Reference
Z1465/2/1/2
Title
Ampthill, some memories of things that have changed. Betty & Jim Gillett
Date free text
Written in the 1990s
Production date
From: 1920 To: 2000
Scope and Content
Jim Gillett, a long time resident of Ampthill offers a nostalgic look at the ways in which the town centre has changed over the years during the course of his life, charting through his memories the transformation of the town, from one characterised mostly by 'interesting little businesses' and small family run shops to their eventual replacement by 'umpteen antique shops and estate agents'. The manuscript begins by describing the authors life during roughly the mid 1920s when he attended the Church of England school rather than the much closer 'British School'.
The rest of the account follows the memories he assigns to the journey to and from the school, as well as other familiar haunts from this period of his life, such as the smell from passing the forge in Blacksmith Lane, the sight of the milk being delivered fresh from the dairy in Dunstable Street, and his personal preferences of the number of local sweet shops. He mentions remembering the gentleman who had ownership of one of the first cars in Ampthill, and the interest which the hosting of Cattle Markets held for himself and his school fellows, especially the potential incidents within the town centre which transferring the cattle could cause as well as the excitement the fire station being open could generate. He reminisces fondly about the butchers shops and expresses pleasure in the fact the after 60 years the same family still run the Ingles butchers, though this contrasts to his displeasure that of seven only two remains, and one is now one of the eight (at this point) estate agents in Ampthill.
He mentions the changes which occurred in the businesses of Pecks, formerly Rushbrookes and the downsizing of the town's Post Office as well various establishments of the area. He notes the changes of the Flitt Motor Company petrol pumps which used to reside close to the town centre as well as the change of two independent merchants into a Nat West owned Bank, as well as the location of the Labour Exchange which he recalls particularly the long queues outside of during the depression year between the wars. He makes mention also of the two large grocers in town, Claridge and Berwick's and Colmans as well as smaller shops nearby in Bedford Street. Finally he makes note of how he spent his summer holidays exploring the surrounding countryside, with time spent at the Firs and the reservoir, without the need for a playground.
typed
Level of description
item