Market Jew Street

yup, he was a big boke.

Must have been taken before 1968 as there is no Tesco up from the Wimpy Bar. If I remember, that building was Trevails the tailors before the first real supermarket came to Penzance.

The granite building was The Gas Board Office and Showroom; designed c1917 by architect Oliver Caldwell (his brother was James Caldwell - Caldwells Road is named after him); another brilliant and unusual approach to the classic orders, but, hey - who cares about order and design when we can have mediocre characterless buildings?

I think the band is Pendeen silver band.

What a fantabulous shot! Can't believe I haven't seen this one before. No Knees (Peacocks) No Tescos (Poundstretcher) AMAZING to see how it once was, in colour too!

See below for comparison link...

@ HH. Somewhere I have a clearer picture of the chapel. It had railings and I think there were a couple of flower beds as well. It was set back compared to the newer Wimpy complex and flush with the older buildings further down. I think you will find the shop entrances are a much later edition. I also have some pictures of the old gas showroom. Will try to find and scan them in if copyright allows.

I believe this is Pendeen Silver, the uniform fits and the chap in the front with the bow-tie could be Tom Chainey who was conductor in the 1960s which fits this picture.
I was very familiar with the congregational church as I attended the Boys Brigade in the school room there twice a week for several years at about the time this was taken.

See how this looks now: http://picturepenzance.co.uk/photos/showimage.php?i=21951 (Entrance to Wharfside, Peacocks, etc. 4/10/09)

Jenkins were monumental masons.