Page 22 - Oundle Life May 2022

However, on this occasion the original structure is clearly a far older 17th Century building onto which the Georgian elevation must surely have been applied as part of a ‘150-years younger in 150 days’ makeover mission to keep up with the latest trends. – just look along the sides to spot the much older stone mullioned windows and gabled roofs.
Sometimes however, all IS as it first appears, and the visible date applied to a building
is corroborated by other evidence be it documentary or part of the building form. Take the old Post Office in New Street. It carries a date of 1903 high up on the dormer gables in a font that was very much of its time. Couple that with a distinct lack of weathering to the carved stone window elements at ground and first floor, and the way this building abuts its neighbours, and we can be reasonably confident that 1903 was indeed its date of origin.
Many more examples exist. Take a wander yourself and remember to ‘look up’ – but only while stationery!
Joe Croser, first studied architecture in Oxford, and later completed postgrad research into historic buildings in Cambridge. Today he leads Oundle Architecture with a particular
focus on residential design and historic building conservation and refurbishment. www.oundlearchitecture.com
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