Twiddy's Undertakers.

Born in Botolph Street Boston in 1878, Henry Twiddy started work at an early age cleaning boots at Rainey and Son's factory before he went to school in the mornings. At the age of 14 he became an errand boy for Messrs. Scrimshaw, house furnishers, Dolphin Lane (below) for 3 shillings and sixpence a week.

A year later he became apprenticed as a cabinet maker with Simpson and Son's and when his apprenticeship was completed he went to Newcastle and later spent a year with a firm in Louth before returning to Simpson's, of Boston, (below) with whom he spent the next 22 years, the last ten as foreman.

Mr. Twiddy had always had the ambition to start his own business, and eventually he bought the premises of Mr. W. Darby, undertaker and art dealer, in Wormgate, where he continued the business of undertaker and converted the shop into a furniture dealers emporium.  The only help he had at this time was from his brother, Mr. Sidney Twiddy, but later the showrooms were much enlarged (by 1924 he occupied numbers 41, 43 and 45 Wormgate) and modernised and his two sons entered the business, and he employed a cabinet maker, an apprentice and an upholsterer.
In 1893 Henry became a member of the Grove Street Congregational Church, became a Deacon in 1915 and became treasurer of the church (below) in 1934, he was also a member of the choir for many years.

J. Carr and Son

J Carr and Son is an old business in Boston. It was founded in 1909 by Joseph Carr and started life at 70 Bargate End as a small ironmongers.

Once established, the shop prospered and neighbouring properties were purchased to enlarge the premises. Joseph was a cabinet maker and joiner by profession and was able to use his skills to diversify into undertaking, picture framing, glazing (including motor vehicles) and coach building. The 1960’s saw the acquisition of new properties round the corner at 10 and 11 Horncastle Road, Boston.

Carr's in the 1970's.

Lawnmower sales took off and was soon backed up servicing ,spares and sharpening being offered. Growth in this area lead to the re-development of the Horncastle Road site.
Increased competition from D.I.Y. superstores began to effect the tool and ironmongery shop and business became much harder. The mower shop faired much better, going from strength to strength and Carr's continues trading in Boston to this day.

The Horncastle Road site.