A new housing development led to huge expansion of north Ipswich, writes David Kindred.

Ipswich Star: Do you know any of these pupils who took part in a production of Bedknobs and Broomsticks at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich in 1991? Picture: RICHARD RACKHAMDo you know any of these pupils who took part in a production of Bedknobs and Broomsticks at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich in 1991? Picture: RICHARD RACKHAM (Image: archant)

Ipswich expanded along the Henley Road area of Ipswich greatly during second half of the 20th Century.

Ipswich Star: Henley Rise, Ipswich, looking towards Whitton, in the late 1970s. Henley Road is in the foreground. Picture: JIM EMPSONHenley Rise, Ipswich, looking towards Whitton, in the late 1970s. Henley Road is in the foreground. Picture: JIM EMPSON (Image: Dave Kindred)

Ipswich Star: East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties?East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties? (Image: Archant)

The Dales, Henley Rise and the Crofts saw thousands of new homes built.

Ipswich Star: East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties?East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties? (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties?East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties? (Image: Archant)

Aerial photographs taken in the 1970s, by Jim Empson, show new houses being built in the Epsom Drive and Defoe Road area.

Ipswich Star: East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties?East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties? (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties?East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties? (Image: Archant)

Two of the schools in the area are Dale Hall Community Primary, which took in its first pupils in April 1967, and Castle Hill Infant and Junior Schools.

Ipswich Star: East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties?East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties? (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Tucking in to the Valentines cakes at Castle Hill School, Ipswich, in 1987.Tucking in to the Valentines cakes at Castle Hill School, Ipswich, in 1987. (Image: Archant)

I have featured photographs from both schools in this weeks Days Gone By.

Ipswich Star: Young Valentines card makers at Castle Hill School, Ipswich, in 1987.Young Valentines card makers at Castle Hill School, Ipswich, in 1987. (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Pupils at Castle Hill School, Ipswich, celebrated Valentines Day in 1987 with cards and cakes. Who was getting a special kiss thirty years ago?Pupils at Castle Hill School, Ipswich, celebrated Valentines Day in 1987 with cards and cakes. Who was getting a special kiss thirty years ago? (Image: Archant)

The area has lost two public houses in recent years. The Dales in Dales Road closed in August 2015 and is now a charity shop.

Ipswich Star: The dinner ladies at Castle Hill School were the Queens of Hearts with their ÒSweetheart BiscuitsÓ and ÒLove You CreamÓ in 1987. Can you add names to this picture?The dinner ladies at Castle Hill School were the Queens of Hearts with their ÒSweetheart BiscuitsÓ and ÒLove You CreamÓ in 1987. Can you add names to this picture? (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Dale Hall School in 1989.The cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Dale Hall School in 1989. (Image: Archant)

The Thomas Eldred, at the junction of Cedarcroft Road and Burke Road, opened in 1955 and closed in January 2012.

Ipswich Star: East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties?East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties? (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Henley Road, Ipswich, is on the left of this 1970s aerial photograph with Epson Drive in the foreground. Defoe Road is across the centre. (Photo by Jim Epson)Henley Road, Ipswich, is on the left of this 1970s aerial photograph with Epson Drive in the foreground. Defoe Road is across the centre. (Photo by Jim Epson) (Image: Dave Kindred)

It was demolished in April 2012 and houses now stand on the site.

Ipswich Star: East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties?East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star photographer, Richard Snasdell, was at Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, in September 1978 as a group of pupils walked through the school gates on their first day. Do you know any of the children who are now in their mid forties? (Image: Archant)

If any of the photographs featured bring memories for you, or you can add names to the pictures, write to David Kindred, Days Gone By, Ipswich Star/EADT, Portman House, 120 Princes Street, Ipswich, IP1 1RS or e-mail him.