Bargate, Grimsby c1904.

A very old, posted postcard by an unknown photographer / publisher. Postcards from c1904, like this one, still reminded the sender that it was OK to write a message on the left hand side of the reverse of the postcard. It wasn’t until 1902 that the message could be written on the same side as the address.

The view shows Bargate, looking towards the Town Centre. The turn into Brighowgate is on the right of the photo. The scene is still easily recognisable today. The sender has handwritten on the photograph, “Where the copper beeches grow.”

The postcard was posted in Grimsby on the 19th July 1904. The recipient was Miss Emma Marriott of 30 Gas Street, Kettering, Northamptonshire. (Gas Street is now Meadow Road. Should the address read 30 Gas Terrace?). Emma was a boot and shoe machinist in 1901.

The handwritten message goes something like this. “Oh who would go parading In London, and masquerading on just a night as this is, with that beautiful, soft, half moon. And all those ————– (line) If you please I’ll loike a walk to Thorpe will you go? I’ll call round about har-parst seven. MISSION FOR THE EVANGELISING AND CHRISTIANISING ETC. ETC. ETC. 19 July 1904. GOSPEL ADDRESS BY ————– (line) Sols. to be sweetly & efectively rendered BY Special dusft BY THE MISSIONERS. ENCORED IF REQUIRED. CHORUSES AD. LIB. ADMISSION ONLY BY APPOINTMENT.