We came to the village in 1968, and Long's was flourishing then. Among various items mentioned they also supplied newspapers, and had a knitting wool counter presided over by Iris Smith. When the Longs retired Iris continued selling wool and sweets in the shop in Church Lane which later became a bookies. - from Anne Kirkman.

Posted by Old Will on Thu 27 Oct 2016 14:03:54 UTC

From Tony Manning: By 1927 the only property remaining was the white cottage on extreme right.Stan Smith (Chubby) and Ron Smith both in several other photo's in the collection lived there.Cottage survived for many years in a progressively worsening condition.

Posted by Old Will on Fri 02 Dec 2005 11:09:19 UTC

From AndrewC: Corner of Church Street and Long Lane now One Stop Church hall roof can be seen in the background, and the top of the hall spire is just visible. This was burnt down in one of the last of the village great house fires. I would assume this was about 1920 or so, as the replacement building is built in fletton "common" bricks, which wouldn't have been used in this area before this time, as the cost of transport from Peterborough would have been too high before then.

Posted by Old Will on Fri 02 Dec 2005 11:08:58 UTC

From AndrewC: J E LOng newsagent on right hand side.
This (plus the digger constructing the sewers) dates this as mid 1960,s, as the newsagent was in High Street until the early 60's as shown on another photo in the collection. Subsequently Mr Long closed his shop, and Mr Bishop took over the newspapers at his shop where one stop now is. This must have been 1970 ish.

Posted by Old Will on Fri 02 Dec 2005 11:08:07 UTC

From AndrewC: 1930,s or later, as the section in the cemeery behind the chancel was more or less filled by the mid 30's

Posted by Old Will on Fri 02 Dec 2005 11:07:45 UTC

From AndrewC: The level crossing gates were operated by the signalman winding a large cast iron wheel, which was behind the man sitting on the 1st floorwindow cill.
I remember as a small boy watching the man wind the handle in the box to open the gates. The gearing must have been very low, as the gates were quite heavy.

Posted by Old Will on Fri 02 Dec 2005 11:07:20 UTC

Series of pictures"When the sewer came to Willingham"> Due to the running sands under the village ,pumps used 24hrs a day.
Firm called Stewarts did the work,based in Bury st Edmunds.

Posted by oldjoe on Mon 15 Nov 2004 17:40:08 UTC