Abbey Street, Accrington
 

Hi, dont think anyone looking at this will remember this view, but its interesting to look at. I walk down this stretch of road every single day. The Wesley school is to the left, a garage being on its site now. On the right you can see the Swan Pub, then the New Jerusalem church, then you can see property which was known as "Briggs Yard" - a garage also covers this site.

Re: Abbey Street, Accrington
 

take away the street lights n tramlines n hoss n carts n sure was like that 50s early 60s? think it was around 65 when church on left of photo was demolished, i was living at Black Annies on Birtwistle st n passed it every day around that time,

Re: Abbey Street, Accrington
 

The Wesley Church was demolished in 1966.
Brigg's yard was behind those properties on the right, one of them had been inhabited by Beesley the Charterist, round the back in Brigg's yard was an old stone staicase which led to the rooms where Accrington's first Co-operative society was born.

Retlaw.

Re: Abbey Street, Accrington
 

Trying to date the photo: There are tram lines down, so it is not before 1886. There are no overhead electric wires, so it is before 1907.

Briggs' Yard had an arched entrance off Abbey Street.

Re: Abbey Street, Accrington
 

Well, whatever year it was the piccy was taken morning/early afternoon in spring/summer.

Any ideas what that lady with the big hat is doing, standing up in the fancy dog cart?

Re: Abbey Street, Accrington
 

probably morning n shes just getting ready to alight fer a court appearance:D

Re: Abbey Street, Accrington
 

Thats not a fancy dog cart its a milk float.
My question is in the attached picture.

Retlaw.

Re: Abbey Street, Accrington
 

BLACK ANNIES????? Do tell!!!! :)

Re: Abbey Street, Accrington
 

This may be a silly suggestion, but at least I am trying. When the King and Queen visited Broadoak Printworks in (think about 1913) they erected a "bridge" for them to drive through at the works. Maybe, just maybe, they also made a temporary bridge along Abbey Street. I have to say I have never heard of one, but ... I am trying! (if you squint your eyes, it DOES look like a bridge!)

Re: Abbey Street, Accrington
 

Isn't there a photograph in the Jubilee book on the visit to Broad Oak.

That in the picture looks like a stone structure and a big one at that.

The Royals would have arrived at Broad Oak in a Rolls Royce.

Retlaw.

Re: Abbey Street, Accrington
 

ya know now.:D;)

Re: Abbey Street, Accrington
 

My first thought was that this is a ceremonial arch. It would have to be big enough for a tram to get under, though in the steam tram days they may have been single-deckers only. In 1887 Queen Victoria's 50yrs on the throne was celebrated.I have not seen any photos of any arches in Accrington.

Re: Abbey Street, Accrington
 

Errr......wrong, Mr Retlaw. That's a hand pushed milk float on the left of the picture and those are two dog carts on the right of the picture. Read or watch your Sherlock Holmes - there are numerous references to dog carts there (a light, two wheeled horse drawn vehicle).

Whats the difference between a (horsedrawn) cart and a wagon? Well, a wagon has four wheels and would be drawn by two, four or more horses and in answer to your question of what is in the background of the picture the answer is quite simple: it is the back of a heavily-laden wagon - possibly loaded with hay or cotton bales. Set against a hazy backdrop, it does play a trick of suggesting a railway arch - but we all know there was not one there, don't we.

Re: Abbey Street, Accrington
 

As always, superb pics, can I ask where you get them all from ??? it would be superb if there was a huge online library if you will to browse through them all ;)

Re: Abbey Street, Accrington
 

Look at the picture again, there are not supposed to be any straight lines in nature, and that is a straight line with what looks like an archway. If thats a wagon its a dammed big one from that perspective.
Retlaw.