Friends and Neighbours

"This is the small manufacturing town of Bursley. Famous for its bifurcated trivets."

"Bursley lies on the wide rolling banks of the River Stir."

"Symbolising the spirit of modern England . . . "

" . . . its burghers have nevertheless carefully retained the medieval atmosphere of the town's historical past."

"Who preserves the Elizabethan character of the lovely old high street?" Looking south-east along High Street in Slough, Buckinghamshire from the corner of William Street with Prudential Building to the left and the Old Crown public house on the right.

"Why, the burghers." Facing northward on William Street in Slough, located by Richard Lovejoy.

"But it is with the young burghers of Bursley, if we may call them that, that the future lies." Denis Hoare recognised what was once part of Brentford Gas Works in High Street in Brentford, Middlesex until its demolition in 1988 and using photographs, maps and co-ordinants has found this to be Carville Hall Park, Clayponds Lane looking south towards the river Thames. (RL)

"Theirs is the heritage of honest toil, theirs the stirring voice of the Britain of today." Carville Hall Park, Clayponds Lane looking south towards the river Thames, identfied by Denis, see previous capture. (RL)

At the Working Men's Club, townsfolk gather for the draw that will decide which family will play host to visitors from the Soviet Union.

At home, bus conductor Albert Grimshaw (Arthur Askey) struggles to fix a television aerial to the chimney while his driver Wilf Holmes (Reginald Beckwith) holds the ladder.

With her neighbour Doris Holmes (June Whitfield), Lily Grimshaw (Megs Jenkins) rushes home to tell Albert that their name has been drawn.

Going back to work and finishing their duty, Albert and Wilf return to the garage. St. Leonard's Road in Windsor, Berkshire with the King Edward VII Hospital on Frances Road in the left background.

Off-angle to avoid standing in the middle of the road, this is the view of the hospital entrance today. (SR)

Outside the garage, the Inspector (Richard Walter) tells Albert that the Superintendent wants to see him. Windsor Bus Garage on St. Leonard's Road in Windsor. The garage was closed in 1984 and housing now occupies the site.

Wilf tells Albert that he can see the Superintendent's point about their Russian guests not becoming friends. The footpath outside All Saints church at the corner of The Broadway and Shepperton Road in Laleham, Middlesex.

The hedge remains neatly trimmed in Nick Boorman's comparison.

The pair continue their walk before bumping into Albert's daughter Susan. To the right stands number 1 Shepperton Road, Laleham.

With far too many parked cars for a clear shot, Nick Boorman struggled to take this comparison.

When he comments that she should marry a man with a good, regular job, Susan Grimshaw (Catherine Feller) tells her father that she's going to the coffee bar. Facing Laleham Garage on Shepperton Road in Laleham.

Nick Boorman found changes to the signage and the windows.

At London Airport, a Television Announcer explains to the viewers that the flight carrying a group of Russian Social Workers is about to arrive.

The plane from Moscow lands.

A short distance away, the Television Announcer (Max Robertson) continues that in order to get to know us better, the study group will be staying in the holes of typical working people.

Forgoing would be pop star Buddy Fisher when he chooses fame instead of a relationship, Susan asks Sebastian Green (Danny Ross) if he considers himself a good, steady, reliable chap.

The Russians travel by train from London to their respective destinations. The Down Main Line between West Drayton in Middlesex and Iver, Buckinghamshire on the Great Western Main Line identified by Jonathan Horswell on the Railway Movie Database website.

Wondering where the Russians are, George Wheeler (George A. Cooper) leaves the pub next door to the station. Outside the Railway Hotel on Station Road in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire. The premises were renamed the Firefly before closure in 2012.

Antony Blair took this comparison of the pub's replacement.

Carrying his beer, George walks to the station. Looking towards Bourne End station in Bourne End.

The station is the only point of reference in Antony Blair's view taken 65 years later.

George is called back into the pub as his team needs double top to finish their game of darts. Facing the Railway Hotel on Station Road, Bourne End.

The location of the pub captured by Antony Blair.

