The Tea Room
Currently, The Tea Room is at 18-20 Station Street. In a comment on Facebook, Pedro Antonio Perez noted that they had nice coffee there.
However, their Facebook page stated that they were flooded in June 2023 and they expected to be closed for the “foreseeable future“. It now seems unlikely that the premises will reopen although the Facebook page seems to indicate that the business is continuing as Catering with Passion. In a post on Facebook, Sharon Griffiths commented, “The Tea Room was a great place to visit. Very popular small business until the flood. Such a shame the Tea Room will not be reopening.” Emma Goulder also commented that she did not think the Tea Room would be reopening. Rikki Vaughan confirmed this saying that the owner now manages one of the food places at McArthur Glen.
The Tea Room had been at 18-20 Station Street since at least September 2020. Before that, they were based at 30 Station Street. From at least August 2018 to March 2019, 18-20 Station Street appear to have been empty.
Norman Daynes (Electrical)
From at least October 2008 to September 2017, Norman Daynes Electrical appears to have occupied the left hand side of 18-20 Station Street, giving the appearance of occupying 20 Station Street. However, their registered address was 18-20 Station Street, the same address as Craft ‘E’ Corner.
I am grateful to contributors on Facebook, particularly Alwyn Bowskill, for explaining that these businesses were run as a family concern and the premises were not divided into two. Initially, electrical was to the left with records to the right. When demand for vinyl declined and the record part closed, the right hand side was taken over by crafts. Alwyn explains, “there was always just only one central door in the middle of the shop you turned left for electricals or right for records and later for crafts…” Emma Goulder agreed saying “they were the same shop. They just had a wall inside splitting it into the two shops.“
Apparently, Norman Daynes Electrical was dissolved in May 2016 having been incorporated in 1964. Norman Daynes record shop was based here in the 1980s. At that time, they also stocked cycle accessories. They are listed on the British Record Shop Archive as mentioned by Alwyn Bowskill in the comment below.
Photographs
Memories of Daynes
Main Place to Get Records
In a Facebook post, Alwyn Bowskill commented that most of his records and tapes came from Daynes. Others noted similar experience including Alan Dawes, Helen Jephson, Sharon Crowley, Elaine McMurray, Dot Grice, Judy Blewitt, Sue Connor, Maureen Elliott and Jane Brewin. Lesley Scrimshaw recalled spending pocket money at the record shop. Michael Proffitt recalled spending money on records at Daynes and that he is still collecting.
First Records Remembered
A number of people recalled buying their first record there including Von Morley (1972, T Rex’s Metal Guru), Michael Proffitt (1973ish David Bowie’s Rebel Rebel), Wayne Shirley (Nazareth’s Broken Down Angel), Teresa Upex, Theresa Crofts (Meatloaf’s Deadringer), Wendy Ann Beachamwalker (1999 Urban Cookie Collective’s The Key The Secret), Will Graham Allcock (three records by Jim Reeves – Pamela Pamela, Green Green Grass of Home and Old Tige), Rob Bradford (1960 The Shadows’ Apache), Dave Hickman (Human League’s Sound of the Crowd), Keith Watson (1970 T Rex’s Ride a White Swan), Steve Davies, Garry Ward (1975 McCall’s Convoy) and James Weston (1980 The Cure’s A Forest). David Jeacock recalled two records he got from Daynes – Hey Joe and Elton John’s Your Song.
The Charts Posted in the Window
Alastair Eggleshaw, Sue Connor, Wayne Shirley, Christine Wright, Derek Taylor, Phillip Smith and Andy Hallam recalled that the top ten/twenty/fifty/hundred was posted in the little side window. In a Facebook comment, Christine Evans noted that while the chart may have covered the top 50 or 100, “most of us were really only interested in the top 20 and especially number 1.”
Able to Get Any Record
Michael Buxton remembered the shop and John Overfield noted that he remembered the shop well. He used to buy reggae singles there although the reggae genre was not popular at that time. Mark Sansom noted that if they did not have the record you wanted they would order it for you. He also commented that nothing was too much trouble for them. Chris Spencer and Wayne Shirley noted this too. Ady Coupe commented that Norman could get you any record you wanted, even German imports. Simon Ward recalled that they “used to have a big hand written book you could look through listing all the records they had for sale.. bought a Walkman from them with my birthday money“. Dave Hickman noted that you could listen before buying.
Memories Triggered by a Plastic Bag
In another post, Karen Turner noted that finding a carrier bag from Daynes had brought back some happy memories “flicking through the vinyl on a Saturday morning“. Christine Evans noted that she loved Daynes. She was always buying records from there which she still has. Martin North commented that he still has a load of 7” vinyls from there including Pinky and Perky, the original Wombles and Grease.
The Electrical Side
There was also an electrical side to the business. Derek Taylor commented that “Mr Dayne had all the special bits of electrical items that no one else ever stocked“. Christine Wright agreed with this saying that if you needed anything electrical “they would find it in a box somewhere“. Christine Evans noted that “several times I’ve gone in for bulbs for Christmas lights which I couldn’t get anywhere else but Daynes always managed to find one in a little box somewhere”.
