When I Was A Lad Part Two

Fair do’s I got right into the memory banks in my last post – When I Was A Lad. In an inspirational piece of continuity, carry on reading for, wait for it……When I Was A Lad Part Two. I’m very conscious that if I’m not careful, such a thread could turn into a mini War and Peace. So, let’s have a bit of a think and just continue my recollections of some of the businesses in Saltney when I was a lad. As anyone will remember, the previous post recalled some great Country Maid Bakeries memories. But what of some of the other businesses in Saltney in days gone by?

Continue to read and I’ll give a mention to those I remember. This is not to say the list is exhaustive. Far from it. It is merely a recollection of my own memories. As I said, When I Was A Lad Part Two.

When I Was A Lad Part Two

It was always one of the highlights of the day for me. At 4:30 pm the sound of hooters going off. The sound that signaled the end of the working day for so many. What a good time for a young boy to sit on the gate at the end of his family home’s garden and watch in awe at the mass of people making their way up St David’s Terrace either by push bike, or to walk the short distance home, or to make their way to the bus stops at the end of “The Terrace.”

There seemed to be hundreds of workers, eagerly making their way home. But where did they all come from? They all made their way from over the railway lines at the bottom of the Terrace. On the other side of the railway lines where you could find a wide variety of work places. I can’t remember them all but places like No Nail Boxes; the Rustproof and Colas to name a few that spring to mind.

I also remember during the day there was a steady procession of heavy duty wagons making their way to the bottom of the Terrace. Once they got there, Hughie would pop out from his little wooden hut alongside the rail tracks and do whatever he needed to do before opening the gates either side of the tracks. From there the wagons safely negotiated the rest of their journey to whatever factory they were needed at. Again, there seemed loads of wagons every day. Fascinating stuff for a young, inquisitive boy.

So Many More Businesses

The old businesses weren’t only to be found over the Terrace railway lines though. There were loads dotted about all over Saltney. I mentioned Country Maid Bakeries in my last post. And right next to them was a scrap metal place that I can’t remember the name of. And next to that was a car repair garage with a petrol forecourt that later went on to become Quicks for Ford.

Carry on along the High Street and before you get to the ever popular Corner Pin, you used to find G.T. Owen, a well known cash and carry outlet.

I know there are quite a few small businesses in and around Moorcroft Mews and Marley Way nowadays, but I can’t remember which businesses were there “when I was a lad?” I do remember though that my late father used to paint some of the signs for Mr. Moorcroft’s businesses. And I do also remember Lovatt’s the butchers in Vicky Road. Top butchers without a doubt.

I’m not sure of the brand name of the convenience shop that was at the end of Vicky Road opposite Lovatt’s, but it was always known as “The Top Shop” in our youth. A regular stop off for sherbet fountains, Fruit Salad sweets and footie cards with a piece of chewing gum in them.

Across the road and a bit further up. Lucky’s the Chinese takeaway. Wow!! Just wow!! Their takeaways were off the scale. So, so good.

And what was the little tuck shop called right by St. Anthony’s school called? It was like a room in a house converted into a sweet or tuck shop. Although we were too young, they used to sell Park Drive and Woodbine cigarettes loose in a paper bag. The teachers used to send some of the older kids to buy five or so for them on occasions.

When I Was A Lad Part 2 With Even More Memories

Readers who know their Saltney geography with know we are now heading towards Top Saltney. The part of Saltney in England and under Chester Council and not Flintshire. In fact smack bang on the border on Boundary Lane itself. There were a variety of businesses down Boundary Lane. One I can remember was an old established business called Chester Chain. Back in the days when Saltney had quite a bit of “watery” business going on in River Lane on The Dee, Chester Chain as manufacturer’s of chains and anchors, would have been a crucial part of that niche I imagine. Chester Chain are still going strong down the road in Bretton by the way.

Whoa, whoa!! Back up a bit. I almost forgot to mention Cluttons the abattoir. That was set back off the road before you got to Boundary Lane. On the other side of the road in fact. Where you will find some of the Brymau units nowadays. Another big employer where sadly lives were lost in an explosion in the early 60’s.

Last But Not Least (For Now?)

Before my last shout out, can anyone remember the name of the business on the left hand side just under the railway bridge (Flintshire Saltney side) right by the old tram lines? And what was the name of the small bookies directly opposite virtually carved into the stone of the railway bridge itself? Anyone remember the name of the pub on the corner of River Lane opposite The Anchor?

Right, last but not least in my “When I Was A Lad Part Two” ramblings…..er, recollections, I must give a special shout out to Morgan’s Bike Shop. What an incredible local family run business for 100 years plus. Right on the corner of Chester Street and Curzon Street, people from Saltney and further beyond used to carry their bikes up those few steps to enter into a special shop that offered a special service.

Some great memories there of some great businesses. I know I’ve missed a fair few out but as I say, this is not an exhaustive list. Just my own humble recollections. I hope you enjoyed reading about my “When I Was A Lad Part Two” snippets as much as I enjoyed writing about them.

Happy days indeed. Some of what I miss most from my Saltney days.

Chester Lifestyle Blog Posts

Thanks for reading my latest blog post – When I Was A Lad Part Two. Some more memories of some great Saltney businesses. I hope you enjoyed reading really When I Was A Lad Part Two.   

To see all of my other blog posts on a variety of topics, then visit HERE.

And going off on a complete tangent and as this is Chester related website. Here’s another “help support a local small business” section. And somewhere you can shop safely and securely. 

As This Is A Chester Related Website

As this is a Chester related website, you may be looking for the ideal Chester related gift for your loved ones. If so, then have a look at my Chester section of my new Etsy store. You can find out more about my Etsy store HERE.

Plenty of originally created downloadable digital artwork for you to have a look at HERE. And, as I say, a variety of Chester related products to choose from. Go on….you know you want to!!

Simple, instantly downloadable images – the ideal gift for all occasions.