Standard Gramophone Company
19 Station Street is the final shop in a run of terraced shops. In 1941/42, Standard Gramophone Company were there. They were said to be “wireless” dealers.
Mark Ashfield’s First Bike
Mark Ashfield describes this shop in “Christmas Pigs and a Summer Donkey” (p20). He noted that it sold things other than gramophones and that he bought his first bike there.
Two Different Locations on Station Street
However, Mark Ashfield describes it as on the corner of Ellis Street and notes that it later moved further along Station Street. Jacques’ List of Station Street retailers circa 1920-1940 is of interest in this regard in that it clearly shows Standard Gramophone Company in both locations.
Memories of Standard Gramophone
In a discussion on Kirkby Living Memory Facebook Group, David Jeacock noted living across the street from them with his grandma. He also recalled getting Airfix model kits from there. Ian Merriman noted buying Keil Kraft balsa kits from there of model planes and boats. Pam Breedon noted that her dad bought her her first LP from there. She recalled that it was “With the Beatles” and that she “played it to death“. Pat Henry noted getting their first TV from them. At the time, the aerial they got was the only one like it on the whole of Kingsway.
Mr Harris-Barke
In 1928, William Booth Harris-Barke, a furniture dealer, was based there. He also appears on Jacques’ List of Station Street retailers circa 1920-1940.
Memories of William Harris-Barke
Edith Searson recalls him in her book(let) “I Also Remember“. However, she notes that he ran a music shop with musical instruments, copies of music and records. She described him as the organist at the Baptist Church and that he collapsed and died while playing the organ at a service.
In a discussion on Kirkby Living Memory Facebook Group, Christine Evans noted that a notice of the death of William Booth Harris-Barke had featured on her Horrible Histories in Ashfield Facebook page in May 2022. This confirmed that he had died suddenly, in February 1937, while playing the organ at Kirkby Baptist Church where he had been organist and choirmaster for over 46 years. Just the previous month, in January 1937, he had been presented with a clock and “an illuminated address” at the church choir’s annual meeting on his retirement from office. The article described him as a musical instrument dealer, noting that he had later added household furniture and bicycle departments. He was a Liberal in politics and was described as an ardent worker for the party during the period when Sir Arthur Markham was MP for Mansfield. He was survived by his widow and their son.
Other News Reports
Inspired by Christine’s post, I looked for other news articles that mentioned William Harris-Barke.
On 14 August 1914, the Nottingham Journal noted that a Kirkby youth, George L Smith, was fined thirty shillings for stealing a bicycle, two screwdrivers and a clock from William H Barke, a furniture and cycle dealer in Station Street.
On 15 October 1903, the Nottingham Evening Post noted that William Harris Barke was in court himself charged with non-payment of a portion of the poor rate. This appears to have been part of an organised campaign of passive resistance as he was one of eleven Kirkby men charged. The others were William Davison, Geo Knowles, John Hardstaff, William Wilson, John T Chadwick, John Franks, Thomas Marsh, Frederick Hempstock, Harry Toon and George Steggles.
The amounts owed varied from 7d to 4s 3d. Mr Davison asked if he could make a statement on behalf of himself and “the friends who were appearing with him” but this was denied by the magistrates who could not alter the law but who were there to administer it. It appears that they were objecting to some part of the Education Act. The Clerk of the Court stated that “we all know why you object“. Essentially, it appears this was a protest by non-conformists concerning the provisions of the 1902 Education Act which allowed funding from the rates to go to Anglican schools. Passive resisters paid their rates but withheld the portion that would be used in that way.
Baxter and Platts
By 1969, the shop was home to the stationers, Baxter and Platts.
Recollections of Baxter and Platts
In a comment on Kirkby Living Memory Facebook Group, Christine Evans recalled going to Baxter and Platts regularly. She thought they had done a Christmas clubs for toys which she used when her children were little. Ivan Braddow recalled that they “had a great range of Airfix kits“. Jon Palfreyman noted that he used to love Baxter and Platts “when I was a kid“.
Bamfords Newsagents
In a discussion on Kirkby Living Memory Facebook Group, Roberta Knight noted that 19 Station Street was Bamfords newsagents in the 1980s.
Kate Sharman
In 1939, Kate Sharman, a teacher, was living there. No-one was listed as living there in the 1901 or 1921 census.
William Henry Simmons
In 1911. William Henry Simmons was living here with his wife Flora C Simmons. He was described as a watchmaker and jeweller. We have encountered him at 17 Station Street and, in 1921, he and his wife were living there. As mentioned there, it seems that the properties on Station Street were renumbered between 1911 and 1921.
Kirkby Food and Wine
Now, number 19 is a convenience store Kirkby Food and Wine. It has been there since at least August 2018. Prior to that, it was labelled Food and Wine in September 2017 and Best Food and Wine from June 2015 to April 2017. In April 2011, it appears to have been an unlabelled convenience store. From 2008-2009, it was called Lifestyle Express.
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