Photographs taken in Falmouth and surrounding areas - from around 1964-1976 by my grandfather, Harry Hocking...
** There are a lot of photos in this blog. They may take a moment to download **
Harry Hocking, my Grandfather ("Pap") sadly passed away in 2015 at the age of 86. My Grandmother ("Nan"), Joan left us several years prior. They were both much loved by all the family and have been greatly missed.
Pap did though, leave me a box of memories - in the form of slides he took in the 1960s-70s! Most of which were taken in Falmouth and surrounding areas.
This last week, I've felt a little jaded from "over-doing" photography during lockdown. So, instead of a "Lockdown Photography: Week 5" blog - I give you these old photos of the Falmouth area taken by my Pap.
I remember Pap having a video camera. He loved to film holidays, family events - and often the floor as he walked - after forgetting to switch it off. Yes, I recall watching videos of what seems like hours of pavement when he showed us what he'd recorded. But I didn't realise that he previously took still photos...
The slide conversion
With being furloughed due to the COVID-19 virus, I've finally had time to do something with the slides I've had on top of my wardrobe for the last 5 years!
I bought some macro extension tubes and a lightbox. The lightbox was rubbish, so I used my phone by downloading an app. Unfortunately, the phone's pixels could be clearly seen through the slide. So, I placed a piece of white paper over my phone to diffuse the pixels. This did introduce a mottled effect from inconsistency in the paper - but it was the lesser of two evils.
I know you'll be more interested in seeing the photos from 50 years ago than reading my ramblings, so here they are...
Helford
It turns out that my family used to love visiting Helford Beach (outside the Ferryboat Inn). Apparently then, you could drive down and park next to the beach. I think I actually remember being able to park there when I passed my test in '98...
Helford Beach | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Helford Beach | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Doug (Great, Great Uncle) & Eileen Tregidgo (Great, Great Auntie)
"My Godparents. They ran the grocery shop in Hendra, Truro. When I was growing up, they lived just up the road in Trefusis Road, Falmouth"
Helford Beach | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Robert Hocking (Dad), Julie Bryant (my Auntie, nee Hocking, yellow dress) & their cousins
Helford Beach | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Helford Beach | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Helford Beach | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Helford Beach | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Robert Hocking (Dad)
Helford Beach | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
"An arty one from my Pap here! -or maybe it just faded with age"
Miscellaneous Falmouth
Falmouth Docks from Castle Drive | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
"I've shot from here a few times myself. The picture shows three cranes next to the drydock. Now, I believe there's only one. You might remember a few years ago, a crane on the right fell over?"
Falmouth Docks from Castle Drive | 2017 | by Andrew Hocking
"For comparison, here's a shot I took from the same spot in 2017 - 50 years after Pap's photo!"
"Little Dennis" Castle, Pendennis Point, Falmouth | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Tresillian Road, Falmouth | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
"I'm not sure what's going on here - and neither does the chap on the truck by the looks of it. I love this photo as it leaves the viewer wondering. Well done Pap!"
Princess Pavillions, Falmouth | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Kimberly Park, Falmouth | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Overlooking the River Fal
Overlooking the River Fal from Basset St | Circa 1967 | by unknown, possibly Joan Hocking
"Nanny Hocking" (Great Grandmother), Harry Hocking (Pap), Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking) & Robert Hocking (Dad)
"I'm not sure what kind of glasses Dad is wearing in this picture!"
River Fal from Greenbank Pier (I think) | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
River Fal from Prince of Wales Pier (I think) | Circa 1967 | by unknown, possibly Joan Hocking
Harry Hocking (Pap) & Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking)
River Fal from Basset St | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
12 Beacon Road, Falmouth
12 Beacon road was Harry & Joan's second house, following a move from Basset Street (where Dad was born). Pap proudly told me how he did it up and added value to the house. I wonder who lives there now?...
