Photos capture Starkey Knights demolition, army cadets and an old friend (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Photos capture Starkey Knights demolition, army cadets and an old friend

10:18am Thursday 9th October 2008 in Your Say By Rory McKeown

MERCURY readers have been busy rummaging through drawers and boxes this week to find fascinating photos of bygone Bridgwater.

Three endearing pictures showing what life was like for Bridgwater army cadets in the 1950s were brought into us to share with the town.

In the first picture, suited and booted cadets Colin Shay, Mervyn Selway and John Difford can be seen preparing for a band contest with their big drums.

In the second picture, the cadets drew laughter and delighted audiences with their pantomime adaptation of the classic tale Aladdin at the old cadet headquarters, while the final picture shows a group of smiling cadets waiting to go to camp.

Geoff Jennings brought in some quite remarkable action photos his father Doug took in 1968 of the old Starkey Knights brewery building being torn down.

Despite photographic technology not being at the standard it is today, Doug has managed to capture the exact moment the chimney started to fall. The pictures were taken at 11am on February 18, 1968. Do you remember this day? Do you have any similar pictures?

Finally, Mercury reader Chris Dunham submitted a picture of an old pal and would like help tracking him down. His friend Bob, who he worked with at Crypton Factors in Bristol Road, is pictured with a female acquaintance in the 1960s.

Can you help Chris in finding his old friend? If so, the Mercury would like to hear from you. If you have discovered any old photos you would like to share with us, send them to Mercury Memories, Bridgwater Mercury, Royal Clarence House, York Buildings, High Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3AT.