18 amazing photos showing what Portsmouth looked like 70 years ago
Steve Deeks
·3-min read
'Miss Southsea Contest'. Beauty contests were extremely popular in the 1950's and 1960's, this one was took part on South Parade Pier. The News 957-5 (Photo: The News archive)
Judging by the photos in today’s gallery, the pace of life was certainly slower but you can still see how much has changed over the years.
This collection, from The News’ archives, includes a beauty contest at the seafront, HMS Victorious leaving Portsmouth with her new flight deck, and exceptional young cadets at HMS Vernon.
We would love to hear memories of growing up in Portsmouth during that time – you can join the conversation on our new Portsmouth Retro Facebook group.
HMS Victorious leaves Portsmouth Harbour some time after 1950, as she has the angled flight deck that was fitted between 1950 and 1958. (Photo: The News archive)
Bob Davis's dad who was a green grocer and Bob looking proud, taken on the corner of Portsmouth Road outside what was then Bennetts Paper shop, the horses name was Joey. Dad looked very smart with a white shirt and tie, with his money bag, I was eight which means this photograph was taken in 1950 says Bob. (Photo: The News archive)
Light Pacific at Cosham. Passing Cosham signal box in 1950 we see a West Country/Battle of Britain class locomotive at the head of a train from the west. (Photo: The News archive)
Fareham Firemen in the 1950's at West Street station (centre of town) in front of their appliances.Left: Leyland wheeled pump escapeRight: Austin towing vehicleFiremen in photo are:Back: G O'Callanhan2nd Back: J Birchell, N Smith2nd row: E Hixman, N Hall, E Cathery, Wren, S Jenkins, B Forder, R Flake, B Mortar, B Edney, L AbbsFront row: J Male, H Johnson, J Frost, H Farley, P Dugan, H Stockwell.
HMS Triumph leaving Portsmouth Harbour after a refit in 1950. The News PP5262 (Photo: The News archive)
Workers prepare to drill for oil in Hampshire on Portsdown Hill, circa 1950: Photo by Keystone/Getty Images
The Camber, Old Portsmouth, in the early 1950s (Photo: Images from our local area 70 years ago)
Church Street and Stamshaw Schoolsin 1950. Schools team also did the double in 1950. Church Street (in white shirts) ans Stamshaw preparing to play a cup match at Fratton Park.
London Road, North End circa 1950. The epitome of an English high street with dozens of individual shops. (Photo: The News archive)
A view over Old Portsmouth with the power station taking centre stage. (Photo: The News archive)
A view up the creek at Emsworth looking towards Queen Street circa 1950. (Photo: The News archive)
Boys of the future Navy at HMS Vernon in 1950 . All were around 10-15 years old. (Photo: The News archive)
Hayling Island ferry in the 1950's. (Photo: The News archive)
The manager of World Stores in Fratton Road about 1950. (Photo: The News archive)
Lumps Fort looking like a fort. This is a gun emplacement in Lumps Fort but the crenellated wall was built in 1950. (Photo: The News archive)
A contestant on the catwalk. Southsea girls entered the Marilyn Monroe competition alongside South Parade Pier in a summer of the late 1950's. With the Savoy ballroom in the background. (Photo: The News archive)
Lumps Fort Southsea. 1950's view of the rose garden and surrounds. (Photo: The News archive)
'Miss Southsea Contest'. Beauty contests were extremely popular in the 1950's and 1960's, this one was took part on South Parade Pier. The News 957-5 (Photo: The News archive)
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