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Dunstable Memories by Douglas Darby
First published in the Dunstable & District Local History
Society Newsletter
No. 10, September 1998.
Douglas Darbv was born in Dunstable and has lived in the town virtually all his life. He is a founder member of the History Society and has taken part in many town activities, including a major role, behind the scenes, in the big Dunstable Pageant of 1963. He is a keen and talented musician, playing percussion and tenor saxophone, and has taken part in innumerable concerts all over the area until very recently. By profession he was a Chartered Surveyor mainly concerned with Planning and Development, both urban and rural. After six years war service he worked locally, then was appointed Chief Assistant Planning Officer responsible for development control in Hemel Hempstead New Town, a post he held until retiring.
Colin Bourne.
Members have heard personal recollections from many local people and the part they played in or contributed to the history of our town. The "Yesteryear" pictures in the Gazette have also prompted other memories so perhaps some of mine will be of interest. I will restrict them to personalities I actually knew, mostly, though not necessarily, from the period between the wars.
One was the News vendor known only as 'Blakie' who had his stand on the corner of West Street (photo). He knew which paper his many customers wanted and would have them ready as they approached, even those in cars. He would weave his way across the street, take the few coppers which most papers cost in those days and be back again at his box within seconds. Imagine that today, when, even with pedestrian crossings, it is somewhat hazardous to go from one side to the other, let alone sell papers on the way.
"Blakie" asleep in his newspaper kiosk at the corner of West
Street.
Photograph by O. Roucoux 1984
This corner was also the place to go in spring to patronise the Hokey Pokey man with his varieties of homemade ice cream. When he eventually disappeared his place was taken by the Walls blue and white chequered tricycle - "stop me and buy one".
Still at the crossroads another outstanding man, in all senses of that word, was P.C. King. Always immaculately turned out and wearing white gloves and armlets he stood in the middle of the road directing the ever increasing traffic. His signals were unmistakable, and if he saw a group of youths on the corner he would stop everything in all directions, walk over and move them on. If he sensed any trouble brewing it was immediately dealt with by a gentle but very firm clip on the ear!
Church Street, much narrower then, provided many interesting characters. Two were landlords of licensed premises. The aptly named 'First and Last' by the old railway station was well hosted by one Arthur Coe, a large jolly man. At the rear of the premises was a large hall which today we would call a Function Room. It was not then dignified with such a name but served as the venue for all kinds of celebrations. It was regularly booked for a dancing school run by a very personable young lady - Hilda Squires. The Royal Oak, opposite Priory Road, was home to a Mr. Kibble and his daughter Ren, another very accomplished and widely acclaimed dancing instructress and performer. Her classes were held at the former Temperance Hotel run by Hedley Mainwaring. This was at the lower end of West Street, now redeveloped with the video shop and the currently vacant 'Bargain Store'.
Just beyond the Royal Oak was Field's coal yard. Walter was an outstanding Christian character (he was for many years Secretary to the Men's Bible Class at the Square Methodist Church). His fine baritone voice was in demand at the New Year old folks tea, which would not he complete without his rendering of the Negro Spiritual "The Old Umbrella". It was not unknown for him to drop an odd extra hag of coal on the doorstep of an old person who otherwise would he unable to keep the fire going.
A little further along was The Dell - home to George 'Dobbin' Holt. Officially described as a Game Dealer he had diverse activities including that of the local bookmaker. He was outspoken and with his rather powerful delivery he enlivened the proceedings of the Town Council to which he had been easily elected.
Almost opposite was Fred Petit's nursery - his holding extended to St Peter's Road and Priory Road corner where Priory Court flats now stand. With several glasshouses and the large area of open cultivation he could and did provide everything for the garden. He was ably assisted by his hard working wife who managed the shop. Their son was more academically inclined, an outstanding chemist and scientist he left the area to go to London and the business was taken over by Learmonths.
While we are near the Priory Church two rectors come to mind. The first, Canon Baker, was a long serving incumbent from 1903 to 1924. He acted as unofficial 'Chaplain' to Miss Whitworth's prep school which was then accommodated above the stable block of the vicarage, fronting West Street at the corner of Icknield Street. His flat brimmed sombrero type hat identified his calling.
A later personality, in the early 60s, was Rev. French, often seen without a hat, and his robe flying behind him as he cycled furiously down West Street - he was nearly always behind time for services.
In a quite different vein, one of the many decorators was one George Burnham. Outside his shop in Albion Street hung a large paint kettle with all colours of paint dripping down the sides - not exactly an encouraging indication that he would do a clean and tidy job!
There are so many others who come to mind but I will conclude with a 'thumb nail sketch' of my father Horace. It is not possible to do more than refer briefly to the many aspects of his life which only one of the family knows in detail, how proud he was living in, and serving his home town.
He was born in a small terraced cottage in Chapel Walk which is now the open area of Ashton Square in front of Martin's shop. As the family grew - six brothers and two sisters, they moved to a larger house in Church Street and all, except Kit and Sid, left to follow their various trades and occupations, some in Leighton Buzzard, others in various parts of London. My father stayed in Dunstable and after leaving the Methodist Day School he started as assistant junior teacher at Ashton School in Church Street. He intended to become a full time schoolmaster but for various reasons this did not materialise. By this time he had married and moved to St Peter's Road, later to Priory Road, where my sister Jean was born.
Being interested in sport, particularly football and athletics, he signed for a season with Luton Town. This connection with Luton and Mr. Fred Creak in Dunstable led him into the staple industry - hat manufacture. Starting in the office and showroom he progressed to become Managing Director of Currant & Creak's factory in Bute Street until he retired. He was a prominent member of various Masonic Lodges rising to Grand Master in Luton and was a founder member of the Old Dunstablians Lodge, being also one of the Governors of the Grammar school.
A keen member of Rotary, he was also associated with a number of different clubs and associations in the area. Together with my mother he travelled widely to conferences in this country and overseas - I recall one especially to Czechoslovakia. For a short time he served on the Town Council and was on the subcommittee which negotiated the move of A.C. Sphinx (later Delco) to the town and also the purchase of Grove House for offices for the Town Council. He was deeply involved in local politics and, as a member and sometime Chairman of the Conservative Club, he was also no mean player on the billiard and snooker tables. During the war he was major in charge of the local unit of the Home Guard. My parents by now were living in Downs Road.
He had a fine bass / baritone voice, was an accomplished soloist, and took leading parts in several productions of the original Operatic & Dramatic Society. This brings back memories of happy hours with friends in the Society for which my aunt Kit, a school and music teacher at Chiltern Road school (now Chiltern Radio studios) was rehearsal pianist. I suppose with such a background my own hobby of music making is understandable.
One particular event comes to mind when he was chosen as one of the contestants in the Wilfred Pickles radio show recorded on the old Town Hall and broadcast nationwide ("Give him the money Mabel!")
By the way, as the result of a heavy accidental blow heading a football in his early teens, my father went through his busy life, including driving long distances in the family car, with the sight of only one eye.
(Horace Darby used to walk from his house to catch the morning train to Luton from Church Street station. It was a known fact that the train never went without him - not until HJ (as he was known) had completed the walk down and taken his seat would the train leave, such was his personality. Colin Bourne)
Page last updated: 27th January 2014