Running from Howard
Street to Market Place, this row was known as "Half‑Moon Row"
or "King's Head Row", from the Public Houses at the opposite ends.*1
In 1995 nearly half of
this old row is still walkable from the Market Place. The east entrance lies to
the left (south side) of no. 16 Market Place, which at present is the Nationl
Provincial Building Society's office. On the south east corner of the row is
the Market Tavern, previously called "Growler's"
There were many old
houses, some with small windows less than 18 inches square. Some
cottages in the row are depicted on the old photo., beside an old warehouse,
but I am unable to say whether these were the ones still standing after the
war. The shop at the N.E. corner was the "Half -Moon Tavern", known
as "The Edinburgh" after losing
its licence, when it had a notice
in the window saying‑ "Free Concert Every Evening".*2 This
would have been the N&P office as above. The King's Head Pub. was no. 16
Howard Street, situated at the South-west corner, upon which part of the Police
Station now is. I understand that they have a social club and their own bar
there, so perhaps they should call it by the name of the once famous pub.
The 1936 survey said‑
"8 or 9 houses of moderate condition, and one house in a back court
crowded." There remained one occupant here in 1952 on the north side,
Edward Netley, but the row was empty in 1955.
*1 Palmer
*2 Johnson