CITIES, towns, and villages are living things. They do not stand still and stagnate. They evolve and adapt to new technologies, trends, times, and tribes.

Over the centuries, much is gained, and much is lost. Yet there always remain clues to what once was in the form of intriguing place names, familiar landmarks, a chance conversation, and, of course, old photographs.

Photographers from previous generations had the odds stacked against them greatly compared with the convenience and ease that technology affords modern snappers.

Those lensmen and women of old may not have bottled lightning or captured moonbeams, but thanks to their diligence and skill, they were responsible for an even higher form of magic - bringing the past to life for future generations!

It can be hard to imagine that the black and white faces frozen in time and the buildings that are no more were once as real as the sky above your head.

Horse and cart
There’s something softly haunting and achingly romantic about an old horse and cart making its way around the houses. Just check out the dandy in his chariot. Like a suited and booted Spartacus, he certainly cuts a dashing figure as he prowls the borough delivering the milk for the co-op. (Abergavenny Chronicle )
Hereford Road School
Here’s one for all you former Hereford Road School pupils out there. It was taken in 1960 by Ian Dewar with his own box brownie camera when he was still a pupil. Recognise anyone? Local historian George Beale who writes regular features for the Chron is situated in the front row on the extreme right and it’s safe to say he hasn’t changed at all. (George Beale )
Flannel Street
Before the demolition of a lot of old Abergavenny in the 1950s and 60s, the town had a network of ramshackle streets that boasted a beaten-up charm all of their own. Here’s one of them - Flannel Street! (Albert Lyons )

When the camera clicked, and the flash illuminated the moment like an angel of alchemy, the future was unwritten, and the present never believed it would one day become the past.

But all things fade, even photographs; thankfully, they can be preserved for posterity.

Yet books go out of print, newspapers get discarded, and the memory hole of the internet devours everything.

Old pictures deserve better than to be hoarded by museums or stored in drawers, gathering dust.

They can speak a thousand words, suggest the old cliché, and those words deserve an audience!

Old Abergavenny
Before we communicated solely via social media, street parties were once all the rage. As you can see from this pic, it only takes one person to push the envelope and get the party started. Apparently, some hours and a few gins later, it was absolute mayhem in this little corner of Abergavenny. Do you recognise the street? (Albert Lyons )
Old Abergavenny
Traitor’s Lane or Market Street as it’s sometimes known, hasn’t changed that much throughout the years, but isn’t red a fetching colour for this historic Abergavenny thoroughfare? (Udo Schultz )

So, over a series of articles in the coming months, the Chronicle will be presenting you with picture specials from bygone days.

If you've got any old photos you'd like to see featured, then visit our Nevill Street office or, if it's easier, pop them in an email and send them to [email protected]

Abergavenny Castle
Abergavenny Castle! Once the site of such betrayal and murderous infamy, and now simply a nice spot to wonder and ponder why they don’t build things properly anymore. It would be nice to still play a spot of tennis there, and up until the 1960s you could. (Udo Schultz )
Old Guns
As you can plainly see. It’s a gun! But what on earth is it doing in the Fairfield? Well, in 1952 it was brought in especially to mark “The joyous occasion” of the Queen’s Coronation. At the designated time it provided a reverberating salute to the merry peals of bells from St. Mary’s. (Abergavenny Chronicle )
Buses
It’s said by the wise ones who live in hill caves and shun the sun that if you’ve never taken a ride on a double decker then you’ve never lived. There may be some truth in that, and Abergavenny Bus Station was once full of the bright red legends that could take you to places angels fear to tread. (Udo Schultz )