End of June round up.

A plate belonging to Loveley's who once had dining rooms in Boston Market Place.

 

An old garden roller made by Gratton and Sons of Boston.

 

Top: The Odeon cinema being demolished and below it the East Midlands Electricity buildings which is now The Fitness First Gym.

 

The caption reads, The Park Lake, Boston. I can only guess that this is in the Old Bath Gardens near the Old Corporation Swimming Baths.

 

Sanders Ignition Coil Works. Does anyone know where this was?
UPDATE: Thank you to Robin for the information in the comment at the end of this article.

 

Strait Bargate.

 

Thomas Kitwood and Sons Whiskey flask

The Chesman Family Shops.

Thank you to Pat Edwards for sending me these photo's to share. They are of businesses run in Boston by her family, the Chesman's. She says The Pram Co. was running in the 1940's and as you can see by the reflection of the war memorial in the window it was in Wide Bargate.

 

 

The ladies in the doorway L to R are Kath Carrington, Joan Townsend and Joyce Chesman (nee Steward).

The Army and Navy Store was not far down the street. It is Jack Chesman in the doorway. This shop would have been running well into the 1950s and possibly longer she says.

 

 

It is also Jack Chesman standing beside one of the vans run by his father Anthony Chesman.

 

Thank you once more Pat.

The Boston Tank.

The First World War tank that once stood at the end of Bargate Green opposite the main Post Office was formally handed over to the town in August 1919. The tank drove through the town on its own power to the spot where it stood and thousands of people watched its uncanny and noisy journey through the streets. It was handed over by Captain Farrar, the tank Commander, because Boston and District had subscribed thousands of pounds to the various war loans.

The gift to Boston in 1919.

 

In the course of his remarks Captain Farrar revealed that Boston's tank was a female!! There were two distinct types of tanks, he said. The male carrying two six pound Hotchkiss guns and the female carrying six Lewis guns and about 24,000 rounds of ammunition - and the female of the species was deadlier than the male! He went on to say that there had been a lot of criticism about the distribution of war-torn tanks as war relics, people said they did not wish to be reminded of the killing and ruthlessness of the greatest war the world had ever known, in the form of an old tank. He respected their view but wanted to point out the other side.
The tanks, he said, stood as an emblem of British ingenuity, British resourcefulness and British brains. The tank, some people thought, was made as a life taker. It was not. It was made primarily as a life saver. The Boston Corporation hoped that it would be a memorial, not only for the present generation, but for generations to come too, but in 1937 Thos. W. Ward, Ltd., of Sheffield, bought the tank and a German field gun from the council as scrap metal at the price of £56.

Search for "tank" to see Goodbye to the tank on a previous story.

Mishaps.

Yesterday (Monday 25th March 2013) an articulated lorry driver took a wrong turn into Powell Street Boston, a narrow street  which is also a dead end. As he tried to reverse out he got caught up in overhead wires, which were attached to a chimney on one of houses, this pulled the stack off the roof and on to the residents caravan causing damage. No-one was hurt in the incident and the driver can take comfort to know that he is not the first to suffer in Boston's streets.
I remember in the 1980's when C.B. radios were popular, one driver was asking for directions and someone just for a laugh (Boston sense of humour?) sent him completely out of his way and he ended up in the narrow road that is at the side of the Stump.
Another two incidents were caught on film, the first happened round about 1978 when the lorry below got stuck in Mitre Lane off Strait Bargate. This in itself would be bad enough but remember this is now a pedestrian area and in those days had two way traffic running through it!!

The picture below was taken in 1993, what a place to have a crash!! Right on the West Street railway crossing!!

 

 

 

March Oddments.

Eight-day longcase clock with rolling moon c.1800 by Thomas Dickinson of Boston, in oak.

 

An advert for Willer and Riley's peas.

 

 

Roller and Harrow made by C & C Wright of Boston.

 

 

Strait Bargate.

