fbb's youth from 1945 to 1966 was spent near Northampton before moving to start his working life in Sheffield. He well remembers that his parents' response to any shopping query was a trip "down the Wellingborough Road". From the never finished Christ Church ...
... there was a rich variety of local shops to serve the local people. Hudsons wet fish shop (Coley for the Cat), Boots (for mum's essential aspirins), O M Dines sweet shop and Shakeshaft's bike shop ...
... were all visited from time to time by fbb.
There was Allibone's chippy and the Plaza cinema ...
... every shop mentioned having faded into non-existence over the years.
Resolutely still trading today is Watts the hairdressers ...
... stylists (?) by appointment to father and fbb son!
The business of A.C.Watts & Son, Gentlemen’s Hairdressers, Northampton was established at 291 Wellingborough Northampton in 1935 by Mr.Alfred Charles Watts.
Over the course of the next thirty years it was built up to a five chair shop, but has now reduced to three.
Alfred remained working at the shop until, at the age of 93, after a short illness, he passed away in 2007.
Also still trading is another shop which had slipped from fbb's memory. the reminder came from a strange source, namely a "Memories of Hornby" video by the boss himself, Simon Kohler.
The model shop he worked at was, you've guessed it, "down the Wellingborough Road".
And here it is today ...
Its founder, Edward (Ted) Evans ...
... started the business in 1936. Ted's big interest was flying model aircraft ...
... and, back in fbb's youth, such mysteries formed a significant part of the emporium's stock. Ted died in 1971 but fbb remembers him as a courteous and respectful proprietor who was happy to advise even the youngest spotty 16 year old who only spent two bob on an Airfix kit.
His son Nick rook over the business and still runs it today (and he must be getting on a bit).
Little would Nick have realised that he was encouraging the model railway interest of the future boss of Hornby.
Resolutely still trading today is Watts the hairdressers ...
The business of A.C.Watts & Son, Gentlemen’s Hairdressers, Northampton was established at 291 Wellingborough Northampton in 1935 by Mr.Alfred Charles Watts.
Alfred remained working at the shop until, at the age of 93, after a short illness, he passed away in 2007.
Also still trading is another shop which had slipped from fbb's memory. the reminder came from a strange source, namely a "Memories of Hornby" video by the boss himself, Simon Kohler.
And here it is today ...
His son Nick rook over the business and still runs it today (and he must be getting on a bit).
Little would Nick have realised that he was encouraging the model railway interest of the future boss of Hornby.
Non Essential Shopping
Northampton Heritage Transport Trust, released slightly from lockdown this week, took a trip to Purfleet to buy a 12 inches to the foot bus.
After a brief spell in Manchester supporting the Commonwealth Games, First Bus 66334 spent ten years at Northampton.
It then went east to Norwich where it wore a minimalist green branding ...
... before ending its days at Great Yarmouth.
It does, indeed, make you fell VERY old when buses such as this are deemed to he "heritage" vehicles.
After a brief spell in Manchester supporting the Commonwealth Games, First Bus 66334 spent ten years at Northampton.
The Trust was anxious to obtain a buggy friendly low floor vehicle, and one which meant more "bus" to the many generations for whom back platforms and conductors come from the age of a ferry-type vehicles which ended its days on Mount Ararat!
Moving Motots
Southern Vectis did not like them ...
... and they were soon shipped across the water to the nearby Island. (That's the big Island aross the Solent from the small Island) to serve Solent Blue Line, by then renamed BlueStar.
They have now found their way to GoAhead:s home territory, namely the north east.
A twitterer points out that you can still see the Vectis green under the wheel arch.
What A Jolly Good Idea
It certainly looks better than the official version, but it would look even better in the original colors rather than the washed out versions.
What A Jolly Good Idea
Moving Motots
Southern Vectis did not like them ...
What A Jolly Good Idea
What A Jolly Good Idea
fbb Fathers' Day Family Fun
The gang from Wantage, (No 1 son, daughter-in-law and two great big grandsons) descended onto Seaton Beach for a familu social distanced picnic. It was midsummer's day (in Solstice-speak at least) and so the beach was well blessed with ...
The younger (?) set plunged into the chilly briny whilst the well-wrapped old codgers watched on.
They pronounced the experience as very enjoyable!
Before departing they were able to take a look at the summated work that fbb has been doing on the model railway. fbb had assembled all the new sections for their delectation.
The station buildings were not yet replaced as they make reaching over to the tunnel top stuff a bit stretchy; but they sit in a box ready to regain their rightful place. You may even spot some castellate additions!
Tomorrow we go to Afon Hafren and possibly to Epsom via an old film.
Next Crossover blog : Tuesday 23rd June
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