The Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace
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This famous monument, situated at the top of the Mall outside Buckingham Palace, will be prominent over the Queen's Diamond Jubilee weekend so I thought I'd post a picture probably taken by my gran, Ivy Alice Hibbitt (nee Dando), some time during the 1950's. A postcard from her sent from London to my grandpa has recently surfaced. It's postmarked 29 Aug 1955 and it's possible this photo was taken on the same trip.

In many respects, the scene hasn't changed all that much since the beginning of Queen Elizabeth II's reign until now. The statue on top of the Victoria Memorial looks much shinier these days compared to back then and the white marble is cleaner too. Was the hazy sky a consequence of the 'smog' that London was accustomed to having at that time or was it simply a misty day? I rather like the old-fashioned cars and the policeman standing there in his helmet.

I wish Her Majesty a happy Diamond Jubilee and many more years to come.

(From my grandpa's collection of old slides - see this post for more information.)

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The previous slide which I posted from Grandpa's collection showed the most easterly point of the UK, Lowestoft. Now I'm posting a photo of the most westerly point on mainland England, Land's End in Cornwall. My gran, Ivy Alice Hibbitt (nee Dando), is sitting in the group of four in the foreground on the left of the photo. The First & Last House can be seen in the background. Nowadays, the area has been turned into a commercial enterprise but this photo was probably taken some time during the 1950's when it was much more open and accessible.

(From my grandpa's collection of old slides - see this post for more information.)

[Why Travel Tuesday? This phrase has been included in the title in order to take part in Daily Blogging Prompts at Geneabloggers]

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Lowestoft is the most easterly point of the UK. This old photograph of Lowestoft Sands was probably taken by one of my grandparents, Charles George Hibbitt or Ivy Alice Hibbitt (nee Dando), some time during the 1950's or 1960's.

(From my grandpa's collection of old slides - see this post for more information.)

[Why Those Places Thursday? This phrase has been included in the title in order to take part in Daily Blogging Prompts at Geneabloggers]

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This old photograph of the Clock Tower which houses the great bell of Big Ben was probably taken by my gran, Ivy Alice Hibbitt (nee Dando), some time during the 1950's. At the time, the tower was covered in scaffolding and the Statue of Queen Boadicea (or Boudica) in her chariot can be seen in the foreground.

(From my grandpa's collection of old slides - see this post for more information.)

[Why Those Places Thursday? This phrase has been included in the title in order to take part in Daily Blogging Prompts at Geneabloggers]

  

  

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These photos were probably taken some time during the 1950's or 1960's. The Sandringham Hotel (top left) is still there today.

(From my grandpa's collection of old slides - see this post for more information.)

[Why Wordless Wednesday? This phrase has been included in the title in order to take part in Daily Blogging Prompts at Geneabloggers]

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My grandpa (Charlie Hibbitt) probably took these photos some time during the 1950's or 1960's.

(From my grandpa's collection of old slides - see this post for more information.)

[Why Wordless Wednesday? This phrase has been included in the title in order to take part in Daily Blogging Prompts at Geneabloggers]

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Continuing the Royal theme, this photo of Buckingham Palace was most likely snapped by my gran, Ivy Alice Hibbitt (nee Dando), some time during the 1950's. The crowds were gathered perhaps to watch the Changing of the Guard, Trooping the Colour, or some other event. Buckingham Palace looks much cleaner these days, compared to the grey facade seen in this picture.

(From my grandpa's collection of old slides - see this post for more information.)

[Why Those Places Thursday? This phrase has been included in the title in order to take part in Daily Blogging Prompts at Geneabloggers]

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With the forthcoming marriage of Prince William & Catherine Middleton, I thought I'd post on a Royal theme with this image of the Coronation Coach located at the Royal Mews. This old picture was probably taken by my gran, Ivy Alice Hibbitt (nee Dando), some time during the 1950's.

(From my grandpa's collection of old slides - see this post for more information.)

[Why Wordless Wednesday? This phrase has been included in the title in order to take part in Daily Blogging Prompts at Geneabloggers]

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Most of the M1 motorway was opened between 1959 and 1968. These photographs were probably taken some time during that period. Look, no central reservation barrier! If only the traffic flow was still like this today.

I'd be very interested to know if anyone can tell me the exact location of this bridge.

(From my grandpa's collection of old slides - see this post for more information.)

[Why Those Places Thursday? This phrase has been included in the title in order to take part in Daily Blogging Prompts at Geneabloggers]

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This photograph is of the Avon Dam on Dartmoor, not far from South Brent, and was taken in June 1966. There are more photos in the collection which were taken on the same day and it would appear to have been a family day out. I'm in some of the pictures, aged 3.

(From my grandpa's collection of old slides - see this post for more information.)

[Why Wordless Wednesday? This phrase has been included in the title in order to take part in Daily Blogging Prompts at Geneabloggers]