about them apart from the fact that they came from Northampton, were a folk group and were named after a Northampton beer. Very hard to find out anything about them on t’interweb.
And one of me, probably eating a Gallone’s. And yes, the top is home-knitted.
The long, hot summer of 1976 – sat here writing this in the wet, crappy summer of 2012.
This is The Brother on a slide at Midsummer Meadow pool, about to plunge through the ice into the frigid waters. OK, I exaggerate – but not much. Mind you ’76 was so hot that they might not have had to employ the ice breakers that year.
And a couple of candids from the Market Square
A slightly random selection from 1975.
This was taken in June 1975 at a Masque Theatre production at Easton Neston – home of Lord Hesketh. Through the gate was the home of his Formula 1 racing team, whose main driver at the time was one James Hunt.
March 1975, London Zoo. This is Guy The Gorilla. Especially memorable for me because for some reason he charged the window me and The Brother were looking at him through. Scared the bejesus out of us – let’s face it, who wouldn’t be spooked when a bloody huge gorilla charges you – and I was a skinny and weedy 6 1/2 year old. Personally, I think he took a dislike to The Brother – perfectly understandable…
And this is one for the social historians out there – my mother’s parents kitchen in Pembroke Gardens. At least that’s where I assume it is – looks vaguely familiar, but I was probably last there around 35 years ago!
Just a few from around Northampton in 1975.
Development of the Greyfriars bus station
And the Grosvenor Centre car park
These two are from an open day at Northampton College of Further Education (on Booth Lane – no idea what it’s called now).
You couldn’t get away with that nowadays!
And to wrap up 1974, here is the section that the family will have been dreading – the most interesting photos of them from the year.
We’ll start with Mother, looking surprisingly cool in her shades and the evening sun – she’s watching the Caswell Ladies Cricket Team.
Me at the Borough Show in Abington Park, tucking into a hot dog.
I think this is The Brother with my father on the dodgems.
One from London – cousin Chris, me and The Brother.
What’s that? The hair? Yes, I know – you have to remember it was the 1970s.
Me at Midsummer Meadows outdoor swimming pool. Those of you from Northampton who are old enough to remember it will probably have the same memories as me – that water was always bloody cold.
No idea where this was taken, but I’m guessing that the heat of the top that Mother had knitted got too much and I needed cooling down a bit…
