| Date | 18 November 2011 |
|---|---|
| Source | Slough Observer |
| Reference | VP-0004 |
| Volume | Views of the Past |
| Collection | Views of the Past |
Transcript
Read between the pictures
Views of the Past by Elias Kupfermann
IT WAS this time last year that I published my bestselling book, Vanished Windsor. I can report that within the year the book has raised £3,000 for the new Windsor Museum at the Guildhall. This will be used to acquire new objects for the collection, especially where gaps exist in earlier periods, such as the Medieval and Tudor eras.
The book boasts the earliest drawing of Windsor Castle (by courtesy of Eton College Library) dating to the 15th century, before St George’s Chapel was built.
It contains photographs from the 19th century onwards showing the many celebrations which took place in the town, ranging from the decorative arches to celebrate Royal marriages and jubilees to soldiers marching back from the Boer War and the two World Wars.
More importantly, it also records buildings which have long since vanished, such as the Queen’s Lodge adjacent to the Castle, erected by George III, and the original 18th-century Army barracks, in Sheet Street, which later became the Victoria Barracks.
Some buildings featured are shrouded in mystery, such as the now demolished New Inn Hotel where, in the 1930s, during its demolition, a blocked-up room was uncovered which was found to contain the 300-year-old skeleton of a dog, together with a musket.
One street in central Windsor (and its surrounding area) was totally cleared; this was originally known as Bier Lane, now River Street. Due to the overcrowding of the buildings, the dwellings in this street soon became slums and were later subject to demolition. The street frontages have been replaced by car parks.
From the 18th-century onwards, Windsor was renowned for its breweries, all of which have now disappeared. The book documents these buildings, along with the four cinemas the town once boasted. Illustrations – some of which are extremely rare – give an idea of what these buildings looked like, the whole area reflecting a vanished bygone age.
Vanished Windsor is still on sale and is selling out rapidly; copies can be obtained from Waterstone’s in Peascod Street and online through the Eton
It is an ideal Christmas present and has already given joy and enthusiasm, not only to many local people, but to others as far afield as Australia. By buying this book you also help the town’s only museum to preserve Windsor’s 1,000-year-heritage.
Vanished Windsor is published by the Windsor Local History Group and costs £10.
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