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Warwick Then & Now – A feature by Lynne Williams

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Warwick Castle (c) Lynne Williams

‘Warwick Then & Now’ is an eclectic compilation illustrated with photos old and new and accompanying captions the changes that have taken place post-war, bringing the history of its buildings and streets up to date with reference to their historical timelines. Driven by a need to improve public health Warwick Borough Council made rapid and radical changes that swept away austerity and revolutionised peoples’ lives and lifestyles. Gone are the terraced houses where families lived in one or two tiny rooms, bathing once a week in a tin tub under the dim light of a gas mantle. Gone are the outside taps, lavatories and communal yards. Supermarkets and chains have replaced many individual and family owned businesses. The wholesale demolition of streets in the 1960s also witnessed the demolition of some listed buildings of historical significance before it was realised that these should be preserved as far as possible.

 

Not all 1960s improvements were seen as a success, a notable example being the concrete and glass edifice housing the County Council offices, library and multi-storey car park. This was originally hailed as brave new architecture but has been the subject of much criticism since and was voted the third ugliest building in the United Kingdom in a television poll in 2006. The sleepy town of yesteryear is now a bustling hive of activity. Although customs such as the pageantry of the Assizes and Quarter Sessions has ceased, the annual visit of the Mop continues to thrill in the Market Place. Warwick’s famous medieval castle is a major tourist attraction which has put the town firmly on the map. Home to the earls of Warwick for many centuries, notably Richard Neville the Kingmaker, it was sold in 1978 to Madame Tussauds. Now under new management it puts on spectacular entertainments such as the firing of the giant trebuchet, a medieval siege machine, knights jousting and falconry displays. A thriving cafe society gives the town a continental ambience as it spills out on to the pavements from the many pubs, cafes and bistros. A weekly market selling a variety of goods from foodstuffs to household articles and clothing attracts shoppers and browsers alike. The Abercrombie Plan for Warwick advocated that its essential historical heritage be preserved and to date this has been done quite successfully by conserving the streets that formed the medieval cross; High Street/Jury Street, Northgate Street/Church Street and Castle Street.


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