12 Beacon Road, Falmouth | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking) & Robert Hocking (Dad)
"Julie remembers her Tiny Tears and Chatty Cathy walking talking dolls"
12 Beacon Road, Falmouth | Circa 1964 | by Harry Hocking
Robert Hocking (Dad)
12 Beacon Road, Falmouth | Circa 1964 | by unknown, possibly Joan Hocking
Harry Hocking (Pap), Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking) & Robert Hocking (Dad)
Near Beacon Road, Falmouth | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking)
12 Beacon Road, Falmouth | Circa 1964 | by Harry Hocking
Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking)
12 Beacon Road, Falmouth | Circa 1964 | by Harry Hocking
Joan Hocking (Nan), Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking), May Dowrick (Great Grandmother) & Robert Hocking (Dad)
43 Mongleath Road, Falmouth
Harry & Joan's third house was 43 Mongleath Road. This is the house I remember visiting as kid. I've got some good memories from there...
43 Mongleath Road, Falmouth | Circa 1968 | by Harry Hocking
May Dewrick (I think! Great Grandmother) & Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking)
From 43 Mongleath Road, Falmouth | Circa 1968 | by Harry Hocking
"I've no idea how Pap got so high up to take this - I'm pretty sure he didn't have a drone!"
From 43 Mongleath Road, Falmouth | Circa 1976 | by Harry Hocking
"Funnily enough, this Cortina was later sold to my friend, Lee Fenner's, parents in the early 80's long before we knew each other!"
43 Mongleath Road, Falmouth | Circa 1976 | by Harry Hocking
Robert Hocking
"Dad with his 2nd car - a 1970 Ford Cortina. The less said about his first car the better apparently! (a banger!)"
Falmouth Hotel
Falmouth Hotel | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking), Joan Hocking (Nan) & Robert Hocking (Dad)
"This looks to me like the front of hotel. There's not a pool there now though"
Falmouth Hotel | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Robert Hocking (Dad)
Falmouth Hotel | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking)
Swanpool, Falmouth
Swanpool Lake | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Robert Hocking (Dad) & Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking)
"The banks of the lake look a lot more sparse than they are now. On the opposite side of the lake a new development is currently being built by Linden Homes."
Swanpool Lake | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Robert Hocking (Dad) & his cousin, Debbie
Swanpool Lake | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking)
Stithians Dam
Stithians Dam | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Robert Hocking (Dad) & Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking)
From Wikipedia ~ "Work on the dam began on 19 July 1962, however work stopped shortly after due to excavations which revealed the site was over a large area of soft kaolinised granite, which would require expensive foundations. A new design was drawn up for the dam, which was the current arched design. The dam was opened on 13 October 1967 by Sir John Carew Pole, whilst the Bishop of Truro, Dr Maurice Key blessed the reservoir. By the opening in 1967 the valley behind the dam was completely flooded, 274 acres of farmland and three country houses were submerged. Two causeways were built to carry sections of roads that were flooded, one at the southern end and the other in the north western corner near the Golden Lion Inn."
Stithians Dam | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Robert Hocking (Dad) & Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking)
Stithians Reservoir? | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
"I have a feeling this could be the road to the opposite end of the reservoir to Stithians Dam. Correct me if I'm wrong!"
Penryn Quay
Penryn Quay | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking) & Robert Hocking (Dad)
"The first things that stand out is that there is no pontoon and fewer wrecks, I mean boats! Before lockdown I don't recall ever shooting from from the quay. However since, I taken several photos as it's on my doorstep!"
Penryn Quay | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking) & Robert Hocking (Dad)
Penryn Quay | 2020 | by Andrew Hocking
"For comparison, here are some photos I've taken from Penryn Quay over the last few weeks"
Helston boating lake
Helston Boating Lake | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Helston Boating Lake | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Julie Bryant (Auntie, nee Hocking), Debbie (their cousin) & Robert Hocking (Dad)
Helston Boating Lake | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Praa Sands, Nr Helston
Praa Sands | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Praa Sands | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Praa Sands | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Miscellaneous photos
Location unknown | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
"I don't know where this is, but I like the picture. I think I can make out Nan (Joan Hocking), Uncle Doug (Tregidgo) and Dad (Robert Hocking)"
Somewhere on Bodmin Moor | Circa 1967 | by Harry Hocking
Robert Hocking (Dad), Joan Hocking (Nan), Doug Tregidgo & Eileen Tregidgo
About Harry & Joan
Harry was a painter & decorator for the council. By all accounts, back then it was a really good job with good benefits.
