Grandma Often Went Shopping in Norwich
Grandma often went shopping in Norwich during this period. Sometimes she went on her own or with mum.
Grandma Took People who Were Staying with Her
Sometimes, grandma went with people that were staying with her, such as Amy, Auntie Bertha and Mrs Merry, Auntie Dolly, Eva, Florrie and Arthur Booth, Jim and Renie, and Linda and Clarence Reeve. For details of these people’s visits during this period, see Chapter 92.
Sometimes She Went with Local Friends and Neightbours
Grandma also sometimes went to Norwich with neighbours or other local friends, including Ken and Irene Bell and their daughter Linda, and Mrs Douglas and her granddaughter Caroline.
It was Rare that Grandad Went into Norwich
Occasionally, grandad went to Norwich with grandma.
Grandma Went into Norwich by Bus or with a Lift
Grandma often went to Norwich on the bus or got a lift with John Douglas. When Tom Wilson was staying, he would sometimes take her and sometimes mum drove her in.
Mum also Went Shopping in Norwich
On occasion, grandad also noted when mum had gone shopping in Norwich, including with dad and the four of us. At other times, grandma and grandad looked after us so that mum could go shopping in Norwich.
More Detail about Grandma and Grandad
However, I have much more detail about what grandma and grandad bought in this period than I do for things mum or we bought. Reasons for this include that mum’s diary entries petered out during this period, see Chapter 87, and that grandad was particularly interested in things they had bought (and their price!)
Buying Tools
Many of these shopping activities and purchases related to tools. I think this reflects grandad’s area of most interest. Tools he bought during this period included a six inch circular saw, a secondhand chuck with key for his flexible cable, a small hacksaw, a pair of narrow-nosed pliers, an electric drill and a range of other items with more detail given below.
A Gadget
One of the items grandad bought was a “gadget” that could drill holes from one inch to two and a half inches.
A Wolf sandiflex
I confess I am not sure what this was but grandad bought one for 19/6! I did find details of a flexible sander head by the name of Sandiflex which was patented in 1964. Also, I found a few potential companies by the name of Wolf – the German company Wolf-Garten and Wolf Safety. But, I think the company in question may be Wolfcraft – as they do make flexible sander heads. They have made and supplied tools and power tool accessories since 1949. However, I have not found specific reference to Wolf or Wolfcraft Sandiflex
A Three Inch Planer Unit
In December 1966, grandma went into Norwich to see if she could buy grandad a small planer but she was not successful. That same day, grandad went with Ron Douglas to Sergent’s engineering of Costessey to buy a 3” planer unit. The cost was £7 1 0 and he paid a deposit of £2 and was told it would be available for the next Saturday. A week later, Ron took grandad to Costessey to collect the planer unit. He paid the remaining balance of £5 1 0. In January 1967, he bought some sheeting for three shillings for the top of his plane and I assume it was for this planer unit.
A Five Inch V Pulley and a 35 Inch Belt
Grandma bought a five inch v pulley in December 1966 along with a 35” belt. I have assumed this was a belt for the V pulley that grandma bought at the same time (and not a belt for grandad’s waist!)
Galvanised Iron
Grandma bought some galvanised iron for the top of grandad’s saws in Norwich in January 1969 from Boddys. It was 29″ x 6″ in size and cost four shillings.
Round Leather Belting
Grandad bought some round leather belting for his lathe from Gaffer’s machine shop in April 1969 for 12 shillings. I struggled to find details of this shop so posted a question on the Norwich Remembers Facebook Group. It was suggested that this might refer to a sewing machine shop – Thomas Gaffer and Sons.
A File to Sharpen his Saw
Grandad bought a file to sharpen his saw in December 1969. I wonder if he bought this to avoid having to pay someone to sharpen the saw.
Tools from Various Places
Grandad obtained these tools from various places in Norwich.
Gaywood Corner
Gaywood Corner refers to 55-57 Dereham Road – where there was Gaywood’s hardware where one of the main recollections was that the shop was known for having a myna bird that spoke to you. There is also a photo of when the building was up for sale in 2017. It was sold by auction for £278,000 in 2017.
The building is now Mr Mangal Turkish Restaurant and this can be seen on Google Streetview. This restaurant has been there since at least April 2019. Based on Google Streetview images, it was KFC from at least August 2008 to September 2015. Apparently, according to discussion on the Norwich Remembers Facebook Group, it was also Wilco Motor Spares although that is now over the road.
There is also a photo of the hardware store on the Norwich Remembers Facebook Group.
Woolworths
For general details about Woolworths, see Chapter 85. I have very strong childhood memories of the store that was on Rampant Horse Street in Norwich. It was perhaps one of the most well-known shops in the city supplying a wide range of goods.
There is a website dedicated to Woolworths buildings and they have an excellent section, with really good photos, on this store, which apparently was the 44th Woolworths store to open in 1914. Woolworths operated there until the late 1980s when they moved to St Stephens. The building is now part of Marks and Spencer.
