Thanks to Captain Chaos for these Abingdon Ghost Signs, and background information.
The first sign is the old Hygienic Laundry on the corner of Wilsham Road.
Second is on the side of the house to the right of the entrance of Sydenham’s (ex Fred Knights), on Ock Street, and says ‘H Giles the builder’. At one time this house was a small shop run by Dick and Dolly, relatives of the Fitchetts who operated a Rag & Bone yard just across the road. The yard has gone, replaced by houses aptly named Fitchett yard.
The third is Brake Bros, seed and corn merchants. They operated in the yard at the back of the chip shop (once Dick Reeves) in an old garage that was once a coach company.
The fourth is clear to see. Edward street was famous as the only street in the world where there was day and night at the same time. Day’s the Baker at one end and Knights D.I.Y at the other.
Finally, the wording is badly faded but from memory it depicted the businesses of: P.L Barrett the undertaker, Pollards the plumbers, and E H Enoch’s coal merchants? It’s on the corner of Conduit road and Ock St.
Not Brake Bros – it was Blake Bros., seed & corn merchants.
Typo – fat fingers-small I phone- sorry
Nice to see these old signs from before when Abingdon, prominent village In Berkshire, became Dormitory Town in Oxon. Thanks for the memory-jog.
There was often a welcome blast (waft) of warm air from the Hygenic Laundry when jogging back to school cold and wet from the boathouse.
One of my stronger memories is the weekly aroma of Hops from the brewery. Was it on a Tuesday ? If you clycled to the Station yard, that smell would mingle with Steam Coal and hot oil – Unique !
Happy days.
Great Pics! Thanks for posting 🙂
Mixed with Manure on Market days, Station Yard….
I’ll be sharing this with residents at Old Station House. It’s sure to spark some memories for residents who have lived in Abingdon for all or most of their lives.
Apologies for HiJack, Beales classified as Ghost sign?.
Interesting article in Oxford Mail. Beales was a sublet, doomed to failure??.
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/15019279.Department_store_is_gone___but_it_could_become_a_furniture_store/?ref=mr&lp=10
The building that Days was in was also a storage unit for F. Knight & Sons for many years, before it became the model shop.
My grandfather john penny owned this business. My father Don Penny took over. Remember my Dad playing 7 aside rugby near the river.