EACH week, the Journal invites readers to identify a historic location from days gone by with most having no trouble at all with last week’s street celebration.
All the guesses that dropped into our inbox confirmed the location. Dave Plummer from Clandown was the first to email: “This week’s mystery photo is Duck Lane in Clandown. Now called Smallcombe Road.
“I have lived in Clandown for over 70 years and near to where this photo was taken. I can recall the Duck Inn next to the row of houses on the left of the photo.
“I believe that the pub was demolished alongside the houses shown on the photo in the early 60s with the current dwellings now present. The houses on the horizon are situated on the main A367 road from Radstock to Bath.
“As a footnote, at the time of the photograph there were three pubs and three places of worship in the village. Sadly the last remaining pub (The Lamb) recently closed. There are no longer any places of worship.”
Alan and Norma Norris guessed Clandown too: “We think this week’s photo is Duck Lane, Clandown,” while Andrew Thayer emailed in with the place and year: “I think the photo is Smallcombe Road, Clandown. 1935.”
One contributor online was absolutely certain. Recognising his mother in the picture, Andrew Tarmas wrote: “Mid thirties. That's my mum in middle of the road.”
Regular contributor Jeff Parson and his coffee club were spot on with the location: “A bit late this week but we think that the picture is Clandown, Smallcombe Road looking towards the Bath Road.
“It looks like some sort of celebration and judging by the style of the clothes worn by the people it could be 1930s, so possibly the Silver Jubilee of 1935 or the Coronation of 1937.”
Finally, Dave Seddon wrote: “Without too much conviction, is it Smallcombe Road, Clandown with the big houses on the hill fronting on Bath New Road?” Yes Dave. It was Smallcombe Road during the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935.
Thank you to Radstock Museum for the photographs. Get in touch with your guesses to: [email protected].