Understanding the Geography of this Part of Station Street
Initially, I thought that the building on the corner of Station Street and Ellis Street was 33-35 Station Street. This houses The Posh Meze Grill and Bar. However, their address is given as 1 Ellis Street. So, this building is discussed in the post on Ellis Street.
A Gap Between 31 and 37 Station Street
This means there is a gap between 31 Station Street, currently William Hill, and 37 Station Street, which housed Lloyds Bank.
So What Happened to 33-35 Station Street?
I an grateful to Jean Harvey for first raising this issue with me in a discussion on Kirkby Living Memory Facebook Group. She initially mentioned that she was interested in finding out more about “the shop which either fell down or was demolished“. She explained, “there was a house or shop where the cut through from Station Street to the [Ellis Street] car park is now. It must have happened after 1921 as I left Kirkby around 1947 but visited when older to shop there sometimes, when I saw the rubble but didn’t take much notice, so probably 1955/56 I guess.” The reference to 1921 is because I had asked if this might explain possible re-numbering of properties on Station Street between 1911 and 1921.
In the 1970s This Area Was Fenced Off
On the Kirkby-in-Ashfield People Facebook Group, there is a photo of this area which shows Challans Gift Shop and Wilbourn’s Garden Centre in September 1979. Between them, is a wooden fence with possibly a gate. Jean Harvey commented on this photo saying, “where the fence is between the buildings is where the building was“.
Was This Gap Always There?
In a discussion about this on Kirkby-in-Ashfield People Facebook Group, Selina Brown commented that there had long been a gap here and that she had always assumed that there had been a building there. Richard Lake commented, based on the 1898 Ordnance Survey map, that there had always been “a gap of sorts here“.
Pre-1900 Map
However, on a map I have, which is dated 1900 but which possibly reflects earlier survey work, there is no such gap.
1939 Map
Nevertheless, the gap was there later on a 1939 map that I have. The layout of this part of Station Street is basically identical to that shown on the 1898 map. However, it is also clear that the gap is similar in size to the gap/alley at the side of 21 Station Street, what was National Westminster Bank. This is no longer the case. The gap in this location is much wider than the one between 21 and 23 Station Street.
I have annotated the 1939 map with building numbers. When this is done, it seems fairly clear that 33-35 are no longer there and this explains the gap.
Memories and Recollections
I am grateful to Peter Anthony Cain for noting that “where the fence is [in the 1979 photo], there was a fruit and veg shop“. This reminded me that Edith Searson, in her book(let) “I Also Remember” noted that “the shop stood where the garden centre’s planst and shrubs have, until last year, been exhibited.” She identifies this shop as Kirkby’s greengrocers and it is clear from her description that this shop was gone well before the 1980s. Heather Mulholland also commented, on Kirkby Living Memory Facebook Group, that “Mr Kirby’s fruit and veg shop was in the gap”. David Herberts noted that “the gap used to be a greengrocer“,
Confirmed by Photos
I am grateful to Frank Ball for pointing out that a photo of this part of Station Street that I had posted shows “no gap“. In going through this photo with him, he explained that the building on 1 Ellis Street had then, as now, a roof line level with the properties forming 25 to 31 Station Street. This is clearly seen on the photo. Between them is a building with a lower roof line. This was 33-35 Station Street and when this was demolished, it left the gap we have now.
I am also grateful to Alwyn Bowskill for making similar observations on a photo of Station Street looking in the opposite direction from Newcombes.
Reflections on the Gap
In a discussion on Kirkby-in-Ashfield People Facebook Group concerning this gap, Janet Pratt noted that the discussion was fascinating. She noted that she had “walked through the gap so many times and never even wondered about it“.
Kirby’s Greengrocers
In 1941 and 1942, Jas Kirby, a fruiterer was based at 33-35 Station Street.
The business is listed as a greengrocer on Jacques’ List of Station Street retailers circa 1920-1940.
J Holroyd & Co and Frederick Herbert Rickett
In 1912, J Holroyd & Co were listed as dyers at 33 Station Street with Frederick Herbert Rickett listed as a greengrocer at 35 Station Street.
