Bletchley Road used to have two garages, Tompkins and Moss & Cowley and Wilson; this picture of Cowley and Wilson was taken in 1972. Unfortunately, it’s not a particularly good photograph but sufficient to remind many of you what it looked like and its location.
Does anybody remember what was either side of the garage?
As I remember, C&W edged on to Oliver Road thus the forecourt came just after the corner. I don’t remember what was on the other side. At one time I think there was a bookies along that row. The garage workshops were in Oliver Road, opposite what was then Frames Tours, a little cafe and a monumental masons.
If you’re talking about the 1960s, Pain’s (confectionery and tobacco) was on the corner of Oliver Road opposite Cowley and Wilson. Alongside Pain’s was a fruiterer called Harris. Prior to that the Wilberforce Hotel (a temperance hotel!)stood there. At that time there was also a barber, named Jed (or Ged) Crook and also Foll and Parker(auctioneers), operating on the Cowley and Wilson side of the road.
Herb
Cattle market one side and round the back, this is the place my viva car came from.
Wow, those replies have brought back some memories with the shops and offices, etc. I think the Wilberforce Hotel was before my time. Do I remember correctly that in the little shops in Oliver Road there was a shop selling fishing equipment – and maggots!
Yes Cassie there was a fishing shop in Oliver Road, I think it was owned by a Mr Cross.
Ernie Cross.
No the fishing tackle shop was in Duncombe St. in a cottage front room! As a kid I used to go there & buy maggots etc. It was owned by Ernie Cross.
Hopefully I’ve got the name of the street right. I’d love to see a photo’ of the jewellers on the corner of Albert Street, opposite the pawn shop. I seem to remember there were curved steps leading up to the door. I know the owner was a lovely, elderly Jewish man.
Another question. There was a small, very trendy Carnaby Street style boutique in Fenny in the 60’s, opposite the church. It was owned by Johnny Vicerage. I wonder if anyone can remember it’s name and if there are any photo’s of it.
I’m surprised no one remembers the jewellers or the boutique, I felt sure someone would.
I seem to remember a jeweller Sandra, was it almost opposite the old Bletchley Co-operative Society building? If I recollect it was a very narrow shop. As regards the boutique i can only remember one a little further up from St Martin’s Church on the same side, was that the one you mean?
You know how the memory plays tricks Robbie, particularly after 50 years.(OMG, is it really that long ago?) I just thought I had it firmly in my mind where the boutique was, but I could be wrong and I bow to your superior knowledge.
The jewellers was on the same side as the co-op, in fact it was at the end of what was the co-op building, and right on the corner of Albert Street. A picture of it was posted here a few years ago, and I would just like a reminder as I’ve been trying to remember it. This would have been late 50’s. The boutique in Fenny was on the other side of the road to the church, and right opposite it. I just can’t remember what it was called. It would be lovely to see a picture too. This would have been in the 60’s sometime.
Sandra
I’ve been through all the photos on here and can’t find any with a jeweller on the Albert Street end of the Co-op. As far as I’m aware, after the earlier Co-op building burnt down in 1948/49, the site lay empty until the Co-op built their new shop in the 1950s. On the other side of Albert Street was Ruston’s Chemist. The only jeweller I can find so far on that side of the street at that time was Eldred. It was situated between WH Smith and Barclays Bank on the other side of Park Street.
As to the Aylesbury Street boutique you mention, could that be Austin’s? We have a photo taken from the door of the church and their shop window seems to have clothes in it.
Herb
The jewellers was Eldred’s. Next door was a branch of Barclay’s Bank, then WH Smith, then Tom Cloran’s delicatessen, then Jones’s, then Baldry’s cycle shop…
Hi Sandra.
Not spoken since Maxwell House bit the dust.
Hope you are well.
Hi Derek, hope you are well too. It seems such a long time ago now since they demolished the old building. I have been up to the site several times (not for almost a year though) and there doesn’t seem to be any building work. Do you have a link I can use as I can’t seem to find the actual demolition on line. Also, I have lost the copies of the pics you sent me, Would it be an awful cheek to ask if you could make me a copy please. I would be so grateful.
Hi Sandra.
I have a disc somewhere with all the pictures from the day. I will look for it and forward the pics to you.
Bye the way the tobacconist next door to Woolworths was Finlays.