In his youth, Harry loved motorbikes. So much so that he'd ride from Falmouth to watch the Isle of Man races. When motorbikes were no longer an option with family life, this turned into a love of cars. In his later years he owned a Mercedes C-Class, which was his pride & joy.
Joan was housewife and did a great job in looking after the bills. Such that they could afford regular holidays and were able to treat their grandchildren to days out. Joan also worked as a dinner lady - at Falmouth School I believe.
Joan was a natural hostess and loved to entertain people for meals and parties.
Harry & Joan cleaned the Probation office near Kimberly park for a number of years to supplement Harry's pension (and probably to keep busy!)
Memories
While preparing this article, I asked my family to share their memories of Pap. Here's what I got back...
Louisa Hocking (Harry's granddaughter, my sister):
"Pap was completely attached to his video recorder and would record you two playing with kites or something for like an hour. Interspersed with sections of videoing the grass when he forgot to turn it off."
Julie Bryant (Harry's daughter, my auntie):
"Out for a walk one Sunday morning with Dad, whilst mum cooked dinner...she had a fit when she saw this photo!"
Sabrina Bryant (Harry's granddaughter, my cousin):
"I remember Pap for (*going to*) carboots, whiskey, cars, his garage, the classic whiskey bottle with the screw (*a puzzle that had the family baffled!*)... holidays he never wanted to go on (*but enjoyed*). I miss them so much"
Robert Hocking (Harry's Son, my Dad):
At Longleat - "Dad wouldn't take his car through the monkey enclosure because it had a vinyl roof"
Me:
I have so many good memories of spending time with my Nan & Pap, here are just a few!...
Caravan holidays with my brother - and often also playing with Dan & Ollie Miller, who's grandparents, Clary & Eillen Miller, were good friends with Nan & Pap.
Helping Pap to build a rockery in their garden at 10 Longfield - to replace a large fir tree that was cut down.
Christmas family parties that my Nan and her sister, Pauline Watt, would put on for our extended family at Falmouth bowling club.
Going to Gyllyngvase Beach straight from school in the summer (a lot).
Nan's amazing cooking! Especially roast dinners, stews, pasties, milkshakes - you never left their house hungry!
Pap taught me to drive in my 1981 mini. I only had a handful of professional lessons. Passing my test was largely thanks to my Pap!
Their sayings:
Pap - "All over like a horse race!" - referring to Christmas, every year!
Pap - "Boyjer!" - usually a dog
Pap - "Bounder" - again, usually a dog!
Nan - "Snakes & Ladders" - she meant Ships & Castles swimming pool!
Special thanks
For help with filling in the blanks, thanks to Robert Hocking, Julie Bryant, Samantha Jacques, Louisa Hocking & Sabrina Bryant.
I hope you enjoyed this blog. Whether you knew Harry & Joan, or just recognise the places, I hope it brought back some good memories! Please feel free to share them with me by contacting me here or commenting on my social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).
Until next time, stay safe :)
Did you like this? Go on... give it a share!...
#Falmouth #Cornwall #Penryn #Swanpool #BeaconRoad #MongleathRoad #OldCornwall #OldFalmouth #1970sFalmouth #1960sFalmouth #HelstonBoatingLake #Helston #ArchivePhotos #OldPhotos #OldSlides #Stithians #FalmouthHotel #Helford #Penryn
**Photos available to buy - contact me or visit my Pixieset site.
Greeting Cards are now available in my online shop.
Also, you can get my photos printed on stuff like canvases, mugs, clothing, phone cases, notebooks and more at my Redbubble Shop
**All images and text are copyright. Please contact me if you wish to use anything from this blog**
Comments