J Holroyd and Co appears to have been established as a company in Huddesfield in 1857. They opened multiple branches and traded into at least the 1940s.
Recollections of Kirby’s
Mark Ashfield
I think Mark Ashfield describes this family in “Christmas Pigs and a Summer Donkey” (pages 21-22). However, he spells the surname Kirkby and says both father and son were called Herbert. He notes that the senior man “was a character; perhaps, you might say, close to eccentricity. He was a fruiterer and greengrocer, a slight, rather sad-faced figure, invariably clad in brown smock and flat cap – on weekdays. But come Sunday (certainly in the Sunday Schools’ Anniversary season) smock and cap were exchanged for black suit, wing collar and bowler. He may have bought the bowler from his neighbour [Thomas Banks], but that is of little importance. What is worth recording is that he travelled the locality in search of Sunday School Anniversaries; and he walked to them“.
Edith Searson
Edith Searson recalled him in her book(let) “I Also Remember“. She described him as one of the best-known shopkeepers in the town, next door to the doctor. She noted that, on Friday afternoons, he had direct deliveries of baskets of strawberries, “a lorry load of 2lb ‘chips’, direct from the fields, would arrive and be sold direct to the public from the lorry. Nothing like this had happened before, what I remember, strawberries were weighed out, loose, from a container, as many as the customer required, and could possibly be a bit mushy; who remembers as I do the thrill of the arrival of the lorry, people like me waiting in anticipation. People came from all directions for their basket of strawberries. I suppose it started a new are! (age? era?). She concluded that the strawberry trade would never be the same again.
Other Memories
Charles Reynard, a contributor on Kirkby Living Memory Facebook Group, was born in 1952. He commented, “I recall Herbert Kirby’s greengrocers. To say it was basic would be an understatement. Herbert always wore a dingy brown coat, everything left the shop in a brown paper bag and in deepest winter it was warmer out in the street than in the shop. He had a lovely lady, Mrs Burton, working alongside him at some point.” Frank Ball recalled that he “used to call in from school for a penny apple ,if he had a large one going over, he would cut out the bad and you got that.“
In a comment on Kirkby-in-Ashfield People Facebook Group, Lisa Parnill recalled that her father-in-law lived above Kirby’s with his parents and two brothers.
Residents of 33-35 Station Street
The Kirbys
In 1939, James and Maria Kirby were living at 35 Station Street with their son Herbert (b1920). James was described as a florist and fruiterer and Herbert was described as an assistant in a fruiterer’s shop. The Kirbys were also there in 1921. James was described as a florist and fruiterer. Herbert’s middle name was given as Henry. Robert E Kirby was staying with them as a visitor. He was four years younger than James Kirby and was described as a Gas Engine Mechanic for Campbell Gas Engine Company. Perhaps he was the younger brother?
More Hutchinsons
In 1939, Charles E and Miriam Hutchinson were living at 33 Station Street with their two sons Sydney A H (b1932) and Bernard (b1937). There is also one closed record. Charles was a builder’s labourer and he was also an air raid warden.
The Ashmeads
In 1921, Joseph and Hilda Ashmead were living at 33 Station Street. He was described as a goods shunter on the railway for the Midland Railway Company. The name has been transcribed as Ashmead. However, it is not very clear on the original and could be something else.
The Ricketts
In 1911, Frederick and Ada Rickett were living at 35 Station street with their two sons Leonard (b1889) and Rupert (b1893). Leonard was a joiner and carpenter and Rupert was an elementary school teacher. Interestingly, Frederick was described as a greengrocer.
The Pogsons
Also, in 1911, John Sheriff and Emma Pogson were living at 33 Station street with their son George Harold (b1907). John was described as a Midland Railway Engine Stoker.
The Frankses
In 1901, John and Emma Franks were living at 35 Station Street with their six children, Alice (b1887), Thomas (b1888), Willis (b1890), Albert John (b1893), Claude (b1896) and Lilian (b1900). John was described as a coal miner hewer and grocer with Thomas described as a grocer’s assistant.
Olive Ellis
Also, in 1901, widow Olive Ellis was living at 33 Station Street. She was described as a dressmaker. Harry Scott was also there, as a boarder. He was described as a lace manufacturer.
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