Regard.
Derek
Hi and thank you for the information. The jewellers was definately on the corner of Albert street. I used to go in there all the time. There was a picture of it on site quite a few years ago. Austins? I can’t imagine Johnny Vicerage calling his boutique by that name but you never know. All I can remember is that it was opposite the church and I don’t think it was there for very long.
I knew the Cowley family quite well. Luing Cowley was a JP. They lived in Buckingham Rd. When I attended Bletchley Grammar I used to go out with his daughter Beverley. Very nice family.
I seem to remember, to the right of Cowley & Wilson was an Estate Agents, a betting shop, a radio & tv repair shop, then the market alley way and then my Mum & Dad’s shop, Green’s Newsagents.
There was some interesting things going on in the betting shop! They had to pay “protection” money to no less than The Kray gang! I was quite young but remember them turning up in a big car wearing suits. I wasn’t sure what was going on but years later my dad told me all about it.
My mum & dad knew the owners of the radio/TV shop quite well. They bought records there occasionally. I have one of their 45’s and on the record cover is a label with the shop details. I will find it tomorrow & post the name.
Sadly the owners only son, a university student, shot himself in the head one Christmas morning. I think his name was Robbie. Terribly sad.
On the other side of my mum & dad’s shop was a chippie & cafe.
Thanks Herb, do you have a picture of Eldreds and Austin’s. I just had it in my head, and was absolutely convinced that the jewellers was on the corner of Albert street, I would have staked my life on it. I do remember though that it was called Eldreds.
Hi Sandra, The jeweller’s shop you said was on the corner of Albert street , I’m sure my engagement ring came from there.
Thank you Ann, as I said, I would have staked my life on it. I am grateful, you have confirmed that I am not losing my mind completely. I remember a picture of it being posted on this site, but it was a few years ago. What other memories do you have. Were you born in Bletchley?
Hi Sandra, I was born in Tring , both my parents were in the air force I was about three when dad left the services & we settled in Little Brickhill for many yrs . all the extended family lived in Bletchley or Fenny, that’s how I went to Bletchley Rd school , I surprised myself on remembering most of the teachers by name, when were you at the school?
I didn’t go to Bletchley Road Ann, I went to Wilton, the very first intake when they were still finishing the school off. We came from Brighton but were still chased by the Bletchley children and bullied because we were Londoners. Not such good times in those early days. My husband went to Bletchley Road though, Alan Waite, I don’t know if you knew him? He came from Great Brickhill.
I managed to locate the 45rpm record the belonged to my mum & dad that was purchased from a record shop 3 doors down from Cowley & Wilson. I couldn’t remember the name of the shop but the record had a sticker – PRESLANDS BLETCHLEY – Television Radio Records. Another sticker on the record advertised “The Record Mail” for Pop & Jazz latest news and pictures. Just 1D a copy!
That’s interesting Nick, Preslands is a name I had forgotten, we will have to see if we can find a photograph of the shop. You mentioned ‘The Record Mail’ not too sure if they produce that one now though. It’s strange how publications come and go, years ago I worked for a company that produced the musical magazine ‘Sounds’, at the time in the ’70s that was popular!
Hi Robbie. I am certain I have seen a picture on the site that showed my mum & dad’s shop with the market “alley way” to the left & then Preslands.
If you would like a picture of the 45rpm & cover with the Preslands label on I’d be happy to send it to you.
Regards Nick
Hi Nick, yes thank you! That would be great if you could let us have a picture of the 45rpm and cover, particularly as it has the Presland’s label. Do you still live in Bletchley? If not perhaps you could send us a jpeg file and attach it to an email to: bchi.info@gmail.com
At the moment we are based at The Bletchley Library in Westfield Road. However, the library is to close in April for refurbishment, having said that we have to leave the premises in two weeks, when it opens again there will be ‘no’ space for us; in consequence we will be ‘homeless’ so to speak!
There is discussion at the moment going on for a new venue for us so we can continue functioning somewhere.
Thank you for your support!
Hi Robbie. Ok I’ll do that later. I had no idea that you had an office in the library! However it appears if that will soon no longer be the case, what a shame!
