Starting at the market place we have the Kings Head a popular spot after a days work,

Next door the shoemakers shop where Mr. Tom Pitchers earned his living.

On the opposite corner "Office's" farm stood, every morning Mrs Office could he seen with a large can of milk with half and one pt. measures hung inside the can doing the early milk round and without fail with her was her faithful dog Dick. If anyone needed milk in the afternoon they'd have to take a jug to the back door of the farm it would still be quite warm, straight from the cow.

Back on the other side of the street a brass plate informs us that Miss. Lottie Carman was a dressmaker, and next door another brass plate where Mr. Jeary earned his living as a tailor always sitting cross legged doing his work.

Further along we come to Mr. Torn Hammond's emporium, he always had a huge display of goods outs side his shop built up on large biscuit tins, which had to be carted out in the morning and taken in again at night. The slogan on the side of his shop always fascinated me, "Aeroplane value at submarine prices” it would have done well on ITV

Across the road Mrs. Southgate had a little sweet shop and a newspaper business, the papers were delivered by Mr. Frances Southgate known to all as "Sammy" he cycled round the village in all weathers and no delivery charge.

Next we come to the Wesleyan Chapel a thriving concern in those days, a large Sunday School and meetings nearly every day, rather different to the present time.

Opposite the chapel the Oakes Brothers started a greengrocery business. Saturday mornings Stanley would push a huge flat cart loaded with allsorts of fruit and vegetables around the village. Dennis would be busy growing the goods they sold, as well as doing a round on a motor bike and sidecar.

On to the next house where Mr. William Dewing had a bake house, there was always. a super smell of fresh baked bread. Mr. Dewing did a delivery service with a pony and trap. On Saturday afternoons he, would always wash the cart ready for Monday, it always looked like new.

Across the road now to Mr. J. Gaskin the saddler, another small shop where allsorts of repairs were carried out, binder canvases, boots and shoes, belts, nothing too much trouble or turned away.

Next door Mr. William Bush had an agricultural engineering business, all sorts of things carried out there to keep the farmers machines in repair, also horses had new shoes fitted.

Further along Mr W. Wilson the butcher lived. He had a small wooden shop where Mr Clifford Tuddenham cut off the joints and made sausages for the village people.

At the end of Chapel Street are the crossing gates and railway line, also the signal box with all its shining---levers and clocks. Mr. W. Robson was in control there. He was a very talented musician on several different instruments.

I hope this little walk bring back a few happy memories.

                                                                                             Ivan. G. Purdy. (2007)