Longford (inc. The Red Hills)

Hello Philip, lovely photos. I got the wake up call when you mentioned Hen Lane, my hubby's cousin lives in Briscoe Road and has done so most of his life - Peter Adams. Not sure were the shops are around him so I must go and have a 'google' walk. Peter is in his 80's so he must have seen quite a few changes around him. Hi Gilly, It pays you to tell your children as much as you can remember about ones family, I try to. I was fortunate enough to have had a family tree journal compiled by my granddaughter last Christmas, she did a magnificent job with the graphics, old wedding photos and lots more, then had it professionally printed, so it will be there for generations to come.

Can anybody help me please, I am trying to find Canal Lane, Longford. I have traced my grandparents to living there in the 1911 census but cannot find it on any map. My grandparents were called Marlow

Hello Farndon Canal Road was renamed Lady Lane at some time after this map was published in 1913: Old-Maps.co.uk Only a few of the original cottages still survive.

Both the 1901 and 1911 censuses have farndon's family clearly at Canal Lane - it looks likely to have been close to the New Inn and to the Workhouse

It's the same road, just called different names at different dates. This is the 1904 map: Old-Maps.co.uk

Canal Lane is now Lady Lane where I live. I've come on to let you know if it is the coal merchants be quick as it's a Grade 2 listed building but in a few weeks it will be knocked down along with the little buildings attached. I have sent you an email explaining where and a little history but put this on in case you didn't pick it up in time. PS. If it is the coal merchants I'm sure it will be no 2, used to be no 7 years ago. Another listed building being knocked down

I see these ancient weavers' cottages in Hurst Road have had their topshop windows bricked up and replaced with ridiculous tiny windows Whoever gave permission for that should be taken out and shot!

Fabulous maps of old Longford. I was born in The Croft which was a row of houses off Canal/Lady Lane, clearly shown on the map near the number 454. It was demolished in the 1970s and replaced with new housing of the same name. The Marlow house and coal yard was opposite the entrance to The Croft on the east side of Canal/Lady Lane. The 1912 Spennell's directory shows three Marlows in Canal Lane: Josiah (banksman) on the west side south of The Croft, Mrs Marlow on the east side near the canal, and Walter (miner) also on the east side roughly opposite Salem Chapel. By 1921 the houses had got numbers: Josiah is at no 25, Caroline (Mrs above) is at no 36, and Walter is missing. By 1931 Josiah and Caroline have gone and W. Marlow (coal merchant) is at no 2, the house mentioned above. I think this is Walter Marlow senior, the former miner. Josiah could be his father or his brother. Walter senior's son Walter junior was part of the family business by the 1950s and one of his daughters Ann used to push me around in my pram.

According to local directories covering the 1912-1931 period, the coal yard near the Griffin pub was operated by the Lole family (Joseph, and later Jesse).

Ahrr thanks for that, Foxcote will be pleased, I hadn't a clue who the coal merchant was I could'nt recall one being there by the Griffin only recall Beryl Baynes, TV shop the butchers shop, the little shop by the bridge which used to do ear piercing now the new Post Office, Co-op and the Ironmongers but a few years ago I did see Lenton & Bray sign by the railway Hawkesbury Junction Blackhorse Road and they were in Radford too.

Thanks all Yes, The Griffin! I think it was 'Tony' Bray that used to serve us and sometimes there was an older, Irish man on duty.

Hi Morgana Can you recall the name of the TV shop as it's something of a passion of mine?

He wasn't there long Dutchman his sign just said TV rentals not sure if Longford was before the tv, his name I cannot recall but was a lovely man, have you got Vision Hire Trinity Street my sister was manageress also Radio Rentals which was also in the town, she also was manageress for her boyfriend Frank Harvey who owned Harveys Foleshill Road by the traffic lights Courtaulds clock.

Don't worry about it Morgana. Some TV shops didn't even have names as they were cut-price outlets for a parent rental company who didn't want them competing with their main business. Yes I was a happy customer of theirs before they were sold to Granada.