No I no longer live in Bletchley having left when I was about 17. I did go back on leave when mum & dad were there but only once after they moved in mid 70’s. I went back for a short visit in the late 80’s. However I am determined to return for a few days this year. I do have some interesting pictures tucked away somewhere so if you were interested in copies perhaps we could meet up to show you & see if any are of interest. I have one or two somewhere of our shop The Chicolate Box which was one of the old tin shops near the viaduct.
Anyway will send you the picture of the record via e-mail later today.
Regards Nick
Thank you Nick! At BCH we are always pleased to have any copies of photographs you may have for our archive. As you get older you realize how important it is to preserve our heritage for future generations.
Contessa was lovely , they specialised in lingerie. It’s a shame really that there aren’t many of these little shops any more, you have to go to large stores where there are sections for such ladies wear. Those were the ‘good old days’
yes Sandra I’m sure I remember your husband He would have been a bit younger than me. I also remember “Contessa” how about Conways they sold bags etc near the cinema, there was a shop near there that sold coats, Jackets , ladies wear but i can’t the name, over the road near the school was SWAINS the sweet shop they did a roaring trade from the school
Hi Ann. Yes, I do remember Conways, was it right on the corner where the estate agents is now? The dress shop, are you thinking of Gilroys? It’s the only one I can remember. Mrs Mason who owned the shop used to stand behind you when you were trying clothes on, and if they were slightly too large, she would pull them in at the back and say ‘that’s perfect, it really suits you’. I must say, it was a bit old fashioned for me, but people have told me of their experiences when shopping there. I don’t remember Swain’s the sweet shop, where exactly was it, that may jog my memory. What was the name of the tobacconists just by Woolworths? The name is on the tip of my tongue. I particularly remember the lady in Castle Wool stores. If you bought wool from her, you could purchase a pattern too, but if you didn’t buy the wool from her, she wouldn’t let you have a pattern. Strange lady. It always seemed a very dingy shop, was there a wooden staircase in the shop to the left, and there was always a stuffed ladybird hanging from the newel post at the bottom. So many memories Ann, and isn’t this site wonderful. Even if you forget some things, there is always someone who may just remember, and help you out with details and photographs. Love it.
thanks Sandra for jogging my memory, I can only remember going into Gilroys the once with my mother-in-law, she bought me an awfull coat I, did’ ent dare say anything.. Castle wool shop was filled to the brim with all sorts of
craft things she was an odd lady too. There was a shop near there where I had my ears pierced might have been a gift shop. you have a wonderful memory, its really got me thinking of all these places, my in -laws were great friends with mr & mrs cowley as were my parents , I left home at 17yrs to join the air force , I was only home on leave every so often, so I lost touch , but i did go to Wilton Hall every chance I got ,we used to have some good act ‘s.,
If you can think of any thing else do let me know.
I didn’t have my ears pierced until I was in my 20’s Ann, and it was almost a major op. I have many stories of Wilton Hall. One thing that always comes to my mind when thinking about shops is – The dried octopus hanging in the window of Clorin’s, just along from Baldry’s, and Elizabeth’s hat shop. I have told this story before, but the hat shop fascinated me. (I worked at W.S.Johnson’s opposite and could see the shop window) There was always one hat, sitting on a stand in the middle of the window with a half net curtain behind. I never saw anyone enter or leave the shop, but…..Every Monday morning, a hand would appear through the net curtain and would snatch the hat from the stand. About 10 minutes later, the hand would again appear and would place a new hat on the stand and then disappear. Strange.
Finleys was the tobacconists next to Woolworths Sandra.
I laughed at your description of the hat shop I don’t remember it but my mum is 98 this year born & lived in Little Brickhill until she married she has been filling in some of the gaps . We were in Bletchley 3 months ago ( family funeral) we spent a short time in the main part of Bletchley trying to remember where shops were , like Currys on the corner by woolworths I bought my bike there for work . the bike of the moment was “Pink witch” but I had to have a run of the mill one. thanks Derek , I remember Finleys too
Don’t forget to fill us in with the gaps too Ann. My sister had a ‘Pink Witch bike too, did they have a white basket on the front? My bike was yellow with drop handlebars, I loved it. In fact, back in the late fifties, I had a puncture and left my bike at a workshop just past ”The Bridge, and then never went back for it. In later years, the workshop became a tyre place. I was walking down to Dobbies 4 or 5 years ago, and as I passed the workshop, I saw two fitters inside. I went in and said ‘I’ve come to collect my bike’. After asking me when I had left it there, I said ‘oh, late fifties I think’ They looked shocked for a minute or two and then fell about laughing. I’m pleased they realised I was joking.