 

 

The London warehouse stood near the Sam Newsom Music centre.

 

 

The Sluice Bridge signal box.

 

 

The Bargate Clock.

In 1922, before setting up business on his own Mr. S.T. Hopper worked for Claypoole, jewellers, of 16 Strait Bargate. Outside Claypoole's business hung a most impressive clock in the shape of an old fob watch which can just be seen in the picture below.

Mr. Claypoole died in 1926 and Mr. Hopper took over the business premises in his own name in the same year. A clock bearing Hopper's name was eventually put on the building (see below) and until 1968 /69 when Hopper's moved to their Market Place property the clock outside the jewellers told Bostons' shoppers the time. Come sun or rain, wind or snow, the only time it let anyone down was when there was a power cut and even then it was only for a matter of  minutes.

It was perhaps the most reliable clock in the town and yet for the last 25 years of its life it had been running without a weatherproof casing ! This was damaged and cracked during the second world war and resulted in the glass facing falling off. Most clocks would have given up there and then, but not this one, it carried on, just as reliable as it was when Hopper's erected it above their then new premises. The clock though didn't go with them to the Market Place and shoppers, out of habit, looking up for the time wondered where it had gone.
Well, although it doesn't sound the sort of way to treat an old veteran, the simple answer was that the old clock was sold to a local scrap merchant. Hopper's also supplied the clock that was on a building near Bargate Bridge (which is now at the Boston Golf Club) and also the wall clock that was at Parkinsons in George Street for a number of years. Another interesting fact is that aircraft instruments were assembled above the shop during the Second World War.

It's a fair cop.

In Boston Court, George Ruthen aged 62, no fixed abode, cheerfully pleaded guilty when he was charged with being a suspected person and frequenting Strait Bargate with intent to committing a felony on the night of September 12th. 1921.
P.C. Rylott, giving evidence, stated that at 11.30 pm he was on duty in the Market Place, and saw the prisoner go across the road and try Loveley's door. He ran from there to a boot shop next to the Scala cinema and then went across to Harwood's the ironmonger's and tried that door. He then went to the Star Tea Co.'s shop in Strait Bargate and tried to break the lock. The constable got up to him and asked him what he was doing.  He said he meant to get in. He looked at the window and said, "I see it's Co-op, I thought it was a jeweller's."
He was taken to the Police station and charged, He said, "It's quite alright. You know what I have done, and what I intended to do."
The prisoner asked no questions and had nothing to say in reference to the charge. "All I wish is to go to the Assize's. " he said.
The Clerk of the court replied, "It is extremely likely you won't have any choice in the matter."
George said "It is a matter of indifference to me, sir."
The court passed sentence of three months hard labour.

Oddments.

A few spare oddments.

 

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/aearchive/8029370279/

This photograph is believed to have been taken in about August 1926, possibly at the opening of the playing field, which was situated next to the Black Sluice Bridge on London Road, Boston. Children from St. Thomas’ School and the surrounding area enjoyed the play area for many years until it was closed.
In the front row - Phyllis Charlton, Frank and Eva Chapman, Cyril Handley, Ron Diggins, Charles Atkinson, Terry Corrigan, Eric Stray, Ralph Broadley, Ruby Parker, Peggy Kemp, Ray Popple, (?) Clayton, (?) Barwick, Doris Bagley, Doreen Wain (baby in pram) and Elsie Patchett.
Others on the photograph are Gertie Bourne, Ethel Hunt, Barbara and Doug Baxter, Maurice East, Ralph Buff, Dick Hammond (on rings) and Jack Fletcher.

The demolition of the cattle pens in Wide Bargate about 1974.

 

 

Undated photo of marching dockers taken outside what looks like the Co-op Stores in West Street.

 

 

An unknown bus driver and conductress taken outside the Post Office in Wide Bargate.

 

An advert for Hubbert's Hairdressing Saloon.