In October 2021, Norwich Evening News published a number of memories of the Woolworths stores, including photos. This was based on recollections shared on the Norwich Remembers Facebook group.
There was also a Woolworths in Sheringham and grandad went there in September 1965. However, I could not find details of this store on the Woolies Buildings website but the North Norfolk News reported its closure in 2008.
S & G Sergent
S & G Sergent were an engineering firm based in Old Costessey. They were briefly discussed on the Norwich Remembers Facebook group in 2017. There is an excellent photo there of the inside of their workshop in 1958. The photo appears to be from an article in the Eastern Daily Press about four villages in the north of Norwich, including Costessey.
Based on a 1972 article in the Eastern Daily Press, which was accessed from the Local Recall archive when it was accessible, they appear to have sold wood working machinery. They supplied major companies, such as Birds Eye. The building is now used as a snooker club, the West End Cue Club and this can be seen on Google Streetview.
Boddys
I initially struggled to find details of this company. I found reference to Boddy-Moir Roofs and Ceilings in Bull Close Road and wondered if this might have been them. But, I then found an advert for a company called Boddys in the Eastern Daily Press for 1968 in the Local Recall archive. They sold Suffolk Mowers and had branches at 35 St Giles Street and Burton Road (in Catton). The Burton Road area is part of an industrial site.
The shop in St Giles Street now houses Zelley jewellers and Knight Benjamin chartered surveyors. The building is visible on Google Streetview. The Zelley jewellers website has an informative historical section which explains that they moved into the current shop in 1982 and that this was previously home to W J Boddy and Son Ltd. The site has a photo of when the premises were home to Boddys.
A Royal Appointment
In 1966, W J Boddy and Son received a royal appointment to supply dairy equipment. It seems they may have also had a location at 93-97 Ber Street. This location is visible on Google StreetView and is now the location of Dynamic Fitness which was established in 2008. I found a press notice from 1950 which referred to Boddy’s annual outing. From this, it seems there may have been two companies, W J Boddy and Sons based in St Giles Street and Boddy’s (Agricultural) Ltd based in Ber Street. In the 1960 Kelly’s Directory. They are listed as located at 35 St Giles Street and, in 1967, the Burton Road location is also given.
Gaffers Machine Shop
Gaffers Machine Shop was in business at 100 Ber Street from at least 1903, but, as of 1965, they were operating from 23, St Andrew Street. The website of George Plunkett’s photographs has one that covers 100 Ber Street. It appears that all those buildings have been demolished and there is now a car park on the site. 23 St Andrew Street is now occupied by The Benjamin Foundation. It seems a number of sewing machines had the logo of Thomas Gaffer on them. Grandad bought six feet of round leather belting from them and I did wonder why a sewing machine shop might sell this but apparently it would be for a treadle sewing machine.
Buying Tools on Trips Out or From Further Afield
Grandad also sometimes bought tools when he was out on trips, including in Sheringham, or from further afield.
A Drill from London
In November 1965, grandad ordered a Stanley Bridges electric drill from London.
S N Bridges were makers of power tools. They were established in 1937 and were purchased by Stanley Works in 1961. The company traded as Stanley Bridges from 1962. Stanley Works merged with Black + Decker in 2010 to form Stanley Black + Decker.
Grandad noted that the drill included “a fair bit” of accessories and that the price was £8 19 6. This arrived at the end of November. In December 1965, he had a new trigger switch fitted to his drill and he bought a speed reducer for it (55 shillings) and also a long chuck key (3/11).
Arthur Hardie
In November 1968, he ordered a speed control for this drill from Arthur Hardie in London. I am not sure if this is where he bought the drill from but I suspect it was. This business appears to have been based on Myddleton Road in Wood Green in London but I have found various addresses for them including 139 in 1966, 68 in 1967-1969 and 77 in 1970. They appear to have supplied woodworking tools and, in 1967, there is reference to a branch in Glasgow.
No 68 seems to now be a café linked to an amateur football club, New Salamis FC. 77 is on the corner with Marlborough Road and now houses the Red Sea Supermarket. 139 bears the regalia of Lyons tearoom but appears derelict. It appears it has been like that since at least July 2018 according to an interesting piece about Myddleton Road by the writer Cecily McNamara.
Servicing and Maintenance
Grandad’s various tools needed some servicing and maintenance. For example, he noted in January 1965, that grandma took his eight-inch circular saw and tenon saw to be sharpened. In May 1968, grandad went into Norwich with Tom Wilson and noted collecting his 8”circular saw for which he paid 4/6. I assume this had been sharpened or serviced in some way.
Garden Items
Grandad also bought lots of things for the garden during this period.
Two Lawnmowers
In particular, this included two lawnmowers.
Atco
The first of these was an Atco. I don’t know the model but, based on a list from The Old Lawn Mower Club, I think it might have been an Atco 1264 or 1464 which were produced in 1964 and 1965. I think the first two digits denote the width of cut in inches and the final two digits denote the year the model was introduced. However, pictures I have seen of the 1264 show it as a push model. So perhaps it was the 1464.
