past and present
Memories
Recollections of Wickersley Shops in the 1960s
Wickersley has changed much over the years. Businesses have come and gone and shops have changed ownership. My memories are of the 1960's when I was at St Alban's school.
Bawtry Road
My journey starts as you travel from Rotherham, past Lister's castle. There was a general grocer on Dale Road, on the right hand side in the first house's front room. Here you could purchase items such as washing powder, brushes other household items.
At the corner of Springfield Road was a car show room which I think belonged to Listerdale Motor Company. Next door was a shop but I can't remember what it sold. Across the main road John Powell's booking office was in the corner house and in the same terrace of houses Miss Spencer had her hair dressing saloon. This was where my dad's sisters had their hair done every two weeks. Further along, past the fish and chip shop, was Wickersley's Co-op. The building is now Edward Healy & Son.
My journey now takes us back across Bawtry Road. John Glaisher had a general grocery store (until recently a newsagent) and next door was Millward's garage with petrol pumps on the pavement where now you can enjoy a cup of coffee. Upstairs there was a betting office. Around the corner, on Green Lane Mr Pearce repaired shoes and further along there was a factory which made fencing, I think this was owned by a Mr Wood and at number 2 Green Lane was F. A. Booth, Family Butcher, my dad.
On the other corner of Green Lane stands the Three Horse Shoes and in 1960 Mr. & Mrs. Hart (Bob and Margery) were behind the bar, they had two daughters Jo and Jackie. Moving along Bawtry road took you past Doctor Kennerly's surgery and Stringer TV sales and repairs.
On the corner of The Grove, Mrs. Boyd ran a drapers shop where you could buy clothes, wool and matchbox cars! Next door to her was a barber's shop where my dad had his hair cut. Mr. Albert Smith, Butcher was the next shop with saw dust sprinkled on the floor (this is still Smiths Butchers). At the rear, now The Courtyard was an ice cream factory. The next shop along Bawtry Road was Staniforth's selling bread and cakes (until recently this was a car spares shop). Then you came to the greengrocers owned by Mr. & Mrs. Pellett, today you can eat an Indian meal in this building.
The next two shops stood well back from the road with a garden to the front, they housed a small tea room and the Majestic Hair Saloon. Then came the best shop in the village as far as many children were concerned, Mrs Woodcock's sweet shop. Here on the shelves stood many jars of sweets, candy and sherbet. She also had a fridge containing ice cream and lollies. This property was demolished when the road was altered and became a duel carriageway.
Across the road, in the row of stone cottages, the National Provincial Bank ran their Wickersley branch, in the front room of someone's home. Walking towards the crossroads was the Post Office, this was one long building, owned by Mr. Heath, with the post office to the right hand side, a general grocery in the middle and a bacon/cheese counter at the left hand side. (I think it was that way round).
The Masons Arms was on the opposite corner, standing well back from the road with a large area of grass and a rough shale area in the front, now the road.
On Northfield Lane, after the footpath which ran behind Warren Road, was an ironmongers, run by Mr. & Mrs. Westwood. They also sold a section of sweets; a mix could be bought for a few pennies.
Heading back towards the crossroads took you past George Chapman, shoe repairer. Next door were a couple of boarded up shops which I used to find fascinating, why I don’t know! Mr. Foers farm was next and in his front room the Midland Bank operated their business. Past the zebra crossing was the chemist belonging to Mr Dalkin.
Harry Williams chip shop next door to Pear Tree Cottage, this later became George Chapman's shoe repair shop.
Cross over the main road and you came to Babyland also owned by Mr. Heath. Here was everything a child could need, from a pram and cot, baby clothes to toys and bikes. At Christmas a very important visitor came, Father Christmas visited the Grotto in the back room. Around the corner, in the same building, was Flair hair salon. This is still there today, just one of a few shops operating under the same name and carrying on the same business.
Morthen Road
On the right hand side, just before the entrance to the new St Alban's School was Gert Draycott's, she sold paint, wallpaper and other household items. Further along was Mr. & Mrs. Baxter's newspaper shop and Jack Mumford's butchers shop (now a hairdressers). Continuing along, Morthen Road was the Round House on the left hand side. This was an off licence, I remember you could purchase soda in a siphon and return it empty and get money back. Lemonade and beer was also in bottles which when returned a refund was given. Mrs. Angel had a general store on the right hand side, just before what we now know as Sorby Way and at one time, on the opposite side of the road there was a fish and chip shop. This caught fire and burned down when I was very young and never reopened. It was eventually knocked down and a house built on the site (now at the corner of Gill Close).
I hope my recollections have stimulated the memory of others and if anyone can add to or correct my memories, they are most welcome.
Elizabeth Brown (nee Booth) May 2010
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