Ross-on-Wye

A postcard (published by Frith's - no. 67701) view of the arches under the Market House looking towards Gloucester Road from around 1914 (World War 1).

A postcard (published by Frith's - no. 67701) view of the arches under the Market House looking towards Gloucester Road from around 1914 (World War 1) but this one has had colour added to enhance the card.

To the right of the picture, is H.C. Jefferies news agent (the shop with Powle over the door) with "All the war news" written next to the door dating the card to World War I and the "Ross Gazette" moved into that shop in around 1915. This sign can also be seen in one of the views of the Market House from Broad Street. It is also possible to see that the News Agent was "The SPCK depot" but I am not sure what this means.

A postcard (published by Frith's - no. 84590 [I think]) view of the arches under the Market House looking towards Gloucester Road. On the back is printed "T.N.T" - To-day Not to-morrow! - The Minister of Production

This is a later view out from under the market arches. This view is probably around 1916 because this was when the "Ross Gazette" moved from its original location at the junction of Church Street and High Street down to Kyrle House. My grandad helped them move when he was 14 and then worked for them for the next 50 years until he retired.

A similar view (taken on 25^th September 2005) out from under the Market House, the main change being the ever-present cars in Ross.

A postcard (published by Valentine's - no. 211831 - circa 1920) view out from the arches under the Market House looking down Broad Street.

A similar view out from the arches under the Market House looking down Broad Street taken in November 2005.

When comparing the new picture and the old postcard view, you can see that there are various changes. The roofs and upper floors of the buildings have hardly changed, but the lower part containing the shop frontages have dramatically changed but the Crown and Sceptre can be seen in both. The road layout has also changed and there is now no parking in front of the market house and there is now no roadway down the left side of the market house. In the postcard view there are trees to be seen in the distance which has now been replaced by housing.