Grandad bought this lawn mower in March 1965, from Bonds, see Chapter 91. He bought this through John Douglas. The price was £32 less allowances of £5 6 8 so grandad paid £26 13 4.
After that, he quite often bought petrol and oil for the mower. Between April 1966 and June 1968, the price he paid for a gallon of petrol went up from 4/11 to 5/7½.
Issues with the Atco Mower
It seems grandad may have had some issues with the mower as, in February 1966, he bought a new plug for it but “it did not fix the problem”. As this was a petrol mower, perhaps this was a spark plug? In October 1968, grandad went to Boddys to pay for the mower, presumably for servicing or repairs, but they wanted to charge him £4 6 0 and he said it was too much and would not pay. He noted that the man “said he would see into the account & let me know”.
Grandad did not note the detail of how this was resolved except to say that in November 1968, grandma went to pay Boddys £4 5 0. This was a reduction of one shilling but I suspect grandad was not happy with this which is probably why he sent grandma to pay! It may have also been a factor in him deciding to buy a new mower which he did in April 1969.
Qualcast
This time grandad bought a Qualcast electric mower from the Co-op. Grandad described it as a cable version. This mower cost £29 19 6 and was delivered a few days later. Following delivery, grandma paid the balance of £9 19 6 which presumably means grandad had paid £20 as a deposit.
According to the British Museum, Qualcast started as an iron foundry and manufacturer of metal goods in Derby in 1801. It specialised in lawnmowers from 1920 and from 1928 acquired other companies that made lawnmowers. In 1967, it merged with Birmid industries to form Birmid Qualcast. In 1988, the group was bought by Blue Circle who, in 1991, closed the Derby site, moved all activities to Stowmarket and created the company Atco-Qualcast.
Grace’s Guide have a potted history of Qualcast from 1801 to 1991 available as a list. According to The Lawn Mower Guru, the name Qualcast reflects its roots and is an abbreviation of “Quality Castings”. In 1995, the Atco-Qualcast brand was purchased by Bosch. Although there was concern at the time that this might mean the Qualcast name disappearing, this was not the case. Bosch sold the intellectual property behind the Atco-Qualcast mowers to Allett Mowers who sold them under their own name. They licensed the Qualcast name to Home Retail Group who operate Argos and Homebase who sell lawnmowers under that name. They licenced the Atco name to Global Garden Products of Italy who sell lawnmowers under the Atco name. In 2017, Global Garden Products changed their name to Stiga.
Notes on the Co-op
While I have always tended to think of “the Co-op” as one groups of shops and businesses, it seems the reality is much more complex than this with different Co-op groups, such as the Co-operative Group and the East of England Co-operative Society. I think dad understood this difference and I vaguely recall him saying co-operative slightly differently depending on which group it was! But, I confess I was not very interested in listening to these explanations at that time!
I am not sure which group the Co-op grandad refers to belonged to or whether all the Co-ops in Norwich belonged to one group or another. What I do recall is that, for my childhood, the Co-op occupied much of the top of St Stephens. As noted by Joe Mason in his blog, the Co-op at one end and Marks and Spencer at the other appeared to be immutable features of St Stephen’s. It seems that this Co-op closed in 2009 but a photo taken in 2011 still shows some of the blue paintwork. That store is now occupied by Wilko.
Other Garden Items
Grandma and grandad bought a range of other items for the garden during this period. These included two trees and other items listed here.
Two Chairs
These two chairs cost £1 19 11 each. Grandma bought them with money that Cyril and Minnie had given them.
Concrete Slabs
In April 1965, grandad had 23 3’ x 2’ slabs delivered. There were also 12 2’ x 2’ slabs for Ron. The cost for all these slabs was £9 16 0. In July 1965, grandad bought four 2’ x 2’ slabs from Ron for the front of the shed. He paid him five shillings each, a total of twenty shillings (£1).
Materials to Build a Shed
These materials included, in July 1965, some wood and hardboard that grandad got from Mr Beckett who was grandma and grandad’s next-door neighbour-but-one, at 170 Drayton High Road. Grandad noted that the cost was £6 13 9 but there was a discount of 3/9 meaning they paid £6 10 0.
Grass Seed
In August 1965, grandad got 16 pounds of grass seed from H & F Collier in St Augustine’s Street. The price was six shillings per pound but, if they bought more than a stone, the price was reduced to 5/9. Grandad paid £4 12 0 for 16lbs and they also lent him a seed spreader.
A Lawn Rake
Grandma bought a lawn rake in March 1966 for 4/3. Grandad noted that it had no handle.
A Set of Lawn Golf
Grandma bought a set of lawn golf in May 1966 for 59/6. I am not exactly sure what it was but perhaps something like this. I vaguely recall something like this but I wonder if what I remember is a croquet set as I seem to recall metal hoops. We certainly played a game/games of this nature on grandma and grandad’s back lawn.
