Then and Now

Take a look at some of the ways that landscapes have changed since Mary took her photos. Use the arrows on the slider to see Mary's images and recent equivalents. Scroll down the page or click on the locations to see more. 

Forest Farm
Morocco
Taff Gorge
Cardiff Bay
Shetland
Cosmeston
France

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Forest Farm and Glamorganshire Canal Nature Reserve 

Mary followed the changing landscape of Forest Farm throughout the time she was in South Wales - and there were some particularly big changes. The M4 and Longwood Drive was built which needed some of the Glamorganshire canal to be removed and the canal itself went under some major renovation. 

In 1977 Longwood Drive, the access road for the industrial estate, was completed. The newly completed M4 can be seen in the background along with the machinery of the Little Garth quarry in the top right. The land between Longwood Drive and the M4 was planted soon after this picture and has grown into the small woodland you can see in the recent (2017) picture.

In 1972 Forest Lock underwent repairs. At that time to the West of the canal was an open field. In 2017 that field is a combination of ponds and woodland with bird hides. The industrial unit (white building) visible at the back of the photo has made way for a housing development.

In 1972 Forest Lock underwent repairs. At that time to the West of the canal was an open field. In 2017 that field is a combination of ponds and woodland with bird hides. 

In 1972 Forest Lock underwent repairs. At that time to the West of the canal was an open field. In 2017 that field is a combination of ponds and woodland with bird hides. The industrial unit (white building) visible at the back of the photo has made way for a housing development.

The cast iron bridge where the Mellingriffith feeder canal joins the Glamorganshire Canal. The arched shape of the bridge was lo enable the ropes from canal barges to pass over the bridge easily without becoming snagged. The bridge has not changed much between 1972 and 2016.

Radyr weir and old salmon trap in October 1986 and how it looks in 2017. The fish trap has been replaced with a fish pass to allow salmon to navigate upstream.

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Morocco

Mary led extramural trips to Morocco on two occasions - in 1972 and 1976.

Mellah. Jewish quarter in Fes 1970s... There seems to have been some restoration work on those walls by 2017 

New mosque, Rabat. Moroccan capital. April 1972. The mosque looks the same in 2017 but the surrounding areas have been landscaped.

Hassan Tower, Rabat. Was left incomplete in 1199 though some work has been done over the last 50 years and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site (images: 1970s and 2017).

A Roman mosaic from the city of Volubilis near Meknes another UNESCO World Heritage site (images: 1970s and 2017).

At the mouth of Oued Akrech between Rabat and Sale (right) 4 rivers join, Oued Korifla, Oued Grou, Oued Mechra, Oued Bou Regreg - 1970s and 2017.

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Taff Gorge

Taken from Garth mountain looking South in 1971 the 'after picture, taken in 2017 shows the new housing developments and completed A470.

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Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay was an intertidal wetland until the late 1990s when construction of the Cardiff Bay barrage began...

Grangetown, Hammadryad and Butetown saltmarshes from Penarth Docks, September 1974 and the same scene in 2017. The mudflats are now permanently underwater after the Cardiff Bay barrage was completed in the early 2000s.

 

Barrage from Upper Penarth. Beyond, Alexandra Dock left open, sea right with boat, 15/08/01 looking very similar in 2017.

 

Penarth Marina and oil terminal outside Cardiff docks at turn of high water. Barrage closed, 04/08/00 - looking very similar in 2017.

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Shetland

Soon after returning to the UK Mary made the trip up to Scotland and visited Bass Rock, Orkney, Fair Isle, and Shetland in 1962. 

Lerwick houses with their feet in sea, Shetland 1962 and a remarkably similar scene in 2016.

Lerwick harbour front. Widow's Houses in 1962. Not much has changed by 2016. The homes for widows were erected in memory of his wife by Arthur Anderson Esq a native of Lerwick. Chairman of the Peninsular and Oriental steam navigation company, Member of Parliament for Orkney and Shetland 1847- 1852.

Herring cleaning trough and salting barrels in Lerwick, 1962, huge development in the harbour has made this picture impossible to replicate in 2016.

Lerwick gulls at effluent of fish freezer in 1962 and a much more high tech fish processing plant in 2016.

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Cosmeston Lakes Country Park

Cosmeston East paddock in July 1979 (Phase 2 of the Country park development) and in 2017.

Cosmeston boardwalk in February 1980 (with Ivor Penberthy and Ian Smith) and again in 2017.

North of the West lake, prior to the path being made, March 1978 and again in 2017.

West lake in September 1987 and again in 2017 (a little further round as all of those newly planted trees have grown up).

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Arles, France 1964

The Place de la Republique in Arles with the Obélisque d'Arles and Musée Départemental (behind) in 1964 and, now pedestrianised in 2017.

The 1st century Roman ampitheatre in 1964 and in 2017 with the modern stage used for events.

The view looking North up the Rhone in 1964 and again in 2017.

The outside of the Arles amphitheatre was in a poor state in 1964 and serious restoration efforts have enabled it to remain open in 2017.

The market in Arles still takes place although in 2017 there are many more vehicles.

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