No Finer Town

[Shoemender]

It seems to me that successive administrations, so called custodians of our town, have done their best to destroy our heritage and so many of our lovely historic buildings. From the destruction of the substantial ruins of Northampton castle towards the end of the nineteenth century, through to the destruction of much of the towns potential "attractions" throughout the 20th century and many of our lifetimes, it seems they've been on a mission to get rid of anything that might attract any curious visitors to the town.
New theatre on Abington Street, demolished around 1960 and replaced by the horrendous block that used to be Primark.
Peacock Hotel on Market Square. A Beautiful 17th century  coaching inn. Demolished around late fifties. Replaced by the horrendous Peacock Way which eventually became Peacock Place.
Emporium Arcade. Vivid memories when deyn teyn with my mum in the early seventies and subject of a very sad video on youtube. Demolished along with the maze of historical streets and buildings at the top of market square to make way for the Grosvenor Centre and bus station.
Notre Dame High School on Abington Street. Beautiful imposing gothic style building at the top of Abington Street. Demolished late seventies to make way for a nondescript row of shops.
Removal of Market Square cobbles.
Railway arches.
Even the fairly recent and reasonably modern Chronicle and Echo building. What a great music venue that could have been.
Just a few off the top of my head. There are many more. It's a subject very close to my heart and it's so depressing what we've lost and what could have been. I'm sure it's the same in many other towns and cities but can't imagine they've lost so many iconic and well loved "monuments" any of which could be considered a travesty or even criminal. I'm sure many a former council leader took a substantial back hander to write off our heritage......... allegedly.

[Bingers]

There will always be a place in my heart for home.

And you are always welcome back.

[EB Claret]

They spent £10m+ on the East stand….

If only they had...

[Tabasco Kid]

It seems to me that successive administrations, so called custodians of our town, have done their best to destroy our heritage and so many of our lovely historic buildings. From the destruction of the substantial ruins of Northampton castle towards the end of the nineteenth century, through to the destruction of much of the towns potential "attractions" throughout the 20th century and many of our lifetimes, it seems they've been on a mission to get rid of anything that might attract any curious visitors to the town.
New theatre on Abington Street, demolished around 1960 and replaced by the horrendous block that used to be Primark.
Peacock Hotel on Market Square. A Beautiful 17th century  coaching inn. Demolished around late fifties. Replaced by the horrendous Peacock Way which eventually became Peacock Place.
Emporium Arcade. Vivid memories when deyn teyn with my mum in the early seventies and subject of a very sad video on youtube. Demolished along with the maze of historical streets and buildings at the top of market square to make way for the Grosvenor Centre and bus station.
Notre Dame High School on Abington Street. Beautiful imposing gothic style building at the top of Abington Street. Demolished late seventies to make way for a nondescript row of shops.
Removal of Market Square cobbles.
Railway arches.
Even the fairly recent and reasonably modern Chronicle and Echo building. What a great music venue that could have been.
Just a few off the top of my head. There are many more. It's a subject very close to my heart and it's so depressing what we've lost and what could have been. I'm sure it's the same in many other towns and cities but can't imagine they've lost so many iconic and well loved "monuments" any of which could be considered a travesty or even criminal. I'm sure many a former council leader took a substantial back hander to write off our heritage......... allegedly.

Removed what railway arches?

[Shoemender]

Removed what railway arches?

Pretty sure they were along Cattle Market Road where Morrisons is now leading out of St John's Station. I've got photos in an old Northampton book somewhere. I'll see if I can find it.

[DavCobb]

What are the best places (with outlets) around the Shire for shoe/boots around the £200-300 mark?

Anyone? There must be some people with very comfortable feet (and a few quid) on the board.

[F30]

Church's factory shop has some good bargains as does Trickers

[F30]

Pretty sure they were along Cattle Market Road where Morrisons is now leading out of St John's Station. I've got photos in an old Northampton book somewhere. I'll see if I can find it.

The embankment is still there, separating Morrison's carpark from Beckett's park, there's also some masonry left by the canal which would have been an arch

[Carton Lid]

What are the best places (with outlets) around the Shire for shoe/boots around the £200-300 mark?

Anyone? There must be some people with very comfortable feet (and a few quid) on the board.

Barkers, Earls Barton

[Tabasco Kid]

Pretty sure they were along Cattle Market Road where Morrisons is now leading out of St John's Station. I've got photos in an old Northampton book somewhere. I'll see if I can find it.

