20TH CENTURY BOX photographs
During the second half of the 20th Century particularly, the populous of Box changed significantly. Once inhabited largely by those working locally in the woolen mills and associated industries of the adjacent valleys, or in nearby towns such as Nailsworth and Stroud to which they walked daily, the introduction of piped water, electricity, gas and mains sewers as well as much improved road and rail links and motorways enabled residents to work further afield. Improved communications tempted many others to retire to Box and several cottages were owned by those to whom Box had become a second home.
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The photograph above is of Box Cottage, taken in 1936. The picture on the upper right shows Miss Ross, then owner of Box Cottage, taken in 1934. She was a local magistrate as well as governor of Stroud High School and Gloucester Domestic Science College. The photograph on the lower right shows Mrs Hurst, Miss Ross's housekeeper, taken in 1936. |
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| Box Corner (above) looking up from "The W". The car suggests the photograph to have been taken in the 1950's. | Box Inn (right), 1965, then still a thriving, village-centre pub but sold a few years later as a domestic residence, now known as 'The Old Box Inn'. | ||
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Also photographed in 1965, the picture above shows Box Post Office when it again shared premises with a general store, and by then was the last remaining shop in the village. Box had a number of Post Offices over the years, but this was the third and final incarnation. Both shop and Post Office were closed in the early 1990's and part of its structure incorporated into the new dwelling since known as "Clifton Cottage". |
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Originally at 'Box Hanger' and part of a general store, Box Post Office then moved across the road to the premises shown in this photograph. Eventually the Post Office moved to the premises shown below, since when the house on the left has been known as 'The Old Post Office'. |
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The coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953 was widely celebrated, not least of all in Box. The Coronation Arch shown here was erected between what was then stables (now garages and 'Old Stables' cottage) and the gardens of 'Box Green House', near the Village Green. The arch was designed by Edward Payne, a stained glass artist who lived at 'The Triangle' in Box for much of his life. Cross Cottages can be seen through the arch. |
Also taken during the coronation festivities of 1953, this photograph, taken on Box Village Green in front of Box Green Cottages, includes residents Mrs Sylvia Hopper, Mrs Ellen Weager, Mrs Edna Willis, Mrs Eileen Bick, Mr Joe Creed, Mr Allan Weager and Mr George Hopes. |
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Box Youth Hut (above), built by the villagers of Box and opened in 1950 by Lord Beaufort, was also used as the villagers' only meeting place until Box Village Hall was constructed in 1970. The old building no longer stands but the site remains clearly in evidence near the top of the footpath through Box Woods. |
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More coronation celebrations from 1953, with a meal on the Village Green. In the foreground on the left is Mrs Ellen Weager, serving, with Mrs Doel on the right. |
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| Cross Cottages and The Pen, probably taken in about 1930 | |||
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