Dizzy Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Some old postcards from showing Warrington Town Centre- postmarked and sent early 1900's. A bit hard to read on here so I have typed out the messages. Words in [ ] are ones I couldn't read. Note the dates shown as that of the postal mark Dated 30 Nov 1909 Addressed to Miss Secker c/o Mr Hewitt 113 Westgate Wakefield Yorkshire Dear [Adela?] Many thanks for the funny P.C.. I don’t wish to be a taxi driver if they get treated in this way that is no place for a lady. I rather enjoyed the joke. I do hope trade is getting brisk. I am sending you this so you can see where our shop used to be it is now two doors further down the street. I have marked it perhaps you will notice the sign and our window is now where they cross is on the one. Louis came to see me on Sunday and brought the bike and I am so pleased with it. I do wish you were nearer. He sends his love to both so do I [?] good time coming up. Keep smiling. Kind regards to [father? + Percy + Aunt [?] [?]to. Lilian [?] [?] ----------------------------------------------------------------- Dated 5 Nov 1908 Addressed to Miss Secker c/o Mr Hewitt 113 Westgate Wakefield Yorkshire Dear [Adela?] I am so sorry to have been so long in replying to your pretty P.C. but I have a great deal more work to do now so not so much time on my hands as previously. I hear you like our photos and and glad you do. I will not forget our promise when I get all of them. Will you ask Lilian if it is my turn to reply to her as I cannot remember but fancy I ought to. Are you getting ready for Xmas I expect you are and hope you will be very bust in the shop. I hope [Luther?] is quite well and you and all at home . Louis has had a bad cold but now improving I am glad to say. Give my love to Lilian and Auntie sending [?] to both of your. Would like to see you again. Keep smiling [?] -------------------------------------------------- Dated 6 Jan 1918 Addressed to Miss [?] Bates Post Office Twyning W [?]bury Gloucester Dear [?] This is where I was with Aunt Jane yesterday it is a very busy place but shud not like to live there. Ruth ------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted October 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 This isn't a postcard but might aswell stick it in this section. This was one of the busy general stores on Bridge Street in the early 1900's - it more recently housed JJB Sports until becoming one of the many empty and closed down shops on Bridge Street. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted October 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Walking Day perhaps ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Walking Day perhaps ?? Very well could be cos it looks like it was raining, as per. Great pics of the days when the shops in town had character. What a pity that character was not retained! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 My godmothers maiden name was Toft and apparently they had a very successful bakery on Bridge Street ..... Only ever found one mention of it on a website. Anyone have anymore info? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Great postcards Dizz, and that is definitely Walking day, at a guess I would say late 1940's or early 50's. Heres a couple of photos of your Hodgkinson Shop. 1903-4 Bridge Street still has not been widenened as the photographer would have his back to the old buildings, we know this as tram lines have not been laid further than Hodgkinson's (right of picture) and catenary wires have not yet been put in place. About 1905 prior to the completion of demolishing the old buildings to complete the widening of Bridge street. Hodgkinson's on the left of picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stallard12 Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Baz, as soon as I read your post, I said "Oh yea, Toft's bakery", but I'm blowed if I can remember any details. I have a vague hunch that they had some horse draw delivery vans around town, with fancy painted logo and name on the side - I may be dreaming.... It was definitely known, so someone on here with a better memory than me, will know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arty69uk Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 algy ... super photos you should do a quiz ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 My godmothers maiden name was Toft and apparently they had a very successful bakery on Bridge Street ..... Only ever found one mention of it on a website. Anyone have anymore info? Baz, How's this for a bit of detective work, I found Toft's Bakers in the 1871 Worral's Warrington Directory and also the 1895 Slaters Warrington Directory, both directories give the address as 98 Bridge Street, the Feathers Inn was at 96. and Lipton's shop at 100 Bridge street, so No 98 Toft's was on the upper corner of the junction with Bridge Street and Friars gate. SEE BELOW: 1871 Worral's Directory. 1895 Slater's Directory. Here is Toft's Bakers shop No.98 Bridge Street on the corner with Friars gate, with the "Feathers Inn" at No.96. Although there is no name above the door, on enlargement of the photo confectionary can be seen in the window. On the opposite corner is Lipton's High class Grocers and Tea and Coffee merchants at No.100 (displayed above the door) across the street, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Fantastic Algy.... thanks very much. I'll add them to my ancestry tree!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Fantastic Algy.... thanks very much. I'll add them to my ancestry tree!! Baz, since my last reply I have found three more links to your Toft family, you may be aware of them, however just in case here are the links:- http://web.mac.com/magss/Mags_Confi_WebPages_1/HTMLFiles/HTMLFiles_06/John_Toft_P4670.html http://web.mac.com/magss/Mags_Confi_WebPages_1/HTMLFiles/HTMLFiles_01/Amy_Toft_P4680.html http://web.mac.com/magss/Mags_Confi_WebPages_1/HTMLFiles/HTMLFiles_04/Florence_Ada_Toft_P4679.html Good luck. algy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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