The village pump would have been one of the main water supplies for most of The Street. Some premises would have had wells in the back garden. Mains water supplies were provided in the early 20th Century. The cottages to the left of the pump were demolished mid 20th Century and Gippingstone Road built through the gap.
The first post office recorded in the village stood where the Cooperative Store is now. It was moved into premises further up The Street in the mid-20th Century – the old building and the three cottages to the left of it were demolished.
A similar view but on the extreme left is the corner of the old shoemaker’s shop opened about 1900 by Albert Mee and later run by Bob Manning. After many changes of use it is now a café.
The shoemaker’s shop can be seen more clearly in this picture, taken after the village pump was removed. The stone that stood by the pump remains – it served as a mounting block for horse riders.
Another view but recording changes in the village after the First World War. Note the motor van used by Bowman’s Bakery, the telegraph wires stretching across the far end of The Street, the unmade road and pavements.
Near the van is the sign for the Royal Oak pub.
Bernard Haste – Butcher (19 The Street)
The shop was first occupied by the Pallant family who had a butcher’s business elsewhere in the village since at least 1841. Bernard Haste took it over in the early 1900’s and later by the Bales family who ran it until the 1970’s. It is currently a Chemists shop.
The village bakery was run by the Bowman family since at least 1841. Later run by Federick Fish it closed in the late 20th Century and is now a private dwelling.
The blacksmith was an essential service in any village for hundreds of years. This one at the top of The Street was in operation until the mid-20th Century.
This view of The Street shows Pallant’s butchers’ shop and taken around 1900. The village pump can be seen – to the left of the cart – and the Post Office to the right.
Taken from further down The Street, looking north, from what is now the junction of Leggatt Drive
A later picture of the bakery – it closed in the late 20th Century.
Other businesses in The Street over the years included a pork butcher, saddler and harness makers, a sweet shop and later a newsagent.