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Preston in 1965, the beginnings of the modern world?

Posted on - 15th October, 2023 - 7:00pm | Author - | Posted in - History, Nostalgia, Preston News
A 9F locomotive passes through Preston Station in 1965 Pic: Preston Digital Archive
A 9F locomotive passes through Preston Station in 1965 Pic: Preston Digital Archive

Preston in 1965 was a strange mixture of ancient and modern; steam trains still plied through the station, while the UK’s first KFC was opened. The locomotive above is a 9F, largely used for freight and the last steam engine to be built for British Railways, in 1960. The Docks were busy, however, children were dressed much as they had been in the 1930s. Nationally, the death of Winston Churchill marked the end of an era, and the Beatles released the Help! album and film.

Two children survey the still working Docks in 1965 Pic: Preston Digital Archive
Two children survey the still working Docks in 1965 Pic: Preston Digital Archive

Preston Town Hall

Preston Town Hall in 1965 Pic: Preston Digital Archive
Preston Town Hall in 1965 Pic: Preston Digital Archive

Another sign of modernity was Preston Town Hall as seen on the left of the image above. The figure in front sports a very 1965 hairstyle. The building on the right is the old Post Office, which is currently being converted into a hotel. You can also see part of the covered market at the far right. The car is a Ford Zodiac or Zephyr of Z-Cars fame. They had powerful but unreliable engines. Below is the same view today. The Town hall cladding has changed and the trees are somewhat larger.

Preston Town Hall today Pic: Google Earth
Preston Town Hall and the old Post Office in modern times Pic: Google Earth

Butler Street goods yard

Butler Street Goods Station in 1965 Pic: Preston Digital Archive
Butler Street goods yard in 1965 Pic: Preston Digital Archive

Another odd juxtaposition was the tower blocks and Butler Street goods yard. Goods were still distributed by the railways, even in the mid-1960s and the Victorian Butler Street goods station was in occasional use. This side of Preston station closed later in the 1960s and the building above remained derelict until the early 1980s, when Fishergate Shopping Centre was built on the site. The size of the building indicates the massive amount of freight once transported by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway into Preston.

The Lancashire and Yorkshire warehouse in the 1970s Pic: Preston Digital Archive
The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway goods warehouse in the 1970s Pic: Preston Digital Archive

Forton Services restaurant, opened in 1965

Another local landmark that opened in 1965 was the hexagonal restaurant at Forton Services on the M6, north of Preston. This was a familiar site to anyone heading to the Lake District in the 1960s and 70s. It was closed in 1989, due to fire regulations. The building was designed to resemble an air traffic control tower.

Forton Services restaurant in 1965 Pic: Preston Digital Archive
Forton Services restaurant in 1965 Pic: Preston Digital Archive

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