An Incinerator
The incinerator should have cost 62 shillings but they got it from Bonds through John Douglas so only paid 50 shillings.
Materials for the Windmill(s) that Grandad was Building
In December 1967, grandad went to Norwich and bought 3ft of 1⅜” iron tubing for his windmill as he found the 1¼” dowelling would not be strong enough. It cost five shillings. In April 1968, grandad bought a 2’ x 2’ slab for the tower windmill to stand on in the front garden, He paid 4/11 for this.
Places Where They Bought Garden Items
Grandma and grandad purchased gardening items from various places including those listed here.
Curtis
I was not initially able to find details of this company so I posted a question on the Norwich Remembers Facebook Group. It was suggested that there might be a connection with Curtis Road in Mile Cross. In the Local Recall archive, which is no longer available, I then located a J H Curtis who, in 1955, was based at 221 Mile Cross Lane and seemed to be operating three companies – Mile Cross Tile Stove Works, Curtis Brick and Block Depot and J H Curtis, Ironmonger.
However, currently 221 Mile Cross Lane appears to be a private house. The second company, Curtis Brick and Block Depot seems the most relevant and I found evidence of this company operating from Curtis Road in 1947. It seems that Curtis Road may be named after J H Curtis and this was confirmed as likely by Stuart McPherson who has written a blog on the origin of street names in Mile Cross.
H & F Collier
In 1890, H & F Collier was described as a manufacturer of game, poultry and dog foods. However, in 1972, they were advertising Mommersteeg grass seeds. From this, the address was 41 St Augustine’s Street. In February of this year, there was discussion of St Augustine’s on the Norwich Remembers Facebook group including an excellent photo showing H & F Collier. This shows that they were on the corner of St Augustine’s and Esdelle Street. As of August 2021, the building looked empty and was up for sale. It had previously been Dave Barkshire’s motorcycle centre and a café. In 2018, there was a planning application to demolish the existing building and replace it with nine flats. In a newspaper article at that time, the premises were described as a former blacksmith’s.
Woodwards
Woodwards were based in Taverham. I have not yet found any details about them.
Jarrolds
Jarrolds are a very well-known store in Norwich that was established in 1840 and is still in operation today. The store’s website has a really extensive history section. In the 1960 and 1967 Kelly’s Directories, they have their St James’ works Cowgate, bookshops at 1-11 Exchange Street and 1-7 London Street and wholesalers at 25-27 Exchange Street.
Items for his Bike
Grandad also bought items for his bike, particularly from Halfords.
Halfords
For details of Halfords, see Chapter 84. Halfords in Norwich is now located on Barker Street outside the city centre but I recall that, for many years, they had a store on Gentleman’s Walk and friends of mine, Michael Grey and Ian Sherrington, worked there while we were at school. I vaguely recall applying for a Saturday job there and, from my diary, I confirmed that I had an interview there in March 1977. This was about two months after I left the Scientific Anglian and about a month before I started working at Sainsbury’s in Anglia Square. I don’t think I was offered the job. I certainly never worked at Halfords.
Items Bought from Halfords
One of the items grandad bought from Halfords was a front brake. He got this from Halfords in King’s Lynn in March 1965. He noted that it included a nipple, the price was 9/1½ and it was for the bike Ron had given him.
Grandma and grandad also got other things from Halfords including a battery for a portable radio, oil and grease. In January 1966, grandma went to Halfords to exchange a moped bag for a battery gas lighter and a lock for the bike. I was a bit confused by the reference to the battery gas lighter as I thought it was something for a moped or bike but I think it was to light a gas stove. I recall grandma and grandad having one of these.
Bike-related Items from Elsewhere
Occasionally, grandma and grandad bought bike-related items from elsewhere.
A Cyclometer from Currys
In February 1966, grandma bought a cyclometer from Currys. More details of this cyclometer are in Chapter 95.
Currys are a very well-known electrical retailer but I had not appreciated that they started off, in 1927, selling bikes. Interestingly, they were listed in the 1967 Kelly’s Directory as cycle dealers based at 24-26 St Stephen’s Street and at 18 Prince of Wales Road. There are similar entries in the 1970-71 and 1971-72 Kelly Tradefinders.
There is a photo of the St Stephen’s shop on Norwich Remembers Facebook Group. Based on Google, it looks as if the 24-26 St Stephen’s Street premises were vacant in 2019. The property may have been for sale. Before that, Halifax were based there,
Similarly, the premises in Prince of Wales Road, which are now part of Greyfriars House, appeared to be vacant in 2021. Previously, they did house a firm of solicitors called Morgan Jones and Pett (MJP). Currys Norwich branch is now out of the city centre on the Sweet Briar Retail Park.
