Fleet Street

Whilst researching something else - I think these are the same buildings from Anne's clipping above. From BFA in 1931 whilst Corporation Street was going in.

You can see the cupola on the top of the Co-op on the corner very clearly in Neil's photo also shown in Annewiggy's photo.

Rob's got a much better picture of it here, Prof

Just thought this made an interesting comparison - barely a street anymore.

This is the same as the1929 (C & W Coll'n) view Helen F

I'm sure some of you spotted this already but I've only just realised this one from Historic England which shows No's. 5-6 Fleet Street in 1941 . . . . . . is the same side of the building in Rob's Library images here (noted by the lovely columned doorway) which was opposite The City Arms and the junction with West Orchard which you can see in the background.

Just a thought - I was wondering if Fleet Street was a misheard 'Flood Street'?

Looking at Rob's street maps it looks as if Fleet Street appears some time before 1400 with West Orchard, to meet Spon Gate. It seems to have taken over part of the old Smithford Street, and so may have been named after a nearby feature which would be the river Sherbourne. If the river was fast running there it could be described as fleet.

A long time ago that was called Spon brook in deeds and papers. The area was always getting flooded, that's why they built Spon bridge. The word Spon was probably the stretch of ground or span or space between the town and the lepers hospital. Spon bridge wasn't erected till 1767 because of a flood the year before that caused huge damage. Again, on the Sunday 9th Oct 1800 the water rose, trapping the people in St Johns Church in the morning - the last of the congregation was not taken away till 8 o'clock that night. The water was 5/6ft high at the bottom of West Orchard. It even did damage in the Burges.

My great grandparents were confectioners and lived at 12 Fleet Street until the early 1900s when they emigrated to Canada. I am looking for a picture of the area.

Hi. As far as I can tell, number 12 was on the south side of Fleet Street to the east of the passageway leading to court 4. It was the left hand side (and left of the drain pipe) of the 3 storey, red brick building on the right of this picture. You can see the archway into court 4. In this postcard you can also see it on the right, the furthest of the orange buildings. Not sure what date this is. The building survived the war, so there might be better pictures out there. It appears in Britain From Above in a few places. If you follow the link below it will take you to one example. If you get a login (free) you can zoom in to the area. A fifth of the way up from the right hand bottom corner Number 12 at the marker. You'll need to zoom out twice Once you know where it is, you can select older maps on the left hand side. Zoom in or out to get the best view it will allow. Hope this helps

Talking of Fleet Street being wet. At the close of the 18th century, a coach driven by a driver named Marsh coming from Birmingham at great speed turned into Fleet Street. By an unlucky chance, a coal biggler's (dealer) donkey and cart, came abruptly out of West Orchard. Marsh, unable to pull up in time, the horses and coach were overturned causing a great spill. The passengers were shaken and bruised, the four horses getting up dragged the coach some distance before they stopped. Marsh was thrown off the coach into the arms of the landlord of the Ram Inn who happened to be standing at his front door smoking a pipe, and much to the landlord's amazement they both rolled down the steps which led from the front door to the passage, and tumbled into the bar together - neither much hurt except for a few bruises. I love these old stories.

Pretty sure we have seen this one before but added due to its clarity - mods move if desired. However I think this shows the backs of properties on Fleet Street looking over to the clearance for Corporation Street in 1926. I have an idea the photographer may have been standing on the roof of a building, possibly in Conduit Yard?

Helen F, Your post, on the right, the large house you see before the Precinct, this side of the recess you can just see a little building, this was the Casino Cafe, a temp building. Like all the other buildings it had a limited time, but it did open till 9pm, and was a great meeting place for young people to meet on that side of town.