Buildings

The Chinese Bridge, originally designed and built by James Gallier Sn in 1827 and rebuilt a further three times due to age.

Buildings in Godmanchester, lost forever. If you have any photo’s of buildings that were demolished or maybe just fell down in Godmanchester and would like them featured on this site then please get in touch with us.

Godmanchester is an ever growing town. Buildings have been built and torn down, Public Houses opened and closed and Romans settled here over 2000 years ago.

The maps below will give you an insight to how things were in the past.

Godmanchester is an unusual town because many of the old families who have lived here for hundreds of years and whose ancestors are buried in the churchyard of St. Mary the Virgin, are still here. Markham, Arnold, Thompson and Mortlock are just a few of the many old names still represented here. In many cases we are recording not only memories of old Godmanchester from the vibrant and amusing senior members of these families, but through them the memories and experiences of their grandparents and great grandparents. This way there’s every hope that we can bring to the community through snatches of remembered anecdote, at least an echo of how it was to live in Victorian Godmanchester.

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The Porch Museum holds special exhibitions or events each year.  

In May 2010 the Porch Museum showed its first produced film'Godmanchester Remembered', based on interviews with a remarkable man, Neville Markham at 96 one of our oldest residents. The film includes wonderful historic photographs from private collections, the museum and archives.

The film was a great success with over 100 visitors coming to view the film on its first showing. With many requests to purchase a copy of the film it has now been made available on DVD and can be purchased from the Museum Shop.

A preview of the museums second film Children of Godmanchester was show before the museum closed for the winter months. Again over 100 visitors attended and many requests were made to purchase a copy of the film. The museum hopes to release this DVD for sale in Summer 2011

The Porch Museum also made available to purchase, on CD a copy of the Queen Elizabeth's Grammar school Pence Book 1850 and 1855. A copy can be purchased from the Museum Shop.

A new addition to the museums family history boards was the story of George Cross a Godmanchester hero which now forms part of the museums collection.

The Museum is now closed for the winter months.

Opening dates for 2014.

Sunday 6th April 2.00pm – 5.00pm Admission free
Sunday 4th May 2.00pm – 5.00pm Admission free
Monday 5th May 2.00pm – 5.00pm Admission free
Sunday 25th May 2.00pm – 5.00pm Admission free
Monday 26th May 2.00pm – 5.00pm Admission free
Sunday 15th June 2.00pm – 5.00pm Admission free
Sunday 5th July 2.00pm – 5.00pm Admission free
Monday 6th  July 2.00pm – 5.00pm Admission free
Sunday 24th August 2.00pm – 5.00pm Admission free
Monday 25thth August 2.00pm – 5.00pm Admission free
Sunday 14th September 2.00pm – 5.00pm Admission free
Sunday 28th September 2.00pm – 5.00pm Admission free

 

 

A selection of Articles featuring The Porch Museums events and achievements.

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Articles in this section were first published by Godmanchesters Community Association in The Bridge magazine. 

The Porch Museum would like to thank them for giving us permission to reproduce these articles covering the past 35 years.

Some of the articles have had relevant images added by The Porch Museum.

Photos and text kindly supplied by Winifred Pender (Nee Dale)

The Salvation Army opened in 1887. At that time the population was between 2 and 3 thousand people. It was reported in 'The War Cry' that someone commented to the first Salvationists "I'm glad you are coming- we want some life here" The first meeting was held in a barn, cleaned out and fitted with a platform and held about 200 people. The response was so large it was not big enough.

During the next 100 years, worship halls in Pipers Lane and then Silver Street become the place to see uniformed Salvationists who would readily witness to a faith in God and it became a meeting place of many Christians who wished to worship God in an informal setting with music and preaching, activities for young people and many social occasions. During the war, German Prisoners of War would be brought from a house in West Street where they were detained, and they had the chance to share meetings with those who gathered in the Salvation Army hall on a Sunday afternoon. These meetings were led by trained Salvation Army Officers who were appointed by the Headquarters in London. It became a regular sight to see the band marching through the streets of Godmanchester and open air meetings were held in Huntingdon also.

Records show that those who went to be trained as Salvation Army Officers from Godmanchester through those years are named as follows:

  • Emily Bondfield (nee Pettit) 1891 Became a Captain.
  • Florence Groves (nee Reeve) 1894 Major.
  • Alan Victor Binge 1922 Major.
  • Valerie Pearl George 1953 Major.
  • Winifred Violet Dale 1953 Commissioner
  • David Wing Captain.

Godmanchester Salvation Army corps ceased operating in the early years of 2000 but there are still those who are members and attend other places of worship.

Click image to enlarge and read discription. For further Salvation Photographs please click here.

Jack Binge Sitting, Ronald Binge Standing - SA Bandsmen, Circa 1920  SA Over 60s Club C1980  The ladies Home league Wins the divisional banner Inside the old Salvation Army Hall Pipers Lane C1950 - Showing the Mercy Seat

For band member names see Salvation Army Band Pages For band member names see Salvation Army Band Pages For band member names see Salvation Army Band Pages

 

Please find a selection of photographs taken of the Godmanchester Salvation Army. If you have any further that you would like to contribute, please contact us here.

To view the history of the Godmanchester Salvation Army, please click here.

Godmanchester School Photos including the  following schools St Annes School, St Anns Lane. The Queen Elisabeth Grammar School, School Hill, Godmanchester and Godmanchester Primary School, Park Lane.

These class photos were taken between the late 1800s and 1960s and show the school children and teachers.

We have identified some of the children, however if you can update us on any corrections to names, please contact us here.

You can read more about teaching at St-Annes Godmanchester here

Godmanchester School Photos including the  following schools St Annes School, St Anns Lane and Godmanchester Primary School, Park Lane.

These class photos were taken between the late 1800s and 1970s and show the school children and teachers doing other activities other than the standard Class Photo.

We have identified some of the children, however if you can update us on any corrections to names, please contact us here.

You can read more about teaching at St-Annes Godmanchester here

Godmanchester Primary School - Park Lane

If you can help us name the children, teachers, assistants or add years and dates in these photos, please contact us here.

If you also have any photos that you would like to shaare please let us know.

Queen Elizabeth School, Post Street

If you can help us name the children, teachers, assistants or add years and dates in these photos, please contact us here.

If you also have any photos that you would like to share please let us know.

Godmanchester Sports Teams, from the Football Clubs to Cricket Teams.

If you have any Godmanchester Sports photos that you would like to share, please get in touch. We would be happy to scan them for you and publish them on our site.

Special Events in Godmanchester.