pre ww1 guildford

[adge654]

Would anybody have any knowledge of the Mill Mead area of Guildford,  my father was in born in 1909 at 
    9 Wiblins Buildings, Mill Mead, Guildford, U.D.
I realise that many buildings in the area have succumbed to the two world wars but I have tried to find either photo's or plans of that area prior to ww1, to no avail.
 
My granddaughter is at Surrey University, Guildford and often goes down to Mill Mead by the river and she would also like to get a sense of where her Great Grandfather would have lived.

My G/Grandfather  although on my fathers birth certificate is marked as occupation, "scaffolder" later worked for the company-  'Dennis Brothers Ltd' in Guildford and I have tried to obtain information from the Company but they also no longer exist, they are now a separate firm under the name of  'Dennis Motors' and say they cannot help me.

Would be very greatfull for any help in expanding my research,

Alan

[jann]

Hi Alan,

Go to the Google Book site.  Type in Dennis Brothers Ltd on the search line and you will get some hits.

Don't know if you will get what you're looking for, but you will be able to find out some things about the company.


Jann

[baggygenes]

http://www.dennissociety.org.uk/history.html   is a good site about Dennis's

Their original building is now Whetherspoons pub

a lot of Millmead has gone from those days - the council buildings and Yvonne Arnold Theatre now take up quite a bit of what was there

[Vicwinann]

Hello,
If you can get hold of a copy of "Memory Lane Guildford and District" by David Rose, published in 2000 by Breedon Books there are a few old photos of Millmead in it. I bought my copy in Guildford but it is probably now out of print so you might need to look at online bookshop sites.

Also by David Rose and by the same publshers is "Guildford, our town" a very readable illustrated history which has a couple of mentions of Millmead. Some of the cottages there belonged to the Workhouse and the whole area was prone to flooding. I haven't visited for a while but Guildford Museum is worth a visit and they also sell books and pamphlets.
Guildford Museum  Castle Arch Guildford SurreyGU1 3SX
heritageservices@guildford.gov.uk
My father's antecedants were china retailers in Guildford, hence my interest.
Vicwinann

[barryd]

I one vehicle I remember most of all the vehicles they produced was the Dennis Fire Engine.

[Tonykelly]

I have just come across this old post.   If information is still needed it might be worth contacting Guildford Institute  www.guildford-institute.org.uk/library/

They have an extensive collection of old photographs of Guildford and have some of Mill Mead in late 19thC and early 20thC,    That will give you a feel for the area even if they don't include the building you are looking for

Tony Kelly