Lost on an English Lane: A 1970s Snapshot from My Slide Collection

There’s something truly special about digging through old 35mm slides. Each one is a tiny window to a moment frozen in time, and recently, I found one that perfectly captures a quintessential piece of British history. This image, which I've now digitized, immediately caught my eye with its vibrant colours and classic elements.

When Was This Taken? The Clues Are in the Cars!

One of the most exciting parts of these old slides is playing detective with the details. In this shot, the two cars on the road give us some excellent clues:

• The Green Morris Minor Traveller: This iconic "Woody" estate car is a true British classic. What's even better is that we can clearly make out its registration plate: OCK 74J. In the UK, the single-letter suffix on number plates indicates the year of registration. The 'J' suffix was issued between August 1, 1970, and July 31, 1971. This dates our photo pretty precisely to the early 1970s!

• The Red Car: Further down the road, a smaller red car, likely a Mini or similar compact, follows. Its presence further solidifies the early 70s vibe.

So, we can confidently say this photo was snapped sometime between late 1970 and the mid-1970s.

Where in England?

While the exact spot remains a mystery, the elements in the picture strongly suggest a location:

• The Red Telephone Box: This is the famous K6 'Jubilee' kiosk, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. These boxes are synonymous with Britain and were a common sight in towns and rural areas.

• The Tree-Lined Road: It looks like a classic B-road or a quieter A-road, winding through what appears to be the English countryside, bordered by a traditional stone wall and lush greenery.

• The 'OCK' Registration: Interestingly, the "OCK" prefix on the Morris Minor's plate was issued in the Oxfordshire region. While cars travel, this provides a strong hint that the photo might have been taken in or around Oxfordshire, or a neighbouring county in the South or Central Midlands of England.

A Scene of Simple Beauty

What I love about this photograph is its everyday charm. It’s not a grand landscape or a momentous event, but a quiet, ordinary moment on a road that has undoubtedly seen countless journeys. The vivid red of the telephone box stands out against the greens of the trees and grass, a burst of colour that feels so distinctly British. The cars, now considered classics, were simply part of the flow of traffic then.

It reminds us of a time when these phone boxes were vital communication hubs, and when a journey down a country lane felt a little more timeless, a little less hurried.

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More Than a Pub: Uncovering the Timeless History of The Navigation Inn

 The sepia-toned photographs, captured in 2014, offer a window into the timeless character of a truly historic building: The Navigation Inn in Sowerby Bridge. Nestled by the Calder and Hebble Navigation canal, the pub, affectionately known as "The Navi" by locals, is a place where history isn't just a story—it’s etched into the very stone walls.

The building itself is a Grade II listed structure, a testament to its architectural and historical significance. Its roots are said to extend as far back as the 15th century, and for a period, it was the site of the local Moot Hall, a place for local gatherings and the administration of justice. This means that for centuries, this very spot has been a hub of community life.

The current building likely dates from the early-mid 17th century, though it has seen its share of changes. In the late 18th century, it was converted into cottages with a weaving shop above, reflecting the region's booming textile industry. It was only in the early 19th century that it found its true calling as a public house, a conversion that was undoubtedly a direct result of the thriving canal trade.

The name "The Navigation" is, of course, a nod to its waterside location. The area was a key interchange point between the Calder & Hebble Navigation and the Rochdale Canal, making it a bustling centre of commerce. The bridge here, known as Chain Bridge, even had a chain fixed across it on Sundays to prevent boats from entering the wharf.

As you look at the images, you can almost hear the echoes of a bygone era—the clatter of horse-drawn carts, the murmur of lock-keepers, and the conversations of weary boatmen sharing a pint. The stone fireplace inside, with its "IMW 1722" inscription, serves as a tangible link to a specific moment in time, a reminder of John and Mary Wainhouse who once owned the house.

While The Navigation Inn has undoubtedly adapted to the modern world, offering a cosy retreat from the hustle and bustle of today, its true appeal lies in its enduring history. It's a place that connects the present to the past, a living monument to Sowerby Bridge's industrial and social heritage.

The pictures below were taken with Samsung Galaxy Tablet and Polaroid IS2132 in January 2014. Clicking any of the images should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green