Flemmish Weavers and Dickens

Our nearest village is Corsham and as it has hardly changed since the 1800's, I'd like to show some 'then' and 'now' pictures ... click any of the photos for larger images.
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I've tried taking my photoghraphs from the same spot as the originals (traffic permitting!)
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In the olden days Corsham used to be 2 separate villages, Corsham and Pickwick - they are now classed as Corsham which is gradually growing in size.

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This is the Hare and Hounds pub in Pickwick and it is said that the author Charles Dickens once stayed there and used the name for "Pickwick Papers"
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Hare and Hounds pub in 1905:

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Hare and Hounds pub 2008:

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The road leading from Corsham to Pickwick used to look like this in 1906:

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The building in the foreground with the curved window is now a fish and chip shop where I bought last night's tea!

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Below is the start of the High Street, which you can see has barely changed since 1905 :

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The building in the right foreground has been demolished since the above photo was taken, and the road in the centre is now pedestrianised, but as far as I can see, nothing else has changed apart from the TV aerials and cars.

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Further up the High Street in 1903 :

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The building on the right corner is now an Indian restaurant ... unheard of in 1903 I should think!
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Continuing up the High Street, you can see the car in this picture from 1931 heading towards you. You can't do that now as this road is one-way.

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I also used to work in the first building you can see on the left, and I have only ever been in the Royal Oak pub on the right a few times

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At the end of the High Street are the Flemish Weaver's Cottages, which date back to the 16th century. Corsham was once a thriving wool town and these cottages were built to house the weavers that came to Corsham. The windows were large for the period to increase the light which the spinners and weavers needed for their work. The building on the right, just behind the man in a cap is now the Post Office where I send my parcels from.

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The clock you can see in the foreground is still there even though I haven't got it in my photograph.

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And coming out of Corsham, you come to the Cross Keys pub where in 1904 children were safe playing in the road.

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Now it is a busy cross-roads with traffic lights on the A4 from Bath to London, although it is still the Cross Keys pub.

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I find it fascinating looking at old photographs of the town where I nip to the shops, and hope you've found it fascinating too!