Preston in 1953, the final year of the coronation

For the primary time in seventy years, 2023 might be a crowning yr. What did Preston seem like within the remaining coronation yr of 1953?

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Notably, it was an period of austerity and post-war reconstruction. Many areas had not modified because the despair of the Thirties and mass demolition was nonetheless sooner or later. Many Victorian buildings had been in use and small native garages nonetheless offered rationed gasoline. Nonetheless, rationing of sugar and sweets resulted in 1953.

Storage Stan Marks, with classic pumps

Previous analogue dial, Esso petrol pumps nonetheless adorn the doorway to Stan Marks Storage, on this view from 1953. The constructing nonetheless stands on Garstang Highway. Nonetheless, the ornamentation above the doorways has disappeared, however the alternating pillars of stone and brick stay. Gasoline is now not offered from right here.

Learn extra: Preston in the 1960s – color postcards

Smoke and dirt

Remarkably, the picture above was taken in 1950. Subsequently, the homes had been demolished in 1953. This scene appears extra just like the Nineteenth century than the twentieth. The {photograph} appears south in the direction of Ladywell Avenue. These are previous hand weavers cottages and households would have lived within the cramped cellars.

After London’s killer smogs of the Nineteen Fifties, the Clear Air Act was launched in 1956. This successfully banned using coal in city areas. Not a second to see you quickly, judging by the smoky environment of the picture.

Learn extra: See hand-colored postcards from Edwardian Preston

The 1953 coronation

A vibrant spot within the post-war gloom was the coronation of Elizabeth II. Avenue events had been the order of the day and right here we see a celebration on Whittingham Avenue, Preston. One other level to notice was the truth that the coronation was televised.

Curiously, Coronation was an enormous driver of tv gross sales with slightly below a million 5 hundred thousand licenses issued in 1952, up from two million 100 thousand in 1953. Nonetheless, it was not the primary Coronation to be televised. The model new BBC tv service broadcast GVI’s coronation in 1937.

Millers and Babytown Cycles

One other type of transportation is proven on this view of Millers Cycles, later Invoice Head Bikes. Subsequent door was a stroller retailer generally known as Babytown. The shop was simply off North Highway on Hardwicke Avenue. This space is now below the Penny Avenue car parking zone.

For some purpose, three little streets on this neighborhood, lengthy gone, had been renamed within the mid-Nineteenth century. Dewhurst Avenue turned Hardwicke Avenue, James Avenue turned Penny Avenue and Kirkham Avenue turned Brownlow Avenue.

Charles III might be topped in Might 2023.

Learn extra: See Preston’s latest nostalgia