What better way to end the year than with this fine old picture postcard of Shrogg's Park in Halifax. I had assumed that the two prominent spires in the background were the Town Hall and Square Church, but now I am not too sure.
In order to confirm the identity of the spires, I took a walk the other day through Shroggs Park and tried to discover the location of the original photograph, and, more importantly, the line of sight. The layout of the park has changed and the circular pond appears to have long gone, and, as always, the trees now crowd-out the scene. The best I could come up with was the photograph below, but the Town Hall and Square Church are not at all visible; although you can just make out the spire of All Soul's Church on the horizon. That would be a more appropriate landmark, as both the park and All Soul's Church were built by Colonel Edward Ackroyd.
My postcard was sent in 1904, back in the days when addresses were short and to the point. It is from Addie to Mary Drake, and is an early twentieth century equivalent to those Facebook messages you get every time it is someone's birthday.
"Dear Mary, Wishing you many happy returns of the day, if not too late, with love to all, Addie"
One is forced to ask: "How many Facebook birthday greetings will be remembered, recorded and reprinted 115 years after the were sent?"
My answer is, "Not any!" All the Twitters, Instagrams, and E-cards, will never replace a decent postcard note complete with the slash of an proper ink pen. I wish you and yours, Alan, all the best joy and love for the New Year. Thanks you again for your own marvelous blog and your many weekends curating Sepia Saturday. I continue to be inspired by your eclectic thematic choices, and am rewarded by reading the wonderful stories our fellow bloggers produce.
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