The day after grandma bought the cyclometer, grandad tested it and found that it over-estimated the distance covered. So, the next day, grandma took it back and, after about ten days, she picked it up. Grandad did not say explicitly that it was working but he did note fitting it and going to the library on the bike, so presumably he was happy with it.
Suttons
Grandad sometimes noted buying items from Suttons. Based on the 1960 and 1967 Kelly’s Directories, they were located at 16-18 Exchange Street and they were described as dealing with pianos, electronic organs, tape recorders, tuning, radio and television. They were still there in the seventies. As of January 2021, that property was occupied by the hair salon Savino & Coombes.
Items that grandma and grandad bought from Suttons included a Japanese tape recorder in February 1967 and a transformer for Amy’s tape recorder in April of that year. The tape recorder that grandma and grandad bought could be operated by both battery and mains. For more details, see Chapter 96.
Dixons
One of grandad’s favourite shops, certainly one he mentioned frequently, was Dixon’s on Reepham Road, see Chapter 85.
Wood and Hardboard for Projects
He bought a variety of hardware items there including particularly wood or hardboard for different projects including for a gate between their bungalow and the Douglases, for a bracket table for mum, for a sink unit for the Methodist Church, to repair blackboards for Mrs Warren, for a table for Mrs Warren, for the pram, for dad’s cabinet, for a ramp for Geoffrey Carpenter, for a bird table for me and for his new top. In the case of the gate between their house and the Douglases, he went back to Dixons the next day with John Douglas to get some sand and cement for the gate post. I am not exactly sure what kind of project he was doing with the pram. Perhaps this was for some kind of runabout for us. I recall these, see Chapter 85, and I think they were mostly made using pram wheels.
Other Items
Grandma and especially grandad bought a range of items at Dixons including a spring, a hand sander, one stone of cement, some PVC, a tea strainer for Minnie, a pair of wheels for the trolley, a pump connection, four legs, a polythene watering can, a transformer for Amy’s mower, a coloured film and a new wick for the Paul Warma stove, see Chapter 67. Other items he bought are listed here.
A Set of Shepherd’s Castors
These cost 32/6 and were for grandma and grandad’s settee. I confess I did not know if they were a type or brand of castor but it seems the latter.
Four Legs
These were 30” long and cost ten shillings. Grandad considered the price to be low and this was because they were two pairs/oddments.
A Surform Drum Cutter
Apparently, the term Surform comes from the term surface-forming tool and applies to a tool that resembles a food grater and is used to shape material. Surform is a brand name used by Stanley. Grandad described this as a “drum cutting” but I assume he was referring to a drum cutter. Whatever it was, it cost 11/6.
Paraffin
On at least two occasions, grandad bought five gallons of paraffin at Dixon’s. This cost 11 shillings in November 1965 and 12 shillings in December 1968.
A Spring for His Brace
Grandad paid 3d for this and considered it satisfactory.
A New Lamp for the Projector
Mum bought this from Dixon’s and gave it to grandad. It cost 35/3 and grandad refunded mum for it.
Buying Things in Drayton
Grandad also sometimes bought things in Drayton including bread, paraffin and petrol. He also paid for his newspapers and for some of the neighbours including Ron Douglas and Irene Bell.
In May 1965, he bought a set of Wilkinson’s garden shears from the Post Office. I think this may refer to Wilkinson Sword who do make garden shears.
Other Shopping Areas
Grandma and grandad also went to other shopping areas.
Wroxham Road Shops
For example, in January 1967, grandad noted going with grandma and Caroline Douglas to Wroxham Road shops. These are in Sprowston and I am assuming refers to the shops opposite Merlin Avenue. As of October 2023, there appear to have been an Age UK charity shop, the Golden Plaice Fish Bar, Astley & Co, a Tesco Express, A&J Barbers and DNA Vape.
Hellesdon Shopping Centre
In June 1967, grandma took Minnie in the wheelchair to Hellesdon shopping centre. I am not entirely sure where grandad was referring to but assume it is one of the sites around the Middletons Lane/Reepham Road roundabout.
It could be the group of shops on Reepham Road or the ones on the corner of Middletons Lane/Reepham Road or potentially both. For my recollections of these areas, see Chapter 76. In addition, I think there was a chemist on Middletons Lane and mum and dad may have been friends with the people who ran it. I have vague memories of dad being bitten by a dog there once but they are pretty hazy!
On balance, I suspect grandad was referring to the shops on the Middletons Lane/Reepham Road corner but I don’t recall hearing it called Hellesdon Shopping Centre. Interestingly, if you Google Hellesdon Shopping Centre today, it gives you the Dixon’s shopping centre but I don’t think this was so well developed then. In addition, if grandad had meant this, I think he would have just said Dixon’s!
Shops in the Reepham Road site as of April 2021 included Premier AB Convenience, Skyplane Worldchoice, the Co-op and Broadland Snooker. The Premier store and the snooker club have Reepham Road addresses while the travel shop and the Co-op are on Middletons Lane. The snooker club appears to have closed in around 2020/2021.
