Plymouth Town Centre 1965 1960s

An interesting bit of 8mm home cine footage showing Plymouth Town Centre in 1965. This features the shopping area and the civic centre tower at this time. It is fascinating the way the buildings and people go together with such confidence in the space. I guess you have to believe in the future for all this to look so natural.

[lenfowler]

What a trip down memory lane. I was sent to Lambspark School in Plympton. My mother and Aunt and Uncle used to take me with them shopping in Plymouth. The film footage took me back to the point where I can imagine walking around the town centre. Mum used to love the market, and if the time co-incided with the fish and chip shop opening times in Brixton, then that was a rare treat on the way home on a wednesday afternoon. My school chum's (Melvyn) mum ran the Sentry Box shop in Brixton.

My uncle, however used to indulge me in what I now perceive as his passion for what was my Hornby trainset . A trip to Lawsons next to the Western Morning News office was guaranteed ! Often leaving with something to add to the layout. My Aunt, however, could spend a whole day in Dingles. We often ate in the top floor restaurant. Ivor Dewdney tiny pastie shops sold the best ever pasties (Mum knew Ivy - and there was an eye opening revelation over the pasties).
Buses from Bigbury were one an hour - running into Bretonside bus station. The bus conductor would in the summertime treat the youngsters on a hot day to a Mivvi during the stop in Modbury.
I can recall many of the shops in the film. However, I have great difficulty these days remembering what I had for dinner a day ago ! Such is the effect of getting old !

[terencericketts]

Thank you for the video, I joined the Royal Navy in 1965 and coming from Birmingham to Plymouth I couldn't believe how lovely Plymouth is ..I still visit Plymouth when I'm back in England, will be back in November.

[stephenwilliams]

How wonderful to watch Plymouth town centre as it was. Clean, busy with shoppers, a wide variety of retailers and streets with cars. Today it has become an eyesore. Thank you for showing how time and bad planning has destroyed the heart of this city.

[daydays]

So windswept and full of cars, lorries. Car centric 're development' after the war..I lived in Plymouth ( North Hill) and was 18 in 1965. Nice to have these images....

[allanosborne]

This seems to be a much better Plymouth than the one we visit these days. Easier to park, easier to move around on foot.

[xfire]

59 years ago and a far far better world .

[kindwarf]

Is that clock still there, at Samuel's jewellers New George St.ik

[guineapigsue]

I preferred it this way, before it was pedestrianised ❤

[Rosiehomer]

That's when you went into Plymouth for the day if you lived out on the estates