I am still sceptical about Google Streetview. Probably all the information that Google collects will cause the end of the world one day, similar to the scenario drawn in Terminator 2. But to come back to the main issue of this post: Just for fun and after a long time I checked Streetview in order to find out what happened to the old Simmons production facilities. Surprisingly even the side roads such as Abbey Mill Lane where Simmons produced the SDSV have been photographed in 2009:
in the center of the picture you can see Abbey Mill where Simmons produced on the top floor. Yes! British high technology came from probably one of the most picturesque places in Britain! On the right you can see “Ye Olde Fighting Cocks”, the after-work pub…
I took the opportunity and “looked around”: Hatfield Road, where Dave Simmons (likely) built his Musicaid gear (SDS3/4) and the first SDSV prototypes, Abbey Mill, where they started the SDSV production in 1982 and the Alban Park factory, the huge production facilities. Of course Alban Park has changed during the last 23 years: the old Simmons facilities are now a Best Import ltd.. It’s the building in the background next to the Volkswagen dealer. Abbey Mill is now a Bed-And Breakfast accomodation.
All information which I have provided here is unproved, but it will be proved soon 😉