Windmill tower still a Dunstable landmark

With Ashton Middle School soon to close, there’s an extra pang of nostalgia added to this 1951 photo of a hurdle race in progress on Dunstable Grammar School’s old sports field in West Parade.
Dunstable Grammar School hurdle raceDunstable Grammar School hurdle race
Dunstable Grammar School hurdle race

The middle school, of course, took over the grammar school’s buildings in High Street North during a previous upheaval of Dunstable’s education system.

The colour photo of almost the same view, taken earlier this year, illustrates even more the changing face of Dunstable.

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Ashton St Peter’s Lower School, seen on the right, moved on to part of the sports field in 2007, having sold its buildings in Church Street to make way for the Aldi supermarket.

Dunstable Grammar School fieldDunstable Grammar School field
Dunstable Grammar School field

In the background can now be seen the green roof of the Roman Catholic Church, built in 1964.

The tower of the old windmill, headquarters of Dunstable Sea Cadets, still remains as a focal point.

The teacher seen in the hurdle race photo is Mr Speke, who became a familiar sight in town as he cycled to the school’s science labs each morning with his schoolmaster’s gown billowing behind him.

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> These pictures are included in a book of Yesteryear photos, titled Dunstable Through Time, which is available from the author, John Buckledee, at 69 Derwent Drive, Dunstable, LU6 3PB,.

The price is £17, which also includes postage and packing

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