Sipson, Middlesex, circa 1920. The pub shown is the King William IV, a Grade II listed building built in the late mediaeval period. The whole of the village of Sipson, including this pub, was to have been demolished for the proposed expansion and third runway for Heathrow Airport. This was cancelled but the need for more air capacity in London means that Sipson and surrounding villages are constantly under threat. On the Google Street View you can see a banner that reads 'BAA don't bully Sipson families for profit'. BAA is the British Airports Authority.
The buildings on the right on the postcard have long since gone, in fact the pub is the only old building in the postcard that has survived. The building on the far right was a coffee shop - 'The Welcome Coffee Tavern', the building in the middle right may have been a shop. The Horse and Cart is from Ashby's Stores. The postcard was published by E.H.&S. of Yiewsley. Click the postcard to enlarge.
For more old pictures visit the Sepia Saturday blog.
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Old postcards from the early 20th century, compared to the same view shown on Google Street View today. The postcards come from my own collection. Almost all of them are from England, mainly showing West London, Middlesex, Surrey, Berks and Bucks. Click on the postcards to see enlarged versions. Street View images are the copyright of Google. Comments, questions or requests are welcome. If you repost my images on other websites (such as Facebook) please include a link to my original post.
This is one scene which is hard to recognise comparing the then and now. The pub wasn't looking so 'black and white' then.
ReplyDeleteWhere I live once the government decides it wants a piece of land, there's little that public opinion can do to stop it.
ReplyDeleteI always wonder what photo you'll come up with, will it be on theme or not? Very cool choice today. It's funny the photo of today with it's message so boldly on display, it would be cool to see what kinds of message back in the day would post. Of course back then they really didn't do much of that I guess...but now I have a mission!
ReplyDeleteIt would be a shame to demolish that old pub after it has lasted so long.
ReplyDeleteThe horse is definitely enjoying its oats. Unfortunately it's only a question of time before the politicians change their minds and allow that third runway.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, the fear of living near an airport. Expansion is always a threat. I am in the path of takeoffs which when the house was purchased was not a problem. Now as the county looks to expanding I fear what sort of noise will take over my life. I once lived on a military reservation where huge bombers used to fly low over the house as they came in for a landing. All life stopped as they flew over. I used to go outside to wave at the pilots who would wave back. They blocked out the sky completely.
ReplyDeleteAny postcard with a pub in it is a good postcard.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting contrast and a good example of the progression of time on urban/rural life. My sister-in-law lives in Richmond on the Heathrow flight path. Years ago the jets came in every 90 seconds, but this summer I timed it to about one every 45 seconds! Outdoor conversation is reduced to twitter-sized phrases that are constantly interrupted. It drives me nuts! I'd put up a banner too!
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