EDITOR'S CHOICE KEEP THE 'COPTER IN WILTSHIRE! Council backs Gazette campaign STARS LINE UP Marlborough Jazz Festival line-up revealed STADIUM GREEN LIGHT New Swindon speedway stadium moves ahead TOWN'S TICKET DEAL Fitton pins hopes on 6,000 season ticket sales VOTE Would you give money to the air ambulance if it was moved to Bristol? Yes No GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL Just register

Most read Comments 1 Corsham shoplifters run into the arms of the police 2 'Back Chippenham's folk festival or lose it' 3 Thomas the Tank Engine heads back to Box 4 Honour for football stalwart 5 Chippenham security guard assaulted partner 6 'I need a boy to dance with me' 7 Chippenham booze ban on the way 8 Chippenham school unveils sixth form centre plans 9 Oh dear, I dropped Trescothick 10 Chippenham pupils' green award Today | 7 Days 1 Kennels hit back over dog breeding claim 2 Calne council votes not to fly flag 3 ASDA appeal starts in Chippenham 4 Drivers come to a sticky end 5 Traffic chaos fear in Chippenham over tests move 6 Wiltshire air ambulance will stay – for the moment 7 Wiltshire MPs' fury at ambulance threat 8 Helicopter chases burglars 9 Commission says ambulance charities must be independent 10 Calne drug raid was a warning say police

Comment

A general view of the High Street, showing Hodders and other stores

Photographs taken over the last century have provided a fascinating glimpse into the past of Malmesbury High Street.

One of the biggest changes has taken place in the lower High Street.

About 100 years ago, the lower part was filled with shops. But now houses have replaced them and the retail market has moved to the upper and middle sections.

Nevertheless, historian Graham Allnatt, who has put together an exhibition at the Athelstan Museum, said the most interesting thing is the way the High Street has kept much the same structure.

"The continuity of shops is fascinating," said Mr Allnatt. "Although some have gone and changed, many have carried on selling similar products for almost a century.

"It is interesting how people cling to shops with certain purposes. The movement of shops within the town is fascinating, as they look for new premises and move to different sides of the road.

"I still look at the High Street and think it has kept its charm, despite the fact the shops have changed around and about.

It has kept its pleasantness and, for me, it hasn't really changed all that much."

Baxters the butchers in 1986-8

Two petrol stations used to serve the town centre and evidence of one is still at and around Hyam's Autos.

Charles White's cycle shop and Knee's department store are examples of some of the High Street's most long-standing shops.

The exhibition also unearthed a number of old invoices from various stores but, interestingly, Mr Allnatt said there are very few photos of the High Street during the war and the 1970s.

The exhibition has proved extremely popular. "We have been very pleased with the response," said Mr Allnatt.

"I am trying to build up as many memories people have as possible."

2:24pm Thursday 6th September 2007

Malmesbury Building Supplies with a wonderful array of goods

The library in 1964

Print

Email this

Comment