On the Middletons Lane/Reepham Road corner, as of 2019/2021 were Posh Salon, Lloyds Pharmacy (now Total Care Pharmacy), L E Electrical, Cards n Things, Carlton Financial Planning, The Classic Angels Care Group, William Hill, Seasons Catering and Winkworth Hellesdon Estate Agents.
Things from Jumble Sales
Sometimes, grandma bought items from jumble sales. For example, in May 1966, she bought a pram for £1, presumably for the wheels. In January 1969, she bought an electric clock for 2/6. Grandad noted that the clock needed a new case.
Things for the House
Grandma and grandad also sometimes bought things for the house. Items included a 13 amp switch plug, a piece of metal to go over the hall and lounge carpets, wallpaper for the lounge, a food mixer, see Chapter 90, carpet brushes and a belt for the hoover. Details of other items are given here.
A Carpet for the Kitchen
This was 7’6” by 9’6” and the price was 55 shillings per yard reduced from 67/6. This made the total £22 1 8 including binding. It was delivered about nine days later.
A Mirror for the Hall
Grandad got this from someone called Ross and for which he paid 50/6. I believe this was a reference to a firm called A E Ross and Son who were plate and sheet glass merchants in Little Paddock Street in Norwich.
A New Radiant for Their Gas Fire
I confess I did not know what this was! It turns out that it is the ceramic part of a gas fire which radiates heat into the room.
A New Washing Machine
They bought this in January 1967. Grandad noted that it was a new Servis Supertwin Mark 3 although he spelled Servis as Service. The cost of this was £69 9 9 plus tax of £13 9 3 and surcharge tax of £1 7 0 making a total of £84 6 0. He received a discount of £7 and an allowance of £4 on their old Thor washing machine which they had bought in 1950, see Chapter 53.
The new washing machine was delivered the next day. Automaticwasher.org has a page of information and photos about Servis twin tubs. I was intrigued by the mention of a surcharge tax as I did not know what this was. It appears that it was a surcharge on purchase tax introduced in 1960 which allowed taxes to be varied up or down by up to 10%. It appears that it was incorporated into the main rate of purchase tax in 1969. Purchase tax itself was replaced by VAT in 1973 when the UK joined the European Economic Community.
Formica-like Sheets
Grandad bought these, in 1967, to go on top of the washer and, in 1968, to go on top of the cooker. Formica is a branded laminate composite material.
An Electric Ring
Grandad bought this to cook chips in his cabin instead of having to go into the kitchen! He bought it from Teletronics for 35 shillings.
A New Tube for the Lounge Light
For some reason, I recall this light which was fluorescent and circular. I guess it was because I had not seen one like it. From memory, it was set into the ceiling which was Artexed.
Shops
Grandma and grandad bought these items from Bonds. Parish’s, see Chapter 76, and a range of other places.
The Gas Board
Area gas boards operated from 1948, when the Labour Government nationalised the gas industry, until 1972 when they were replaced by the British Gas Corporation. The Eastern Gas Board covered Norfolk. These area gas boards were broadly similar to the area electricity boards that operated from 1947 to the 1990s, see Chapter 67. Grandad had mentioned the Gas Board previously. They installed the central heating for their bungalow, see Chapter 76, and they also serviced it, see Chapter 91. I am trying to recall where they were based. It seems their Norwich headquarters was in Thorpe Lodge which, in 1972, had the offices for Broadland District Council built alongside it. But I also wonder if I recall retail outlets in the city centre somewhere. It appears they had showrooms at 31 Market Place.
Teletronics
There is a Tele-tronics at 309 Reepham Road that describes themselves as AV/home entertainment specialists but they were only established in 1971. I found details of a Teletronics at 313 Reepham Road Norwich in 1964. They rented televisions and washing machines. In 1967, their address was given as 309-313 Reepham Road. Based on Google, 313 Reepham Road looks like a workshop set back from the road and, in April 2021, it was occupied by Wensum Glass and Filming. 309-311 form a building set further forward. In April 2021, these addresses were occupied by Tele-tronics and Cut Loose Hair Designs.
Clothes
Grandad did not often record buying clothes but occasionally he noted what he had bought, what grandma had bought for him or what grandma had bought for herself.
New Suit and Maroon Cardigan
In October 1965, grandad ordered a new suit and also bought a maroon cardigan.
The cost of the suit was £16. Grandad paid a deposit of £5 with a balance of £11 to pay. Grandma picked the suit up on 14 December 1965 but grandad noted that the sleeves were an inch too short and they had not put leather on the inside of the turn-ups as promised. So, he went with grandma to take it back the next day.
Cardigan and Brown Overalls in Cromer
The following month, on a trip to Cromer, grandad bought another cardigan and a pair of brown overalls.
Boots
In October 1969, grandad tried to buy a pair of boots but “had no luck”. So, the next day, he went to Yallops in St Augustine’s to order a pair of boots. There were none in stock but the owner was trying to get a pair. In early November, mum took grandad to collect them. Grandad described them as a box calf Derby.