 

 

An undated photo of an old T.V. detector van down Tower Street.

 

 

 

 The Stump and the river.

Goodbye to the tank.

In early September 1937, large metal cylinders similar to torpedoes in shape and size, appeared alongside the First world war tank near the war memorial in Bargate, followed by the appearance of two workmen. These proved to be employees of Thos. W. Ward, Ltd., of Sheffield, who had recently bought the tank and the German field gun from the council as scrap metal at the price of £56.
The workmen said that the large tubes were part of the oxy-acetylene plant with which the tank and field gun would, within the course of that week, be taken to pieces. Oxy-acetylene burners they said would bore their way through the side plates of the tank, one side of which would be removed first, and the weapon would be gradually taken to pieces suitable for handling by the workmen. The field gun would also be taken to pieces in the same manner. The work was expected to last the week and on the morning of September 2nd. the work was being watched by an interested crowd.
Two years later we would be at war with Germany again and probably some of the scrap metal went into building arms for the new war effort but personally I wish we still had the tank and field gun. Not many pictures have survived of the tank or field gun, in the one below which was taken in 1921 at the unveiling of the war memorial the tank can just about be seen under the crowd of children sitting on it!! In the next one the tank is just visible.

Old Fireplace.

In April 1959 the removal of an old partition and fireplace during structural alterations at Addy's the Wide Bargate photgraphers provided a surprise. For behind that fireplace they discovered another, an attractive brick built affair, believed to date back to the mid 1600.'s. It was cleaned and re-pointed and formed a focal point in the firms new showroom. The brickwork was cleaned up with spirits of salts and wire brushes and as the hearth had crumbled away a new one was made with bricks taken from an old boundary wall at the back, which was of a similar age. This wasn't the only discovery for the removal of several coats of paint revealed that some panelling in the room was of beautifully grained oak probably dating back to the same period. That panelling too was restored to its original beauty, while the oak from a further portion, on a wall that was taken down, was used to construct new show counters.

Above and below: Two views of Addy's photographic shop in Wide Bargate.

Odds and ends

This picture of Bostons former SD Gully Emptier was sent to me by Robin Smith and he tells me that it was driven for 29 years by Bert Scoot of Argyle Street, who in all that time was its only driver, Bert named it "Lizzie". Many older Bostonians will remember Bert as one side of his face was totally covered with a red stain birth mark. Although no longer in its Boston "Corporation Green" colour the Gully emptier still has the same reg JL 4881. It had tiller steering and as a kid it always used to fascinate Robin how he could steer it without a steering wheel. Lizzie had a top speed of 20 mph and had done over 200,000 miles when it was sold to a collector.

Below you’ll see a drawing of Richard Hammond on his own bicycle.
Richard Hammond was born in Boston, and later moved to Gainsborough with his parents, his father being an established Coach Builder.
It was in the early 1860s that Hammond worked on his designs for his first bicycle and by January 1868 he had a machine on the roads of Lincolnshire !
Despite much local derision when he trialled the machine Hammond persisted and refined the design into a type II version, lighter and more refined than the first.
He set out to demonstrate the capability of his bike by riding the 50 miles from Gainsborough to Boston which was no mean feat on wooden wheels shod with iron bands.
So did he build the first ever bicycle in England - can a Bostonian lay claim to that crown ?
During his own lifetime Richard Hammond himself laid claim to being the maker of the first pedal and crank bicycle in England.
In any case he is a Bostonian who deserves to be remembered.

Gary Halliday sent me the picture below of a sign that was found under some floorboards on a demolition site in Boston.

The Guildhall gate.

The wrought iron gate standing at the side of the guildhall was made in about 1908 by Mr. Edward White who was then the proprietor of what was later to become "White's Motors" at Bargate End. Mr White was a blacksmith by trade and in between shoeing horses he made this fine gate with the assistance of his worker, Joe Coppen. Mr. White also made bicycles in the early days and these were sold under the name of "White's Imperial". Later on Mr. White began to deal in motor cars and he had, we are told, the first car in the town licensed as a Hackney Carriage, it was DO 33 and was driven by Tommy Shelton.

