*VERY FEW PLACES LEFT FOR THE 2:30 PM WALK*
ADDITIONAL WALK AT 4:30 PM NOW AVAILABLE TO BOOK, PLEASE CONTACT FIONA ON THE DETAILS BELOW.
From small beginnings in the 1870’s High Brooms grew to be a thriving community. This Southborough Society guided walk highlights the history of many shops and small businesses which have now vanished. If you have ever wondered about the reason for some local street names or wanted to know more about Stewart Fish Shop (whose ghostly sign can be faintly made out at the junction of Stewart and High Brooms Road) do join us on this walk to find out more.
Hear the stories of the men and women who operated a wide variety of businesses over the past one hundred and fifty years or so, including the post office, pubs, shops, laundries, brick making, printing, cafes, nurseries, transport and haulage, even a private lending library. Some were successful enterprises which lasted many decades. Others were just fleeting. Discover more about the occupation of men and women in the Victorian censuses of the town. Hear about the ups and downs of businesses much valued by the local community because they provided day to day essentials for everyone and jobs for many. Find out too about less popular trades whose disappearance is probably not regretted! Discover the hidden history of present-day homes so altered that their varied past as the location of assorted thriving small businesses is virtually invisible.
Farrant’s wagon at Southborough Station, now High Brooms Station, early 20th century.
The topic of vanished shops and businesses is part of the family history for our walk leader, Fiona Woodfield, who is married to a great grandson of High Brooms' first postmaster.
This is a free event. By joining the Southborough Society (starting at £10 per year) you will be supporting us to continue organising events like these and many more. You can request a membership form here.
Meeting place: Corner of Nursery Road and Colebrook Road, TN4 9BS.
Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours
How to Book: Register your place from 1st September, please email fionahgwoodfield@outlook.com or telephone on 01892 544 429.
Maximum of 25 participants.