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King George V jubilee celebrations at the Butter Market

The Silver Jubilee of King George V on 6th May 1935 was cause for huge national celebrations. His reign saw many major historical events affecting the nation, not least being World War 1 but also Irish Independence and the Equal Franchise Act that finally extended voting rights to women.

Early Photo: June 1935
Recent Photo : January 2025

As well as the decorations, flags and bunting seen, it is interesting see how much the pavement area has been expanded over the last 93 years, back in 1935 barely a footpath width was given around the Butter Market, this probably reflects that one of the the main routes for lorries from the quarry would be coming down Watling Street at this time!

Watling Street

Number 31. Probably built in the early 19th Century (possibly earlier) for workers in the quarry, this house was sold by the Lanesborough Estate into private ownership in June 1922. The house itself now extends over the footprint of #29 with #27’s land now under the garden.

Early Photo: Pre-August 1914 (earliest known postmark found on this postcard)
Recent Photo : January 2025

As well as the garage extension, (which now extends over the property’s old pathway up to their old rear gate), the main chimney has been shortened over the years; the chimney seen at the far end of the building likely belonged to the long-demolished #27.

At the end of the Lanesborough era in the 1920s, the Street family were in residence, as they had been since the 1890s. The lady of house, Martha Street, was a well know local midwife. Sadly one of their sons, George Edward, was killed in action at Ypres in World War 1; his name is inscribed on the memorial that now overlooks the house from the top of Castle Hill.

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