Bedford
General History
Bedford 1920-1939 by Mr. Frank Richards

Bedford > General History > Reminiscences> Frank Richards

The Neighbourhood

As Little Grove PLace is such a small street we are a very close community, and on very good terms with our immediate neighbours. In fact so close was this affinity that if you went to call on the Wilson's next door you just walked in without even knocking. Few of the homes changed hands during my youngest years and I felt that the neighbours had always been there. We were, of course, obliged to go along the Grove if we went anywhere, and I think as far as character is concerned it can match any other street in the town. Architecturally it is most attractive, but in my early days we were quite oblivious to that. It was primarily our playground and we fought out many a football match there. Traffic hardly existed and a parked car was a rare novelty. Besides being our Wembley it was also our Lords with a convenient lamp-post serving as a wicket. We seldom played in Little Grove Place because three of its residents were postmen, who among them appeared to sleep the clock round. We could hardly begin without being reprimanded, because Will or WaIt or Herbert was trying to get some sleep. Another obstacle to football was the presence outside number eleven of a large horse and dray. Its driver was Mr.Wykes who worked for Gent Brothers, manufacturers of soft drinks who had their works in Ram Yard.  The Grove had only one shop: Wilmer’s, a dairy. For its everyday requirements the street had to rely on Newnham Street; which in those days boasted a grocer, a fish-and-chip shop, an ironmonger, a baker, a cobbler, a barber and two general stores. All these, with the exception of the fish shop have now disappeared.  "The Three Cups" in Newnham Street was the pub for the Grove's inhabitants, and it was managed by Ted Rainbow, who so identified himself with it that it was known locally as "Old Ted's". He was a most efficient and was most particularly stringent in applying the licensing laws. Promptly at ten o'clock "time" was called, the towels went up and the door was closed.  Before I leave the Grove I must point out that at that time it was perhaps the most democratic street in the town. I cannot think of any other that could count among its residents, a dustman, an architect, a decorator, an accountant, several labourers and a professor of music. But that is what the Grove did.  As I was a pupil at Goldington Road School I was very familiar with Castle Road. Architecturally it does not seem to have changed much even to-day, as it is one of the few parts of the town that have been mercifully spared the attentions of the developer and the town planner. Many of the shops have changed hands, but unlike Newnham Street one can still satisfy one's everyday needs down there.

"If one compares Russell Park with the popular conception of a municipal park it was - and still is - a very modest affair. The cafe next to it in those days was owned by a man with the unlikely name of Tisinbon. Near to the cafe was a large four-wheeled gun captured from the Turks in the First World War, and on the opposite side of the road was a smaller gun from the CrimeanWar. Both were taken to be melted down during the last war. The only drastic change that seems to have happened in the park is the thinning out of the shrubberies which is particularly true of the area next to Shaftesbury Avenue, known as "the valley".   

The Castle Road neighbourhood, like many other parts of the town, has had its influx of immigrants, and I think it is true to say that they have been absorbed and settled down comfortably. When one considers the parochial nature of the town in those far-off days who would ever have imagined that some shops were destined to be run by Italians or Asians? But the complete integration of the area was brought home to me not long ago when, in a shop, my goods were wrapped and my money taken by some dark-eyed Mediterranean beauty. But bless her, she had the most gorgeous Bedfordshire accent!

Page last updated: 22nd January 2014