Location: Allendale Square

The Square marks the ancient village green, though some buildings (Post Office, Tea Rooms, Allen House) have been built in the centre of it in intervening centuries. The ‘market place’ was traditionally known as that part of the square in front of the King’s Head and Golden Lion.

Allendale Square - Circa 1915

The Edgar family – their father Herbert ran a grocery at Victoria House, Allendale. Standing: William (1897-1958), Jenny (Edith Jane, 1903-77), Lancelot (1893-1951), Sylvia (1900-36), Percy (1895-1951). Front: Abraham (1906-73), Herbert (1904-46), Laura (1909-1987) , Robert (1899-1960).

Allendale Square - Circa 1925

Participants in an Allendale pageant massing in the Square before moving off towards Ashleigh House in Thornley Gate. Allen House in the background.

Allendale Square - 7 August 1924

Local Scouts and Brownies massing with other participants in Allendale Square, ahead of walking the mile to Thornley Gate to participate in an Ashleigh House pageant.

Allendale Square - Circa 1910

Forster’s Temperance Hotel, Allendale – this was later to become the Dale Hotel. To its right a shop that was the site of Allendale Post Office, under William Fairlamb, prior to 1900 when it moved across the Square to the present ‘Tea Rooms’ building.

Allendale Square - Circa 1905

The Smithy in the market square whilst Henry Dixon was blacksmith. In 2020, the site of the Forge art/gift shop. Allendale Town had at least two smithies at this time; Abe Bell had his blacksmith’s shop on Leadgate. A third – under the Martins – was located at Thornley Gate. By mid-20th century, Basil Fairlamb … read more

Allendale Square - Circa 1963

Allendale village centre in the 1960s, viewed from the ‘Island’/’Bullring’. Note the scales stood at the doorway of the Post Office – at that time run by Billy and Nancy Fairlamb.

Allendale Square - Circa 1950

Lancie Bell (1882-1955) carrying a burning barrel of tar in the New Year’s Eve procession to the bonfire.  Lancie (Lancelot) is famed for lighting a small, covered barrel during the New Year’s Eves of the Second World War.  Thus keeping the tradition of the NYE fire alive whilst adhering to blackout restrictions.  He is pictured … read more

Allendale Square - Circa 1955

New Year’s Eve group stood in front of the old Allendale fire engine, behind the Golden Lion. Left to right:  Tommy Shield and Joseph Bell, both firemen, unknown, Clifford Fairlamb, Basil Fairlamb (in white), June (née Simpson) Walker, five unknown, Leslie Coulson, Beth Shield, unknown.  

Allendale Square - Circa 1959

Dorothy Lancaster leading a ride. At that time her riding school operated out of the King’s Head stables; it moved to Pods Bank in Thornley Gate in the early 1960s. The Allendale Co-op Drapery opened in 1937 – formerly the site of the Fosters’ house ‘West View’. The garage behind was used for storing vehicles. Parked … read more

Allendale Square - Circa 1895

Postcard showing Matthew Stephenson’s grocery store, on the corner of Allendale Square and Shield St. The Heatherlea hotel building was subsequently built on this site. On the corner is the entrance to the bank.

Allendale Square - Circa 1950

Tar barrel procession – Lancie Bell (1882-1955).  Lancie (Lancelot) is famed for lighting a small (covered) barrel during the New Year’s Eves of the Second World War.  Thus keeping the tradition of the NYE fire alive whilst adhering to blackout restrictions.  He is pictured here post-war.

Allendale Square - Circa 1908

This group were photographed at the back of the Rose and Crown Inn on Arnison Terrace. Third from right at back is Lancelot Edgar (1893-1951). On the extreme left is Lancelot Bell (1882-1955), Rita’s father.

Allendale Square - July 1997

Commemorative plaque on the exterior side wall of what was the Dale Hotel.  It was reset in its original position in a rededication ceremony by Mrs Evelyn Charlton in 2021.

Allendale Square - Circa 1905

Allendale market place, Kenilworth (to the right of today’s Forge art shop) is the double-storey building behind. The low farm buildings to the rear-right were pulled down in the 1930s and a pair of semi-detached red-roofed houses (Ingleby and Highbury) built in their place.