Constant changes to Ipswich make some areas almost unrecognisable, while other parts of town retain many of the older buildings, writes David Kindred.

Ipswich Star: The buildings at the junction of St Nicholas Street and Silent Street in a recent photograph. Picture: DAVE KINDREDThe buildings at the junction of St Nicholas Street and Silent Street in a recent photograph. Picture: DAVE KINDRED (Image: Copyright 2012)

In this week’s Days Gone By I have visited areas of the town and re-photographed the scene as close as possible from the same viewpoint.

One building, which has stood looking neglected for many years, is a house close to the junction of Silent Street and St Nicholas Street.

It is listed in a 1921 directory, from around the time of the photograph, as the home of John Staddon physician and surgeon, medical officer to Ipswich Union Institution and surgeon to the Suffolk Constabulary.

In 1969, it is listed as J Halliday, Chief Inspector of weights and measures, while the smaller building at number 8 was Ipswich Health Department (rodent operatives).

Ipswich Star: The Buttermarket, Ipswich, looking towards Princes Street in the 1930s. The frontage of buildings in the centre, beyond The Thoroughfare, were taken back to widen the street. Picture: DAVE KINDREDThe Buttermarket, Ipswich, looking towards Princes Street in the 1930s. The frontage of buildings in the centre, beyond The Thoroughfare, were taken back to widen the street. Picture: DAVE KINDRED (Image: Dave Kindred)

The St Helens area of Ipswich featured recently.

Ray Deeks who lived on St Helens Street, at G Deeks Estate Agent, wrote in to talk about his memories of the area.

He said: “G Deeks Estate Agent was my father’s business and I lived there with my parents until I went into the RAF in 1953.

“I went to the School of Commerce in Argyle Street for two years when Mr Benner was headmaster and Mrs Beryl Harding his deputy.

Ipswich Star: The Buttermarket, Ipswich, looking towards Princes Street in 2017. Picture: DAVE KINDREDThe Buttermarket, Ipswich, looking towards Princes Street in 2017. Picture: DAVE KINDRED (Image: Copyright 2012)

“I am pleased to say the book keeping and accountancy courses helped me in later life and the business of Deeks & King in Derby Road was a result of that period and other work experiences later.

“My brother Bernard also went to the School of Commerce and became a nurse tutor following training at the two Ipswich Hospitals. “We are both in our 80s, but have very good memories of that period.”

The day in 1957 when a RAF Hawker Hunter jet crashed close to housing in Tuddenham Avenue, Ipswich, also featured recently. Readers have recalled that day.

Mrs G Ward said: “My family lived at 40 Tuddenham Avenue. I was working that day and when I got home my mother told me that my young brother John saw the plane come down between open ground and the cemetery.

Ipswich Star: Shops in St Helens Street, Ipswich, in the 1950s. You can see G Deeks estate agent, where Ray Deeks use to live. Picture: DAVE KINDREDShops in St Helens Street, Ipswich, in the 1950s. You can see G Deeks estate agent, where Ray Deeks use to live. Picture: DAVE KINDRED (Image: Dave Kindred)

“The RAF visited my brother and asked him about the incident, he was then about 11 years old. He is now living in New Zealand and is a pilot teaching flying.”

John who was mentioned by his sister shared his experience.

He said: “Not only was I there, but I was the sole eyewitness according to the RAF officers who interviewed me.

“I remember it as if was yesterday. A member of the RAF conducting the site (we used to call it the “Bricky”) took me under their wing and I scrounged quite a bit of debris.

“The Hunter jet was from 263 Sqdn based at Wattisham. The pilot ejected after falling into a spin, according to the official report.

“Fortunately it crashed at the one clear spot in the whole avenue.”

If you know more about these buildings or any others featured write to David Kindred, Days Gone By, Ipswich Star/EADT, Portman House, 120 Princes Street, Ipswich, IP1 1RS or email him.