OF ALL THE the old photographs that still exist of Bourne in past times, this one more than any other illustrates the dramatic change the motor car has made to the street scene.

In 1904, when this picture was taken, the Market Place was completely deserted, devoid of any traffic whatsoever. The only sign of life is a lone pedestrian standing in the middle of the road, a foolhardy thing to do today, curious at the presence of the photographer who was probably William Redshaw, and most likely employed as the town's street sweeper because an unattended push cart can be seen next to the gas lamp on the left.

The shops opposite are those of (left to right) Thomas Measures, grocer and draper, now Galaxy Travel, William Dales Todd, tailor and draper, who was in business there for 40 years and whose premises are now occupied by the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society, and next door, Oates and Musson, drapers and removals, now the HSBC bank, all with the canvas blinds or awnings to protect their window displays from the sun. The Angel Hotel is unchanged as is the building occupied by the Stamford, Spalding and Boston Banking Company Limited, now Barclays Bank, but the two cottages on the right were demolished in 1967 to make way for the present Woolworths store.

The scene is one of peace and tranquillity compared to these days of a congested town centre, road works and traffic jams that make our lives such a misery when behind the wheel.