I would loved to have seen the two fitters when you asked for your bike , I bet they are still telling every one at the pub over a pint .I’m trying to remember bits of interest but the brain is off duty, did you go to the sat morning pic it was always full. of not very well behaved children . did you go to the shops at Whaddon way? how about Cordon’s the chemist opposite St Martins hall & Paris the sweet shop next door.
Hi Ann. Yes, I bet they are still laughing – and I still haven’t got my bike back lol. I did go to Saturday morning pictures, I seem to remember there were always things being thrown. There was an elderly usherette, and she used to rush up and down the aisle shouting that she was going to throw anyone who was throwing stuff out, that would have been everyone. Do you remember a boy called Brian Faulkner. I think his dad was a painter and decorator. I didn’t go to Whaddon Way shops very often as we had St Mary’s Avenue, Because I lived in Far Bletchley, I didn’t go to Fenny very often, but I think I remember where Corden’s was. Where was Paris’s sweetshop?
Hi Sandra, Brian Faulkner was in my class, I’ve been trying to find him for ages ,do you know him? my In-Laws were in business at Whaddon Way shops , Cordons the Chemist were my mums cousins & Paris the sweet was almost next door , David Paris taught me to dance at the lunch time dance club at school run by the prefects., I think I gave up Sat morn pic’s funny enough I wanted to see the film not be bombarded by flying rubbish. ( I sound a right snob sorry)
Hello Ann, You mentioned to Sandra Jack Parris’s sweet shop in Victoria Road, Bletchley. Have a look at the link and you will see the location of the shop, this was taken in 1953 when sweet rationing ended. Corden’s chemist shop was the first shop after the old Council Offices. https://talkaboutbletchley.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/ueues-in-bletchley/
oh well done I have remembered right we used to like the sweets in Paris’s all in jars, I only remember Cordons because mum talked about the cousins although I must have been in there st some time
Hi Ann. Good news for you, I see Brian’s sister often, and he lives at Buckingham. Actually, he is retired from the Police Force now and runs a brick a brack stall at the Saturday market in Buckingham. Brian was one of the people who loved to throw things, he threw a little pendant thing to me and asked me out…..really, how common. Now who’s a snob Ann? (Only joking) My husband has just said that Brian Faulkner was at school with him. How can I get Brian to contact you or you him? Just a thought, perhaps I could ask his sister to tell him about this site and………………………………….
Which shop did your mum and dad run?
I would love to hear from Brian F, If he was in the police force he may know my cousin, Bob Ellis who was a sgt at Bletchley My In- Laws ran the post office/news agents also the wool shop in Whaddon Way shops.
I will give this info to Brian’s sister next time see her. Brian was based at Stony Stratford.
thanks I am loving all the catching up
I think we all do Ann, It’s great isn’t it.
One side was Brown and Merry estate agents the other was Frames travel shop.
Hi Alan yes I do remember the garages & the shop’s, i’ve been asking my mother if she remembers Bletchley road ( she is 97 ) Its doing her brain good too
Hi Robbie. I was thinking about the old post office on the other side of the road this morning, and I can’t remember if it was a converted house, or purpose built, and was it red brick? It would be nice to see a photo’ of it. When was it demolished and what is in it’s place now? I do wish I had taken more notice of my surroundings.
I remember KKK garage in Fenny, apparently the Kray Bros. business. Bunces on Melrose Ave. Love to share the history, great reading you guys.
The Young brothers who owned the garage were friends apparently friends of the Krays.
Hi everyone. I would love to read more of your memories of Bletchley I left Bletchley Road School 1959/60, went on an apprenticeship to Rodex, next door to Tetley’s factory. From there joined the WRAF, so apart from coming home on leave I lost touch with a lot of people. I can remember most people who were in my class. Ann Carey
No reply on the old Post Office in Bletchley, (See my previous post dated 2nd May 17) I can only remember the outside, cannot ever remember going inside.
Sandra – I’m trying to sort out a photo of this but just getting some background first.
Herb