Of barbers, builders and a little book…

Before there were Whatsapp group chats, before Facebook communities, how did we ever find out anything about Bangor?

Of course, there was chat – real chat – amongst friends and family – where to buy your coal or a car. Of course, there was our local paper, the Spectator. And of course, there was the tome of the Yellow Pages, but you only got a copy if you had a telephone line connected to your home.

However, fifty-five years ago, there was another publication.

The final edition of the Bangor Street Directory was published in 1970 by the Spectator and it’s become a valuable guide for historians, family history seekers and those of us who have a vague recollection of what might have been in a particular spot and who need something to settle the argument.

Incredibly, it listed who lived at nearly every address in the town – and then cross-referenced the names with the addresses. It detailed all the shops and businesses, churches, youth and sporting clubs, elected representatives, men’s and women’s organisations…it had everything!

I love it.

But I needed someone to talk about it….and who better than the former estate agent and excellent raconteur Denis Neill. His family business has been in Bangor for decades and so he has an accomplished insight into how things were, as well as an amazing memory. He talks about the friends he knew, how parts of our city got their names and an incredible discovery which benefitted a local church.

Join for this brief flick though the pages of the Bangor Street Directory.

Denis Neill in his office. A Sinclair Road sign. The Miloy building at Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church and various pages from the last edition of the Bangor Street Directory.

Little Bangor Stories is now available on Amazon Music UK and YouTube! Just search for us!

Music credit - Shane Ivers Silvermansound.com