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  4. Watford, High Street c.1950

Watford, High Street c.1950
Photo ref: W40019
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Photo ref: W40019
Photo of Watford, High Street c.1950
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More about this scene

Daniel Defoe wrote: 'Watford - the town is very long having but one street'. A few roads had been added during the following three hundred years, but the main High Street is still very long and busy. On the left, standing proudly above the other roofs, is Fisher's butchers shop. In 1881, Francis Fisher had the cottages on the site demolished and erected this imposing new shop. Further on stands the Rose and Crown and the Compasses public houses. Opposite is Cawdells' department store with its imposing 1930s frontage; demonstrating the commercial success and wealth of Watford are branches of the National Provincial, Barclays and Lloyds Banks.

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Memories of Watford, High Street c1950

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. These memories are of Watford, High Street c.1950

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Bushey History

Apologies in advance this is not a Watford specific question but if anyone had any information on the building that is currently Falconer School in Bushey, I would love to know. I am aware it was previously the junior Masonic School, the secondary being based on The Avenue, but have heard rumours of it being a hospital, possibly for TB patients? Just curious to hear more if possible!
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Added 25 August 2017

Cawdells
I have fond memories of this part of the town - I worked in Cawdells as a Saturday girl on the switchboard - great fun when you're 15! My mum bought all our bedlinen and other useful items in their January sales. My teens were spent visiting friends in the area and going to the Top Rank in the evenings for a good dance to Gino Washington and Tamla hits - great days! I also remember the old Sainsbury's with it's deep ...see more
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Added 26 March 2014

Cross Street Watford
Carol Collins, nee Bass. We often had the cows come in our back garden in the 1950s, they used to walk them to market.
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Added 23 January 2012

Watford Market
I can remember my mum taking us to Watford market, I just loved it, I was about 8 or 9, and loved looking at all the cheap jewellery, and coloured rubber balls, and toys, it had such a magical feel about it to me. Mum always had to have a bowl of cockles with vinegar and pepper on them, from the fish stall. We would just wander around, there were puppies for sale and kittens! And mum used to buy some Gibsons sausages ...see more
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Added 13 February 2009

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Genealogy & Research Images

Despite over 20 years’ work on the archive, these scans have still not been individually checked and may prove to be damaged, faded, or not of sufficient quality to ever be offered in our full product range. However, if you would particularly like to buy one of these please get in touch quoting the Frith negative number,(s) the town name and size of print you would like to buy. On receipt of your enquiry our archivist will check the scan and advise you if the quality is good enough.

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An album is a way to save a selection of Frith photos, maps and memories that are of interest to you.

Creating an Album enables you to make short lists and then make a final selection from the album. In particular it makes ordering things like calendars much easier - simply create an Album of the 12 photos you like and then use the Album when placng your order - our order process will give you this option.

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