Watford Town and Around part 1

[@joannedibsdale9859]

Wow this brings back memory’s. Especially kudos as that was open when I was a teenager

[@nolasway878]

I used to love the smell from the coffee grind shop next to Walkers.

[@iamnickmartin]

Thanks for compiling these photos. Really great to see.

[@peeking9614]

Thanks for sharing. I was a border for 8 years at the R.M.S. schools. My Mother used to take me into Watford during half terms etc., 1959 to 1967 when I left and returned to my hometown of Worthing Sussex. Would be even more interesting if the Photos had name-places. Thanks.

[@TheRobin1976]

OMG Polypets at 0:47! Got my first hamster (Benny) there around 1983, followed by Hamster 2 (Fluffy), who only lasted about 2 weeks, then we switched to gerbils and got Girby and Chum who were with us until about 1989…If you carried on down the road, there was a little cinema at the end that closed in the early 1990s I think? And the £1.50 stall at 1:29 in the marketplace - that was the £1 stall at one point and the woman who ran it used to say “Nothing over a pound on the stall today,” then she switched to saying “Not a lot over a pound on the stall today” when the prices went up.

[@mikesaunders4775]

I barely know Watford and this film was illuminating. I couldn't help noticing how much more interesting and architectually better co-ordinated Watford seemed prior to the nineteen-seventies. Modern shop fronts (not just in Watford) have become so much uglier, and a general sense of corporate sameness has removed all of the character of our high streets.

[@JF_11]

Really good thanks

[@tonyatkins2268]

Thank you, if you can watch episode 2.

[@lmsxo]

Thank you for this - great photos! Some of which I've never seen before which makes a change! Are you from Watford, do you have any other old photos you'd like to share of the town/surrounding Watford? If you grew up here/went to school/worked here/lived here, you may know some of my family, particularly mum's side - it's a long shot! Thanks again! X

[@tonyatkins2268]

Lisa Smith Thank you for your comment. Yes all of the above, where are your roots at Watford.

[@lmsxo]

Tony Atkins I was born in Watford (Watford General) in 91 but both my parents were raised in/around; Mum in Garston and Dad in Bushey. My Mum and her cousins worked in The Oliver at the top of town in their youth, both my parents worked (and met) working in Bejam in town and had their nights out in Bailey's/Paradise Lost/Kudos etc. Mum was born in 66 and Dad in 63. We're always revisiting the past!

[@tonyatkins2268]

Lisa Smith sorry for delay, if you get the chance and on Facebook you should see Watford History Group on the join a group area. I think it may take new joiners, on here you will find so much more from fellow watfordians and loads of photos give it a try. Tony.