Bairstow Eves
Currently, the estate agents, Bairstow Eves, are based at 32 Station Street. They have been there since at least October 2008.
Vision Art Associates
A video, TV and Hi-Fi service and repair company was based at 32 Station Street between at least July 1984 and June 1986.
Micro Vision
This company described itself as “your local computer centre“. It was based at 32 Station Street in 1984 and 1985 at least. The company was linked to Vision Art Associate through Phil Tuttle who ran both shops. In May 1984, this centre was described as “new“. In an advertising feature, anyone who spent £5.95 before 5 May 1984 was entered into a prize draw to win a new Sinclair computer.
In contributions on Facebook, both Justin Hawkins and Joanne Baker recalled a computer shop in this approximate location in the mid-eighties. Justin noted, “in the mid 80s there was a computer shop there, or either side of that shop, we used to to go in Cresswells on corner at dinner time from school (Kirkby centre),and then go up that way for a walk round.” However, in a further comment he noted that he could not “really remember it having anything to do with repairs and TVs to be honest! Maybe this shop came after? Sure it was totally games and computer tech! (at the time anyway). Must have been around 83 the shop was there“.
Jeanette Carter commented that Philip Tuttle was her cousin. Sadly, he passed away in early 2023. Jean Bradley noted that she had lived a few doors away from Philip Tuttle when young.
Carnaby Girl
Opened by Emperor Rosko
In a Facebook comment, Paul Brown recalled that Carnaby Girl was in that row and that it was opened by “the then famous DJ Emperor Roskow“. Emperor Rosko was the stage name for Michael Joseph Pasternak, an American DJ, most well-known for appearing on Radio Caroline and Radio 1 in the sixties and early seventies.
Alwyn Bowskill started a post on this topic on Kirkby Living Memory Facebook Group in 2018. In the comments on that post, Helen Potter recalled that her cousin Michael Coleman had driven Rosko to and from the venue. Heather Mulholland noted, “I remember running around the back of the shop when he was leaving and got a photo, but long lost I’m afraid.”
Jillian Tugby
Both Marlene Shelton and Heather Mulholland thought the owner of the business was called Jillian. Heather noted that she had had a shop in Lowmoor Road before moving to Station Street and that she moved from selling clothes to selling material. She also noted that the shop was “about where Bairstow Eves is now“. Marlene thought her maiden name was Tugby that she started selling stockings and tights before moving on to coats etc. and that she later moved to larger premises in Sutton. This shop may have been known as Gillian Girl.
Megan Finney (nee Barsby) recalled that she worked at the Carnaby Girl factory folding tights. She noted that the business was run by Jill and her sister, Kathleen. The business moved to this little factory after it had been on Station Street. Megan notes that there was also a brother who did deliveries with his van. Megan recalled that she “had a lovely time working there for them both and made friends with the other girls then.“
Listed in the Telephone Directory
In 1977, Carnaby Girl was listed as at Lane End in the telephone directory.
A Partial Photograph
I am grateful to Sharon Millan for sharing some photos of the Whit Walks in the late seventies. One of these has a partial picture of Carnaby Girl in the background.
An Earlier Row of Terraced Houses
The current building housing 24-36 Station Street was constructed in the sixties. Prior to that, there had been a row of terraced houses/cottages. These were noted both by Edith Searson in her book(let) “I Also Remember” and by Mark Ashfield in his book “Christmas Pigs and a Summer Donkey“.
Tom Scothern
Some people ran businesses from these houses/cottages. For example, Tom Scothern was listed as a coal carter at 32 Station Street in the 1928 Kelly’s Directory. He was living at 32 Station Street in 1921.
Arthur E Cobb
In the 1912 list of Station Street shops, compiled by Barbara Parkin, Arthur E Cobb was listed as a hairdresser at 32 Station Street.
Memories of 32 Station Street
In a comment on Facebook, David Jeacock recalled living at 32 Station Street with his grandparents at the end of the fifties/beginning of the sixties.
Residents of 32 Station Street
The Greens
In 1939, Wilfred and Adelaide Green were living at 32 Station Street with their two children Leslie (b1918) and Irene (b1921). Wilfred was described as a colliery banksman, Leslie as a cycle packer and Irene as a welter machinist although it has been transcribed as weeter.
The Scotherns
In 1921, Tom and Elizabeth Scothern were living at 32 Station Street with their four children Eddie (b1914), Jack (b1916), Kitty (b1919) and Maurice (b1920). Tom Scothern was described as an ice cream vendor.
George Beighton
In 1911, George Beighton was living at 32 Station Street. He was described as a coal miner corporal below ground. Living with him was Mary Nicholls, described as a housekeeper, and Frank Beighton Nicholls (b1911) described as son.
The Fullers
In 1901, Thomas and Maria Fuller were living at 32 Station Street with their three daughters, Alice (b1873), Minnie (b1877) and Annie (b1879). Thomas was described as a colliery ostler (below ground), Minnie as a hosiery mender (factory) and Annie as a Griswold worker. I am grateful to Ivan Braddow for explaining that the Griswold was a small, portable machine that could be used to knit circular material, e.g. as for making socks. Apparently, it was developed by Henry Josiah Griswold.