Nikita Prević (Peter Illing) and Olga Korenčkova (Tilda Thamar) leave Bursley station. Bourne End station in Buckinghamshire.

Hearing the train arrive, George, Bill and Alfie march towards the station. Looking from Bourne End station forecourt towards buildings on Station Road.

Antony Blair looked towards the road from the station car park.

Introductions are made and hands shaken. Outside Bourne End station on Station Road, Bourne End in Buckinghamshire.

Olga and Nikita are driven to Mr. and Mrs. Grimshaw's house.

The next day, Albert and Wilf take Olga and Nikita on a tour of Bursley, pointing out the shopping centre of the town. Richard Lovejoy advises that Thomas H. Collison were at number 25 William Street in Slough, Buckinghamshire.

All four look back when a Teddy Boy barges between them. 21 to 23 William Street, Slough with the Market entrance to the centre identified by Richard Lovejoy.

When Wilf explains that they live in a free country, Albert adds that's all on account of the Magna Carta. Outside numbers 17 to 21 William Street located by Richard Lovejoy.

Continuing to tell their guests that all men are equal, Albert and Wilf raise their hats when a limousine drives by. Richard Lovejoy explains that this is William Street, facing number 15.

Sir Harry Sherlock acknowledges the men as he passes. William Street in Slough, Buckinghamshire identified by Richard Lovejoy. The building to the left is one of the toilet blocks that stood conveniently in front of the library.

The car carrying the boss of Bursley & District Transport disappears from sight as Albert replies to Olga's question about equality by answering that they raised their hats because they admire his blooming cheek. Richard Lovejoy's research found that Denneys traded from number 8 William Street.

Albert continues "By skulduggery and connivance and plain cunning, he rose from office boy to be chairman of the local bus company in fifteen years flat." Outside the premises of F. C. Ashton, florist, at 13 William Street discovered by Richard Lovejoy.

Wilf and Albert point to a zebra crossing where, once they step into the road, traffic automatically stops. Richard Lovejoy identifies the street outside numbers 7 to 9 William Street.

Albert shouts at the driver of a van that nearly runs him down! The now unrecognisable William Street, Slough in Buckinghamshire located by Richard Lovejoy.

The group continue their Sunday walk on the other side of the street. A wide street indeed as Richard Lovejoy found this to be High Street in Shepperton, Middlesex.

After Wilf comments that they may seem a bit funny to foreigners at first sight, Albert concludes "Give me good old Britain every time". High Street, Shepperton advises Richard Lovejoy who adds that Violet Peters, hairdresser, traded at number 19.

Nick Boorman retraces the actors' steps.

Olga spots tinned Russian salmon in the window of a grocers. Outside number 23 High Street in Shepperton identified by Richard Lovejoy who adds "further clues to the location are the square plastered pillars between the shops, which remain, and, between numbers 21 and 23, a distinctive square down pipe that also exists to this day.

The square down pipe survives, as Nick Boorman's view shows.

Discovering that the Sunday Shopping Act forbids the sale of non-perishable items, Albert and Wilf take the puzzled Nikita and Olga to the pub . . . where time is called just after they enter. Nick Boorman advises that the pub was originally called the the Railway Arms Hotel and stood at the crossroads of the Laleham Road and Old Charlton Road in Shepperton, Middlesex. Renaming to the Crossroads took place before the premises were demolished and replaced by flats.

Nick provides this comparison of the corner.

The sunny afternoon is completed by watching a game of cricket where Mr. Dobson the Vicar is introduced to the Russians. In the distance Nick Boorman spotted the tower of St. Mary Magdalene church on Squire's Bridge Road, Littleton, right next to Shepperton Studios.

At the end of their visit, Olga and Nikita are taken back to the station. Jonathan Horswell explains that this is a stock shot of a Southern Railway ‘Lord Nelson’ simmering at London Victoria station in SE1.

The Guard blows his whistle and waves his green flag. Hayes & Harlington station in Middlesex identified on the Railway Movie Database

Goodbyes are exchanged as the engine's whistle sounds before the train departs. Looking south-west on the Up platform at Bourne End station at Bourne End in Buckinghamshire.