The Crossing
At number 54, there is another charity shop, this one is called The Crossing. According to the sign on the building, it supports St Wilfrid’s and other charities. It has been there since at least June 2015.
MG’s House Clearance
Prior to that, from at least October 2008 to April 2011, it was MG’s House Clearance. In a Facebook comment, Sharon Griffiths explained, “MG House clearance is my husband Michael Griffiths’ business. He rented number 52 for a short while (previously Shirley Wilkinson greengrocers) before purchasing 54 Station Street from Strands Hairdressers. He moved the sales part of the business to Belper and the Crossing charity shop took over, as their premises in the old precinct was due for demolition to make way for Morrison’s.“
R C Ravensdale
In the 1980s, the accountant R C Ravensdale was at number 54.
Modern Way Libraries
In 1941 and 1942, Modern Way Libraries was at 54 Station Street. This appears as Modernway Library on Jacques’ List of Station Street retailers circa 1920-1940.
John Henry Pask
In 1928, number 54 was occupied by John Henry Pask, a hairdresser.
Jacques’ List of Station Street retailers circa 1920-1940 seems to indicate that Pask’s hairdresser’s was located around 42 Station Street but I wonder if this is correct.
John J Holmes
According to a 1912 list of shops in Station Street, compiled by Barbara Parkin, John J Holmes was a confectioner at 54 Station Street.
Memories of Modern Way Libraries
Mark Ashfield
Modern Way Libraries is featured as one of three shops in Mark Ashfield’s book “A Carnival Crown and a Roasted Ox” (pp18-20). It was a private lending library and it cost 2d per week to borrow books. The library was owned by Joss Bridges, a retired miner. The slogan on the wall read “to know the world is to change the world“.
Other Recollections
Airfix Models
In a discussion on Kirkby Living Memory Facebook Group, Paul Brown enquired about a small shop which he recalled as the Modern Library. He had asked his friends about it but none of them could remember it. He recalled “buying Airfix models from there as a kid“.
Opposite Ellis Street
Chris Kidger also recalled the shop, “roughly opposite Ellis Street“.
Books
Joan Ware recalled that her dad and brothers went there to get Zane Grey “cowboy” books.
Records
Glenys Hufton recalled buying records from there.
The Slogan
John Wag Harris recalled a slogan above the shop which read “knowledge is power, books are the key to that knowledge“.
Max Bridges
Chris Spencer noted that the library was owned by Max Bridges and that he was Colleen Overfield’s uncle. Sue Broughton also noted that it was run/owned by Max Bridges. Max Bridges (b1931) was the son of Joshua (Joss) and Ellen Bridges.
Mrs Knowles and Her Son Billy
In a Facebook comment, Lynda Johns noted that she had been reading some 2018 comments from her mother who was in her eighties saying, “she remembers being a frequent customer of the Modern Way Library in the late 40s. She says it was run by a Mrs Knowles who had a son Billy with whom my mum had a few dates! Mum seems to think there was a small charge for the loan of the books.“
Residents of 54 Station Street
The Bridges
In 1939, Joshua and Ellen Bridges were living at 54 Station Street. There were also three people whose records are closed. Joshua was registered as a bookseller (manager).
The Masgroves
In 1921, George and Ada Masgrove were living at 54 Station Street with their two children Vera (b1918) and John Kenneth (b1921). George was listed as a coal miner hewer for Butterley Colliery Company.
The Siddys
In 1911, Ernest Edward and Sarah Siddy were living at 54 Station Street with their two children Ernest Edward (b1909) and Mary Irene (b1910). Also with them were two boarders, Mary Ann Chadbourn and Alice Kenny. Ernest Edward Snr was recorded as a builders bricklayer (although the word looks like bricklion and has been transcribed as bricklin) and Alice as a hosiery factory winder.
Ernest Edward Siddy appeared before the Kirkby Tribunal during the first world war seeking an exemption to military service. Although he was given temporary exemptions, he later joined the Inland Water Transport Royal Engineers. He was killed in an accident on 26 October 1917 when a plane practising take-offs and landing crashed into him, see Kirkby Tribunal blog.
Ann Morton
In 1901, Ann Morton was living at 54 Station Street. She was single and a confectionery dealer. George B Smith, a wheelwright’s apprentice, was boarding there.