The Queen's Head, watercolour 1882

Comment by Hugh on June 15, 2012 at 19:27

Can anyone make out what either of the signs say?

Comment by Les G on August 9, 2024 at 15:56

Can't help but get hooked on this kind of thing. With a bit of online help, the white sign could be  livestock 'Swittle Salts' for cattle or horse feed. The Black & White photo from 1860 also has something similar at the top of the building with 'Reid Salts'?? I imagine horses would be the preferred form of transport at this time so advertising animal feed would be common place. I recall as a child in the 1960s herds of cattle being driven through the town past our house. They were walked from old grazing to new grazing. It was a thrilling event patting the cows as they passed the LOCKED front garden gate.

The green sign is less clear although the third word down could be electric- perhaps advertising electric power of some sort?

Comment by Hugh on August 9, 2024 at 19:09

Thanks LG. I think you have Swittle bang to rights.

Comment by andrew simmonds on August 12, 2024 at 6:34

May I offer for the sign on the right Fleur & Reed. I believe they were connected with brewing. Lines 3 & 4.

Comment by Les G on August 12, 2024 at 17:01

Certainly would make sense that it is a brewery name.

Comment by Richard Woods on August 16, 2024 at 13:52

Do we have any idea of orientation? Green Lanes and Frobisher junction  round about here.  The cinema would probably have been to the right of what we see here? So is this being viewed from what we would later call Ducketts Common? 

Comment by Hugh on August 16, 2024 at 13:57

Yes, I think the view is painted looking south from Duckett's Common

Comment by Richard Woods on August 17, 2024 at 13:35

Great image - thank you. I see Falklands not yet built in this? 

Comment by Hugh on August 17, 2024 at 14:33

On the map! Yes it had been started but it wasn’t complete when the map was surveyed.

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