Susan Gilbert commented that she “had a friend who lived on a boat at Gunthorpe and could always get what he couldn’t get anywhere else off Mr Daynes, a friend in Scotland who we went to see needed a bulb for an old projector , couldn’t get one, so I brought it back and got one from Daynes…“
Bike Parts
David Pepperday and Christine Evans recalled that, in addition to buying records, it was also possible to buy bike parts there.
Working at Daynes
Michelle Huffen recalled working at Daynes saying “I worked at Norman Daynes as a Saturday girl from 1988 aged 14 and moved onto full time after my A levels until 1996 when I left. The Daynes were a lovely family and I have fond memories of my time there. I was there when it was half records half electrical and saw the switch to haberdashery a great love of Mrs Daynes and Elaine when vinyl was becoming a thing of the past.“
Craft ‘E’ Corner
From at least October 2008 to September 2017, wool shop Craft ‘E’ Corner occupied the right hand side of 18-20 Station Street where records had previously been stocked. The drive for this came from Florence Dynes who, in the news article above, was described as an avid knitter.
In a comment on Facebook, Sheila Fletcher recalled that she used to work at the “crafty corner“. Jan E Thompson-Beresford noted that she loved the haberdashery part, “I used to buy wool, beads, cross stitch supplies, buttons etc. If I got stuck with a knitting pattern I could take it in and they would show me what to do“. Jane Howlett recalled that Craft E Corner was run by Norman’s daughter Elaine and her mum, “this was my go to place, they were so helpful and Elaine even did a small embroidery task for me”.
Positive Memories
Facebook contributors had very positive memories of all aspects of this business. For example, Isabel Timmins said it was a “lovely family business so helpful whether it was electrical or for wool etc. Elaine, her Mum and Dad and staff all so pleasant.“
Daynes and White
I am grateful to Anne-Marie Bromley for pointing out that originally the firm was Daynes and White as it was part owned by Norman Daynes and by her grandfather who she thought was called Eric.
The Alcocks
In 1941, Edward Ronald Brewster Alcock, a chartered accountant, was at 20 Station Street. John Hodson Alcock, a solicitor, was also listed at 18-20 Station Street. John Edward Alcock and Sons were also listed at 18-20 Station Street. They were solicitors and commissioners for oaths. They were listed as attending on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. These days may have fitted with Nottingham Building Society. In 1928, there was a single entry for John Edward Alcock. He was listed as a solicitor and commissioner of oaths. He attended on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
It seems that John Hodson Alcock (b1894) and Edward Roland B Alcock (b1910) were sons of John Edward and Margaret Alcock. By 1941, it seems that the sons were running the business as John Edward himself died in 1935.
Nottingham (Permanent Benefit) Building Society
In 1941, Nottingham Building Society were also listed at 18-20 Station Street. It listed their secretary as George W Yeomans. They appear to have been in attendance on Tuesdays which may have fitted with the Alcocks. In 1928, the Nottingham Permanent Benefit Building Society were listed at 18-20 Station Street. Again, their attendance was given as Tuesdays. However, at this time, their secretary was Henry Roe.
The Nottingham Building Society is still in existence trading as “The Nottingham“. It was founded in 1849 by a group of Nottingham businessmen, led by Samuel Fox. It was originally the Nottingham Permanent Benefit Building Society. Although there is now no branch in Kirkby, there are branches in Sutton, Mansfield, Hucknall, Eastwood, Bulwell, Arnold and Ilkeston.
Henry Bradfield and Sons
In 1928, it appears that Henry Bradfield and Sons, accountants, shared the premises. However, it appears that they were only in attendance on Tuesdays.
Residents of 18 and 20 Station Street
The Dowsings
In 1939, widow Hilda Dowsing was living at 18 Station Street with her children, Ronald (b1917) and Joyce (b1922). Ronald was a wood machinist and Joyce was a tin box machinist.
The Flints
In 1939, widower Thomas Flint was living at 20 Station Street with his son, Thomas W (b1906). Also with them were Roy (b1915) and Freda (b1918) Dowsing who were presumably additional children of Hilda Dowsing who was living at 18 Station Street. Thomas (Snr) was listed as a retired miner, Thomas W as a colliery hewer and Roy as a bricklayer’s labourer.
A Wedding
Interestingly, the 1939 Register lists Hilda Dowsing’s married name as Flint. It appears that she married her neighbour Thomas Flint in 1940.
The Nortons
In 1921, Joseph and Julia Norton were living at 18 Station Street. He was listed as a coal miner (hewer) at New Hucknall Colliery.
The Slaters
In 1921, George and Elizabeth W Slater were living at 20 Station Street. He was listed as a coal miner (hewer) at Butterley Colliery Company. George was also living there in both 1901 and 1911 but his wife is listed there as Hannah Elizabeth Slater. In 1901, George was listed as a stallman.
Anna Blasdale
In 1911, widow Anna Blasdale was living at 18 Station Street with her mother Mary Ann Renshaw. They also had a boarder, Richard Rimmer, who was a joiner and painter.
The Fletchers
In 1901, Thomas and Maria Fletcher were living at “Bank” 18 Station Street with their three children, George (b1885), Melinda (b1888) and Mark (b1890). Maria’s mother, Maria Gore, was also with them. Thomas was a coal miner (loader) and George was a colliery banksman.