Walking sortie 1 - from Instone's garage to the Clockhouse
Starting from the corner of Elmsleigh Road was grocer Rourke, butcher Hill, greengrocer Mrs Hill, Across their back entrance was (I think) a cake shop, then Potter (boot and shoe repairer). Next to his shop was his workshop - quite an experience. Sitting at his last behind his bench he was almost buried in a pile of worn and discarded soles and heels. As you approached his bench it was like walking uphill. Next came Hancock (photographic) where you took film from your Box Brownie to be developed. Moore the baker came next. The ritual, the day after, was to buy a pennyworth of 'stale' (one day old) buns.
Across Prospect Road was Cove Green (recreation ground with the remains of a pond/puddle), bounded by Green's School Lane, which also marked the end of Cove Road and where Victoria Road began. Back to Instone's garage side, the first house of significance was, not surprisingly, the policeman's. Beware his wrath! Yeoman's shop and builders yard (opposite Prospect Road) came next and across from his yard entrance was the local barber. Opposite Cove Green was a 'sweet shop'and 'joy of joys'(for youngsters to explore) the second-hand shop run by a taciturn Mr Johnson. Interestingly, financial dealings in those days always seemed to revolve around 'eighteen pence' or 'thirty bob' for high finance. The last shop in that section was Silvester (cycle shop). In those days 'service stations' or garages were rare but you couldn't have too many bike shops.
On the same side and now in Victoria Road it was all houses until you reached the pub and Nurseryland (baby supplies of course) then the RAE railway line which ran along Elm Grove Road. Opposite Nurseryland were two more cycle shops - Rundle and Coney with a greengrocer between. To their left was the old cemetery. To their right across Elm Grove Road was Wright's general store for clothing, furniture and hardware. Webb the butcher was next and then houses ('The Mount' was where farmer Blunden lived) before one reached The Clockhouse. Back to the Nurseryland side after the railway line was draper Bishop, confectioner Landymore and then the forge operated by the Spooner brothers, where one could stand to watch the interesting procedure of shoeing horses.
Standing at the Clockhouse there was a small group of shops on the other side of Farnborough Road. Chemist Emery on the left then stationer Drew. No roundabout of course. On the right past Rectory Road and Church Avenue and on the corner was grocer Kail.
Information courtesy of James Dodds.
|
|  |
|