Good neighbours.

Robin Smith sent me this amusing story written by John Geoffrey Horton (1900/2002)who as a boy lived in Cheyney Street and was educated at Tower Road School. He says that on Market days in the 1990s Geoff used to hold court in the Still where a stream of people would come up to him and ask him all manner of questions about old Boston and to identify people and places on old photographs of the town, although a modest man he did this with ease due to his vast knowledge of the subject.

A Bullock in the Bedroom

by J.G.Horton.

On a very hot summer afternoon around 1910 all was quiet in Bargate End. It was hot and sultry and everyone who could had put work to one side. Fred Staniland the Barber was sitting in his shop doorway reading his newspaper. Tubby Wright the Butcher and his man Bill Raithby were sitting in the shop with the window and door wide open and the meat in the Ice Box. The Ram doors were wide open,in those far off days the pubs could open from 6am to midnight. The Vet Walter Dickinson had taken off his morning coat and was fanning himself. His coachman Tom Harrison was standing talking to Tom Foreman at the Smithy and there were others taking their ease.It was even to hot for us boys to play at anything energetic. In those days there were trees and grass around Mill Hill.

Mill Hill.

One lady who lived there was frequently taken with the "vapours" as she put it and had to have another little tot of brandy. This trouble often occurred several times a day. Her house had iron railings around the little garden and as she crossed over to the Ram for another little tonic she left the house door and garden gate wide open, it was of no real concern, as from her seat in the Ram she could see the house.

The Ram.

Suddenly the scene changed, a few bullocks were being driven from the Bargate Bridge direction and the drover stayed to have a word with the Smithy, the beasts seeing a small patch of grass went to it and after a moment the drover rather noisily tried to round up his small herd and they scattered. One of them bolted through the garden gate and house door and up the stairs, it came to a standstill wedged between wardrobe and the bed. "Here was a pretty kettle of fish". Everyone suddenly aroused from their rest and ran across to the scene and a plan of action was generally approved. Tom Harrison fetched a long ladder from Dickinsons yard, Bill Raithby fetched a big rope from the slaughter house in the Ram Yard. Tom Harrison broke the bedroom window and got in, Bill Raithby climbed the stairs and threw the loop of the rope to Tom Harrison who was standing on the bed and he slipped the loop over the animals horns, a light rope was also attached to one of the beasts hind legs to encourage it to walk backwards, meanwhile the frenzied animal was struggling to get free and broke many things in the process. When all was ready gentle pulling was exerted on the ropes and the animal very slowly responded and backed down the stairs. The filth and damage was indescribable. Meanwhile our lady had had to have a little more revival spirit and was by this time in no fit state for anything, she was helped into Mrs Gooses shop to sleep it off. Meanwhile willing hands with buckets of water and brushes cleaned up the worst of the mess and various ladies around and about helped clean up the house and so ended a hot summer afternoon.

Boston celebrates the relief of Mafekin

Lord Baden-Powell

Lord Baden-Powell, although outnumbered, defended Mafeking for 218 days during the Boer War and when the town was finally relieved in May 1900 by a British force the whole of Britain, including Boston, went wild with rejoicing...........

The Royal Standard floated from the Municipal Buildings, a Union Jack was hoisted on the tower of the Stump and flags were raised on other public buildings. Men, Women and Children donned red, white and blue rosettes and ribbons, horses, carts and carriages were adorned with smaller editions of the national flag. Children marched through the street bearing banners and singing patriotic songs, men congregated in public places and indulged in much hand shaking and the bells of the Stump rang out all day. In the evening the band of the Artillery Volunteers paraded the town playing patriotic music.

