MEMORIES 582 and 583 delved into the history of the Post Office Savings Bank in Durham, which has just been erased from the face of the riverside, and asked if it were the ugliest building to ever have graced the fair city.
To illustrate the article, we delved into The Northern Echo photo-archive, where packets of old-fashioned photographic prints are filed alphabetically. We went for the packet marked "U & V", as V, in the minds of our past librarians, was often for "views". It worked, as we found several to illustrate the article and so many more that we present them here for your delight.
If you can tell us anymore about any of the pictures, please email chris.lloyd@nne.co.uk
A fabulous view of a picket fence, taken on July 16, 1962, with a cathedral behind
Ah, the ugliest building ever to deface Durham City. The Post Office Savings Bank being built in October 1969 beside the new A690 Framwellgate road. It is the building on the left, and, whatever you say about it, at least it didn't obscure the cathedral straight ahead, unlike the current development
The Post Office Savings Bank, perhaps the ugliest building in the city, being demolished a couple of years ago. Picture: Tim Cannam
These workmen had a panoramic view of the city in March 1985 when they repaired the railway viaduct - as can be seen from the view below
A picture from August 1965 which shows some fairly serious earth moving equipment clearing and flattening land somewhere in Durham. Where are they and what are they clearing? Perhaps there's a slight clue on the rear of the print where someone has written the word "heart". Does that help?
Looking down Leases Road in october 1969. Trees now line the verge in the centre of the picture so it is difficult to see the bridge and the cathedral
A classic aerial view of the cathedral and peninsula which is dated September 1, 1970 - if that date is correct, the trees on the banks have lost their leaves very early
This is the Milburngate bridge reaching across the Wear. The picture is undated, but the bridge was completed in 1967. This was obviously once a popular fishing spot
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