Street Views: Past and Present: 1
Woodgate looking north c.1910
This is an old postcard published by Dolby Brothers, stationers of Stamford. It was one of several views of Helpston streets they produced before The First World War. The photographer is standing on the east side of the street close to no.15. For comparison see the photograph taken in 2022 from approximately the same position.
Properties on the west side
On the west side of the street (the left of the picture) we can see the following. In the foreground is a fence in front of The Royal Oak beer house. The white post behind the fence was the pub sign.
The first buildings to be seen are a pair of late 19th Century semi-detached houses. They are not there on the 2022 photograph, which gives a view of the south elevation of Clare Cottage. The site is now occupied by the entrance way to the visitor centre of Clare Cottage, which is next. It can be seen that the cottage had not yet been converted into one dwelling. Two front doors are visible and only the end cottage has white painted stone.
The Blue Bell public house is next and beyond this is a cottage that no longer exists but stood on the site now occupied by 8 and 8A, Woodgate.
Properties on the east side
On the east side of the street, a woman looks as though she is carrying milk containers. The ruined house she is approaching is now the site of Victory Cottage (the house seen in the foreground of the 2022 photograph), built just after World War One.
The group of cottages beyond have long been demolished, replaced by a more modern detached house (which is not seen on the 2022 photograph as it is set back from the street).
Further along is a large barn fronting the street, part of Woodgate Farm; the roof line of the farmhouse being visible beyond. After more farm buildings, is the imposing roof line of The Old Rectory and in the far distance are the Buttercross and St Botolph’s church. In the 2022 photograph some buildings are obscured by foliage.
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