The Market Place, High Street, Bargate and West Street were all adorned, one of the premises in the Market Place being literally covered in Union Jacks, the letters "V R" were formed in fairy lights on the front of the building and illuminated at night.

The news formed the one topic of conversation, Near the Town Bridge, Mr. Fred Parker sang the National Anthem with band accompaniment, and the incident roused the hundreds of spectators.

The following Thursday was Queen Victoria's birthday and the two events were celebrated together on this day. Proceedings opened at 10.54 a.m. when the band of the 1st. Lincolnshire Voluntary Artillery played The National Anthem, Rule Britannia and Soldiers of the Queen from the Stump tower. In the Market Place later in the afternoon was an Orchestral Band and a parade of the Artillery and Rifle Volunteers and a grand parade of cyclists, motor cars, pony traps, ponies, riders in costume and machines and traps artistically decorated. A concert and variety entertainment in the Market Place were followed by the ascent of fire balloons from Bargate Green. The cattle market was illuminated and there were fireworks and rockets followed by a huge bonfire on Bargate Green. And the memorable day concluded with three ringing cheers for the Queen and three for Baden-Powell.

Goings on in Bargate

When I was young I remember sheep, pigs, cows and chickens being sold down Bargate but that has all gone now along with the sale of slaves and women, read on..........................................

In 1833 J.Martin, who was second master of the Grammar School, described the Boston May Fair of the 1400's as follows.

"In an open space adjoining Austin Friary, called Archery Ground, feats of truly English sport was celebrated in which all classes joined. Prize-fighting, or the science of defence, the professors of which were incorporated by royal patent, had its theatre near the archery ground. Preparations were also made for baiting a Bull on Bargate Common, as soon as the bustle of the beast mart had somewhat subsided. Throughout the whole of these scenes occasional booths presented themselves, on the outside of which was chalked in large characters "Wine, Ale, Sack."

The only revolting spectacle in the fair was the common exposure and sale of slaves, or villeins as they were called, a common practice in the times of which we write. These unfortunate beings were arranged, like beast in a stall, in a booth erected for the purpose just outside the Bar-gate, each one having an iron collar rivetted round his neck, on which was engraven his own name and that of his owner. The price of an ordinary slave was, in the year 1400, one mark, or 13s 4d."

 Mr. Walter Whyers, writing in 1934, says that at one time it was no uncommon practice for a man to put a halter around his wifes neck, lead her to the appointed spot in Bargate Green and sell her for half a crown. His father remembered an amusing story of one such sale. A man had taken his wife to Bargate Green, put the halter about her neck, and sold her to another man. As the wife-seller took the halter from his wife's neck he gave her a flick across the back with it and said, " You can now go, you - I've had enough of you." The buyer then took the matter in hand, and stripping off his coat said, " Keep your hands off her, she's mine now." He then gave the woman's former husband a sound thrashing.

Before and After

A few pictures to show how Boston has changed.

Bargate Bridge. The Queens Head Hotel on the left is gone and is replaced by an undertakers and the buildings to the right were demolished to allow for bridge and road widening.

The Old Town Bridge. The little tobacconist kiosk was previously a watchmans hut and the building to the left of it (now a chinese restaurant) was the old Boot's the Chemist shop. The old bridge was replaced by the one below in 1913.

The junction of Bridge Street and High Street. The two buildings facing have been replaced by a pub and a kebab shop and the bow windowed shop on the right has long gone and is also a fast food shop.

Thankfully this building in the Market Place hasn't changed too much, except for the ugly hole in the wall cash machine.

High Street. Once one of the main routes into town, with busy two-way traffic, it is now a one way street. A lot of the upper parts of the buildings are untouched which sadly, can't be said of the lower parts.

Market Place shop. This shop next to The Still pub in the Market Place is now a bookies shop.

This building in Wide Bargate was, for many years, the home of the local newspaper "The Standard". It has recently been used as a small supermarket for Somerfield's, the Co-op and Morrison's.