Furness From The Air

Here's a high quality aerial view of the village from 1974. The butcher's shop, at this time owned by James Lavin looks open for business as the shop blind is drawn. On the other corner of Station Road is Barbara Griffith's shop. The building that was to become the Imperial Palace restaurant was at that time, the offices of Riddick's Builders. There are a number of cars parked at the back of the office but note how quiet the roads are. The buildings of Riddick's yard may be seen on Charlesworth Road. This is the land, like a small wood, that became Charlesworth Close.
A train is approaching from Buxton, a three coach diesel unit. The fields beyond the station are still to be built on.There on the other side of Station Road is the Scout's hut.
In the brickyard is the old "bottle" kiln. Bricks and firebacks are still in production and stacks of them await despatch. The foundations can be seen for the first of the newindustrial sheds.
The Football Field looks in a very poor condition but the bowling green and tennis court are well maintained.

Take a close look at this photograph, there is so much to be seen

Furness Vale from the Air

Thanks to Jim Oliver for the loan of this aerial view of the village. The date is believed to be in the mid 1970s. The brickyard is still busy judging by the stacks of finished products. The framework can be seen, partly erected for one of the new "Industrial Estate" buildings. The last remaining "beehive" kiln is still to be seen. The Charlesworth Crescent estate looks very new having been completed around this time. Riddick's office and builders yard is still in Charlesworth Crescent so the picture is perhaps just before they took over the former Co-op in about 1974.
There are open fields on Station Road where houses have since been built.
The photograph appears to be one of a series of aerial views taken by Whaley Bridge photographer Frank Armstrong although it is one which we have not seen before