Images of Ipswich in the past usually spring to mind in black and white, as photographs of the town from decades ago were mostly taken that way.

Images of Ipswich in the past usually spring to mind in black and white, as photographs of the town from decades ago were mostly taken that way. I recently featured some rare colour slides sent to me by Rev Roger Dedman, who recently retired from St Mary’s Church, Bramford. The photographs were taken by his father Harry, who worked at the photographic studios of Whitfield Cosser in both Carr Street and Great Colman Street, Ipswich. This week I feature a few more of his pictures.

Of the photographs published previously, Brian Schofield who now lives in Rigny-Usse, France, said “The photographs took me back to the 1960s. At that time my father had a greengrocer and general stores at 64 Woodbridge Road, between Bedwell’s the Florist and Horne’s the Butcher. In 1965 he bought a house in Cobbold Street next door to Miss Christine Podd the music teacher. I remember it cost �1,000, what price now I wonder?”

“As you pointed out the only building in existence in the photograph of Major’s Corner is the Regent Theatre, formerly known as the Gaumont. You could see the great films of the day as well as the great bands of the day such as Count Basie and Eric Delaney. After a show you could retire to the Mulberry Tree public house at the junction of St Margaret’s Street and Woodbridge Road, which was kept by former Ipswich Town Football Club player Tom Garneys of “Give it to Garneys” fame. A subsequent landlord was Norman Wyatt. I wonder what happened to the magnificent clock of Botwood’s and the illuminated Austin sign in the window. I have seen such signs at classic car events now costing up to �200.”

Sheila Steele of Montana Road, Kesgrave, also had fond memories of Botwood’s garage. Sheila said “My husband, who is 88 and I am 81, bought our first second-hand car from Botwood’s garage in January 1954. An old Ford Anglia HRO 904 for �250.

You also mentioned photographers Whitfield Cosser, I had my daughter’s photo taken at their studio in Carr Street opposite the Co-op in May 1953 which I still have.”