Dunlop

Main entrance, 1971 Similar view, 2010 I assume there's still a similar view six years on?

Not sure Cliff - great photos but there's a ton of new housing gone up on that site recently.

This is the current google streetview image.

Thanks for that, mcsporran - but it does say "Image Capture Nov 2010", which is the same year as mine!

Yes I tried that but noticed they were old images. Was Swallow Road ever a drive through or was it always part of the works. Next time I'm over that way I'll try to get a current shot - if thats possible!

Hi, I don't know if this is going to be helpful. Here's an crop from a pre-decimal map. The road is not 'thro'. And I can't find one with it actually going thro. Maybe others can help date the map, even if only approx. Thanks.

Swallow Drive is what we called it when I worked there in 1955 and it was part of the works. Before Dunlop took it over it was SS Cars, that is where the Swallow came from, Swallow Side Cars.

How come it's labelled Jaguar cars then?

This will explain all

Thank you.

I worked at Dunlop from 1967 after leaving school and left in 1978. After two years "working" behind various bars in Benidorm I returned to Dunlop in 1980 and stayed for another 33 years until I retired in 2013. The Dunlop Field Days had been halted before 1967 but I remember them well as my elder brother (Alan Oldham) was an apprentice there from 1958. I do remember a trip organised by the Apprentice Assocation for the Blind Faith concert in Hyde Park. Although Swallow Drive did physically connected Holbrook Lane with Beake Avenue within my memory it was never a "through road" although I also remember it was an oft quoted fact that it was 9/10's of a mile from top to bottom. The easyfind map posted by Heathite must date from just post war. I have attached a photo of a 3

Derrick Arthur. Sorry, the picture is 1959, my wife Janet is standing on the float next to the men. My picture she is standing between the men on the left.

I bow to your better knowledge Kaga. The date of 1958 came from the Dunlop Digest Article itself rather than from me

Derrickarthur, I only know because my wife told me, she left Windmill Lane School at 15 in 1959 and had just started at the Dunlop. I worked for the Dunlop at Blackhorse Lane about 1949 time, I was sacked after about two weeks. In 1960 I was having a friendly argument with a guy, he bet me I could not get a job with the Dunlop after the sacking of before, but I did and collected my money, but also met my wife who was secretary to my boss. I have received some photo's from my young brother, I'll send soon on Hotmail. Kaga

Doing some simple maths Kaga, if your wife (Janet) left Windmill Road School in 1959 aged 15, she was born in 1944 ? My brother Alan Oldham was born in December 1942 and spent his entire school life at Windmill Road School. He also served his apprenticeship at Dunlop. We lived in Arbury Avenue (I have since moved 100 yards into Astley Avenue) two doors away from where Mr & Mrs Hackett and their kids (Keith, Ron, Jean, Eileen & John) lived. Where did your wife live back then? I also went to Windmill Road Primary School from 1955-1961 before going to Foxford. I also went to the Dunlop 1967-1978 and again 1980-2013. Coincidence indeed.