Soles and Heels
The boots cost £4 7 6. The next day. Irene bought him a pair of soles and heels from Norwich. I vaguely recall that this was a common practice, at least in our family, whenever you bought new shoes to add soles and heels so when they wore down you could just replace the sole and heel and not the whole shoe. I recall mum, and presumably grandad, feeling strongly about this.
Derby or Oxford
Apparently, Derby is a type of shoe or boot and I read a number of articles explaining the difference between Derby and Oxford shoes and was frankly, none the wiser! The clearest explanation I found was accompanied by quite clear pictures which show that in a Derby shoe or boot, the piece of leather through which the laces go (the facings) are not stitched down to the top of the shoe (the vamp). This means they are called open lacing as opposed to Oxford shoes where the facings are stitched to the vamp and the lacing is closed.
Box Calf Leather
Box calf is a type of leather that is commonly used in high quality men’s shoes. Shoepassion have a picture of a pair of box calf Derby boots which remind me of the kind of boots grandad used to wear. The photograph below is of a pair of vintage Tecnic Derby boots I bought in December 2021. I don’t know if the boots that grandad bought were Tecnic but this is how I imagine them to be. Tecnic were a shoe company based in Rushden.
Yallops
There is a beautiful photographic project based on the shop, which was said to have been run by Joan Yallop, on the Forgotten Norfolk website. Also, Keith Morris posted an excellent photo of the shop, from circa 2005, on the Images of Norwich Both Old and New Facebook Group. In 2012, the Norwich Evening News carried a story about the former shoe shop of R Yallop being renovated and reopened. It was to be used as a community gallery. The address was given in places as 31 St Augustine’s Street but it seems it was at 59 St Augustine’s Street. It is now closed and, in 2019, there was a new upcycling shop there called Todd.
Tie
In December 1969, grandad noted buying a new tie.
Grandma Sometimes Bought Clothes for Grandad
Grandma also sometimes bought clothes for grandad. For example, in January 1967, she bought him a coloured waistcoat but it was not big enough. The following day, grandma went back to order a bigger size.
That same month, she bought him another waistcoat and two collars for his new shirt.
In August 1968, she bought him a biscuit-coloured shirt and two collars for the fawn shirt she had ordered when she bought him a new shirt.
Grandma Bought Items for Herself
Items grandma bought for herself included a white summer coat, a winter coat for the following year, a pair of bootees and a pair of lined sheepskin slippers. The bootees were made by Brevitt and the cost was £6 10 0. Brevitt shoes were formed in 1942. At some point, there appears to have been a merger between Brevitt and Rieker but only the Rieker name seems to be used now. However, the formal name may still be Brevitt-Rieker.
Shops Where They did Clothes Shopping
Some of the places grandma and grandad did clothes shopping are listed here.
Curls
Curls was a major department store in Norwich. It was established in the 19th century and was badly damaged by bombing in World War 2 and was rebuilt in 1955. It was taken over by Debenhams in the 1960s and renamed in the 1970s. Debenhams closed all its stores in May 2021. This closure triggered a lot of discussion about Curls, in particular, on the Norwich Remembers Facebook Group and there are some excellent photos of Curls there.
Burton
Burton was established in 1903 in Chesterfield by Sir Montague Maurice Burton. It became a major high street retailer but, in 2002, was taken over by Arcadia. After Arcadia went into administration in 2020, the brand was sold to Boohoo in February 2021. Burton continues as an online brand but I don’t think there are any physical stores now. I recall the Burton shop in Norwich being opposite Jarrolds on the corner of Exchange Street and London Street where Jack Wills was in 2016/2021. However, it seems that Jack Wills has itself closed its Norwich branch and the space is now occupied by Space NK Norwich.
Harry Fenton
Harry Fenton was one of a number of High Street menswear chains that was popular in the 1960s. Apparently, it was particularly popular with mods. I confess to being amused that grandad bought a maroon cardigan from a brand that was popular with mods! Harry Fenton was sold to the Burton Group in 1984. Apparently, the Norwich shop was in White Lion Street and there was an explosion outside the shop in 1974. However, I also found an advert from 1968 which placed them at 55 St Stephen’s Street then which is where Specsavers are located now.
Andrew Shoes
Andrew Shoes were apparently based at 32 St Andrew’s Street although grandad noted it as Andrew Street. On the Local Recall archive, I found an advert from 1966 which confirmed the address. However, this archive is no longer accessible. Despite this, I initially struggled to find this location on St Andrew’s Street today. I found a report on the property on the Norfolk Heritage Explorer website. From that I got the grid reference and used the website Grid Reference Finder to locate the building which is The Ideas Factory which is part of the Norwich University of the Arts.
A Lather Brush
In November 1965, grandad bought a lather brush from the barber’s.