Yeah, ive had some time on my hands today, the bridge across Viccy Prom was steel/iron, and there were some arches underneath St Johns station. Not sure Id call them a tourist attraction though!  Waaay before my time as well!
I would recommend "Northampton Past" on FB, as they have a fantastic selection of old images in their media section.

The embankment is still there, separating Morrison's carpark from Beckett's park, there's also some masonry left by the canal which would have been an arch

That was steel/iron as well mate, Ive just checked. If I knew how to reproduce an image from FB on here, then I would. But as I said Northampton past is well worth a nosey. 

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

I'm with a couple of others on here. Golfers choice and Washlands. Love our canal network. Silverstone. And a few fine pubs/eateries.

Can’t stand what has become of our once beautiful town centre. And how we have never on a retail level fought back against MK and Rushden Lakes. Gutless rogue council.

[F30]

Yeah, ive had some time on my hands today, the bridge across Viccy Prom was steel/iron, and there were some arches underneath St Johns station. Not sure Id call them a tourist attraction though!  Waaay before my time as well!
I would recommend "Northampton Past" on FB, as they have a fantastic selection of old images in their media section.
 That was steel/iron as well mate, Ive just checked. If I knew how to reproduce an image from FB on here, then I would. But as I said Northampton past is well worth a nosey. 

I've just checked on Google street view, the masonry I was referring to has been demolished and there's now a housing estate in its place. I used to walk along the canal each day from South Bridge back in the late 1970's. Thinking about it it would have been a bridge support type thingy rather than an arch

[Melbourne Cobbler]

My grandad was a stage hand at the New Theatre. Used to work at the Electric Light Company on Midsummer Meadow and then bike up to the theatre straight from work. He was out of the house from 7 till 11 and did that pretty much 5 days a week for around 35 years plus Saturdays. With 10 kids he didn’t get much choice, my Nan used to say “all that work and we’ve still got sod all worth stealing”. That kind of thing wasn’t particularly unusual back in the day either. Sad what happened to that building.

[Shoemender]

Yeah, ive had some time on my hands today, the bridge across Viccy Prom was steel/iron, and there were some arches underneath St Johns station. Not sure Id call them a tourist attraction though!  Waaay before my time as well!
I would recommend "Northampton Past" on FB, as they have a fantastic selection of old images in their media section.
 That was steel/iron as well mate, Ive just checked. If I knew how to reproduce an image from FB on here, then I would. But as I said Northampton past is well worth a nosey. 

Found a great photo of the arches I was on about, being demolished.  I took a photo of the photo but cannot seem to be able to copy it on to here. If someone could give me some advice I'd be very grateful and share it on here. They would certainly have been of interest to railway enthusiasts and of more historical value than Morrisons or a housing estate!

[BackOfTheNet]

My grandad was a stage hand at the New Theatre. Used to work at the Electric Light Company on Midsummer Meadow and then bike up to the theatre straight from work. He was out of the house from 7 till 11 and did that pretty much 5 days a week for around 35 years plus Saturdays. With 10 kids he didn’t get much choice, my Nan used to say “all that work and we’ve still got sod all worth stealing”. That kind of thing wasn’t particularly unusual back in the day either. Sad what happened to that building.

Did he meet Errol Flynn?

[Shoemender]

Did he meet Errol Flynn?

He was a member of Northampton Repertory Company and performed at The Royal Theatre, not The New Theatre.

[Melbourne Cobbler]

Did he meet Errol Flynn?

Loads of old time music hall stars, probably the biggest was Laurel & Hardy.

[Melbourne Cobbler]

He was a member of Northampton Repertory Company and performed at The Royal Theatre, not The New Theatre.

He went on a date with my cousins Nan, not too sure how much of a boast that actually is?

[Tabasco Kid]

I've just checked on Google street view, the masonry I was referring to has been demolished and there's now a housing estate in its place. I used to walk along the canal each day from South Bridge back in the late 1970's. Thinking about it it would have been a bridge support type thingy rather than an arch

You need to join Northampton Past on FB, in order to see this image. But it shows the lockgates and bridge in Beckets Park.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10151290694319161&set=oa.262471523779295

[Melbourne Cobbler]

My Dad told me a story about taking my Paps pack up to him at the theatre in the evening and there was an Exotic Ladies Show. That was basically naked women on the stage. The law dictated that they weren’t allowed to move, so they would strike a pose, the curtains would open, people got a gander and they would then close, and the girls would change positions and so on. My dad who was about 14 secretly saw it all from backstage including the girls moving, raised the pulse apparently.