Watch Repairs
In June 1966, grandma and grandad went to Norwich and grandad took his gold watch to be repaired at Tilletts, see Chapter 92. On 1 July, he collected it and paid 35 shillings. He collected it again on 15 October 1968 and this time paid 45 shillings.
Smelling Salts
In June 1967, grandad bought a bottle of smelling salts from the chemist as grandma had a bunged up nose.
Embosser
In January 1965, grandad noted that grandma brought an embosser from Jarrolds. This cost 20/6 but I am not sure exactly what this was or what it was for. I think it was for embossing a name or address on paper.
Caliper Slide Rule
In December 1966, grandad bought what he described as a caliper slide rule from Halfords. I think this is what he meant. Given that he referred to a slide rule, I assume he was talking about a Vernier caliper
Ball Races
Sometimes, grandad bought things that I didn’t know what they were, often because I could not decipher the writing. For example, on 12 February 1966, grandad bought a pair of ½ ball somethings for £1 8 6.
It looks like ball races but I had no idea what they were! It turns out that they are the tracks that provide a fixed path for ball bearings.
People Bought Things for Grandma and Grandad
Sometimes, other people bought things for grandma and grandad. For example, in January 1965, Tom Wilson bought grandma and grandad an electric kettle in Fakenham. In May 1965, Ron Douglas brought an electric kitchen clock. Grandad noted that this clock was a wedding present for Carole. I am not sure if it was from Ron or from grandma and grandad and Ron had bought it on their behalf. Grandad noted that the cost was 57/6.
People Bought Things for Themselves
Grandad also sometimes noted things that people bought for themselves including mum and dad buying themselves a secondhand bookcase. Other items people bought are listed here. .
Amy Bought a Camera, a Slide Viewer and a Tape Recorder
Amy bought a Kodak instamatic camera, a slide viewer and a tape recorder.
She bought the camera from Dixons for £7 8 3. Kodak’s instamatic was a range of inexpensive easy-to-use cameras that were very popular from 1963. They did not produce instant pictures like the Kodamatic series. Based on a list of what models were available when, it seems that Amy might have bought an Instamatic 50, 100 or 200.
The slide viewer Amy bought was like grandad’s, see Chapter 84, and cost 55 shillings.
In January 1966, Amy bought a secondhand Grundig tape recorder from Teletronics for £10. But, she took it back soon after. That same day, they went to a warehouse in Yarmouth and she bought a Japanese tape recorder. The asking price was £19 19 0 but they paid £17 19 0.
Tom Bought a Typewriter, Some Electric Cable and a Plug and Socket
In August 1966, grandad noted that Tom paid grandma £5 10 0 for a typewriter. Apparently, grandma and grandad had paid mum for it and Tom was buying it for Amy for her birthday. He also bought fifty yards of electric cable from Halfords and a plug and socket from Woolworths.
Tom and Amy Bought a Table and Sideboard and an Incinerator
Tom and Amy Wilson visited the Jentique works in Dereham with grandma and grandad, see Chapter 92. Following this visit, they ordered a Jentique table and sideboard.
They also got an incinerator like grandad’s. John Douglas also got them this from Bonds. Grandad noted that the price they paid had been the same.
Ken Hodges Bought an Automatic Tea Caddy
This was from Dixons. I confess I was not absolutely sure what this was but it seems it is a way of measuring out a fixed amount of loose tea also known as a tea dispenser. Although they are quite cool-looking, I am not sure why you wouldn’t just use a spoon (or a teabag)!
Linda Reeve Bought a Coat
In September 1966, Linda bought a coat from Bonds. But, when she got home, she found that she had been given the wrong coat. Grandma phoned Bonds who said that Mr Douglas (John) would bring it but he forgot it so he said he would bring it the next day. I imagine he did as nothing further is recorded.
Mrs Bell Bought a Hotpoint Washer
Grandma went to see this. The Hotpoint brand is still available today.
Ron Douglas Bought a Gayglow Fire
Ron bought this for his lounge. This appears to be a brand of fire that is variously written Gayglow, Gay-glow or Gay Glow. I have not really found a description of the fires or the company but they seem to have been pretty commonplace at one time.
Buying Things for Others
Sometimes, grandad bought something for someone else. For example, in June 1967, grandad bought a wind-up doorbell for Florrie and Arthur Booth from Dixon’s and, in August 1967, grandad bought a socket and a plug to make an extension for them. In July 1967, grandma bought grandad a piece of mahogany to make a shield for John Douglas to mount a pair of horns.
Recalling Where and When He Bought Things
Grandad often recalled when and where he bought something even many years later. For example, in February 1966, he noted altering a linen box that they bought for mum at Toby’s in Nottingham.
Also, in December 1966, he noted making a slide recorder out of an old plastic recorder that he had bought in 1948.
Toby’s
This department store opened in 1924 and closed in 1982 It is now the site of the Southbank Bar on Friar’s Lane. Listed in the 1941 Kelly’s Directory at 12-18 Friar Lane. I also found some adverts related to the store.
