Shopkeepers Fined for Selling Overpriced Sweets

Leighton Buzzard High Street c.1900 (Wood and Company cooks, caterers and confectioners at number 44) [Z1432/3/1/2/13]

Tuesday 9th April 1918: An unusual case was heard today at the Leighton Buzzard Petty Sessions court, where four defendants were charged with selling sweets at prices exceeding those allowed under the Sugar (Confectionery) Order 1917. Joseph Wood of Messrs Garner, Wood and Company, Leighton Buzzard, was said to have overcharged Superintendent Matthews for fruit bonbons on March 28th, Susan Parsons and Mary Read for toffee on March 30th, and Oliver Osborn for sugared almonds, also on March 30th. All four pleaded guilty. Superintendent Matthews said that while the Order had at first been strictly observed, a number of shopkeepers had raised prices and overcharging had now become widespread. Mrs Osborn [sic] said she had put her prices up because the wholesalers had charged more. Joseph Wood was fined £1 and the other three defendants ten shillings each.

Source: Luton News, 11th April 1918

Restrictions on the Use of Gas and Electricity

Dunstable Street, Ampthill c.1907 [AU46/4w]

Tuesday 2nd April 1918: A new order restricting the consumption of gas and electricity has come into force today. The rules introduced include:

•  No light is to be allowed in shop fronts unless approved by the police as necessary for serving customers inside the shop, or to illuminate a small sign indicating the shop is open.
• Inns, hotels, restaurants, and other public eating houses are not to provide hot meals between 9.30pm and 5am, with the exception of railway canteens, meals served to travelling soldiers and sailors, and certain private canteens.
• No gas or electricity is to be allowed in places of entertainment between 10.30pm and 1pm the following day, except for cleaning and rehearsals to which the public are not admitted.
• The “five-sixths restriction” on gas and electricity applies to London and a number of other counties including Bedfordshire. This states that “No person shall consume or cause or permit to be consumed in any one quarter of a year on any premises of which he is the occupier more than five-sixths of the amount of gas or electricity which was consumed on the same premises during the corresponding quarter of the years 1916 or 1917, whichever was the greater”.

 Source: Luton News, 28th March 1918

Promotion for Luton Soldier

Second Lieutenant Arthur Pollard

Saturday 9th March 1918: Arthur Pollard, one of three sons of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pollard of 44 Jubilee Street, Luton fighting with the British Army, has joined the growing number of Luton men who have been promoted from the ranks. Second Lieutenant Pollard attended St. Matthew’s School before taking a job at the High Town branch of the Luton Industrial Co-operative Society; when he enlisted in 1916 he was first provision hand and secretary to the Co-operative Grocery Employees’ Association. He attested under Lord Derby’s conscription scheme but was rejected as medically unfit. In May 1916 he joined the Royal Field Artillery at Biscot as a volunteer, and was subsequently transferred to the Middlesex Regiment. He was sent to France in September 1916 and rose to the rank of Corporal. Noticing the great interest Corporal Pollard took in his duties his commanding officer recommended him for a commission. After returning home and passing his examinations he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 18th December. In January he was posted to the Northumberland Fusiliers. He has a wife and child living at 177 Hitchin Road, Luton.

Source: Luton News, 7th March 1918

A Tale of Two Brothers

Billingsgate Market 1876 [Wikimedia]

Friday 7th April 1916: The County Appeals Tribunal held yesterday at Luton had to deal with a confusing case in which the papers of two brothers from Leighton Buzzard had become mixed. One of the brothers is married and the other single, but the Tribunal had some difficulty establishing which of them was which. After efforts were made by the applicant and his solicitor to establish his identity, the Tribunal agreed that the man whose appeal against military service they were considering was 24 years old, single and partly responsible for the support of another, younger brother and a sister. At the Local Tribunal his brother had been given four months’ exemption, but his own application had been dismissed.

The applicant said that he and his brother had two shops, a fish and game shop which they managed between them, and a fruit shop in another part of the town which was managed by their sister and had been started so that she could help to support herself. Three of their employees had left and enlisted, and although they had tried to find replacements they had been unable to do so; it was stated that if the applicant was not exempted the business would have to close. He acted as salesmen and delivered country orders on a motorcycle, while his brother attended Billingsgate market three times a week – the Tribunal were told this was absolutely necessary as “if you want good stuff you must go and choose it yourself, or you have anything palmed off on you”. However, a member of the Tribunal pointed out that many retail dealers, with considerably larger businesses, ordered their goods by telegraph. It was also suggested that if the applicant’s younger brother was employed by the business he could take over the motor cycle deliveries. The appeal was refused on the grounds that one of the brothers must go, and the applicant appeared the most suitable.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 7th April 1916

Christmas Gift Ideas

North Street, Leighton Buzzard c.1920 

(Croxfords centre right) [Z1306/72]

Friday 17th December 1915: For anyone considering what Christmas presents to buy for men at the Front or at home Mr. Leonard Croxford, tailor, clothier and outfitter of 44 North Street, Leighton Buzzard, has put forward a number of suggestions in an advertisement in the Leighton Buzzard Observer:

Remember the Boys at the Front

Get to know what most they need, then give it to them – a practical gift in the firing line will be triumph for the giver and a joy to the recipient. Here are a few suggestions.

Wool Jackets, Flannel Shirts,

Wool Socks, Scarves, Pants and Vests,

Gloves, Mittens, handkerchiefs, etc., etc.,

For the men who are still at home you are sure to find her just the things that will be appreciated –

GIFTS OF THE PRACTICAL KIND

We suggest Flannel Shirts, Pyjamas, Pants and Vests, Wool Socks, Fancy Cashmere ditto, Gloves, Neckwear, Collars, Braces, Motor Scarves, Mufflers, Handkerchiefs, Hats, Caps, Umbrellas, Raincoats, Macintoshes, Travelling Rugs, Dressing Gowns, Trouser Press and Stretchers, etc.

For those who would prefer something other than clothing the advertisement of Horace Edward Herington M.P.S., Chemist, of 16 Market Square may be helpful.

CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR GIFTS FOR SOLDIER FRIENDS

Safety Razors

Shaving Soap in Sticks

Pocket Shaving Mirrors

Metal Soap Cases

Body Belts

Trench Powder

Luxuries for the Tuck Box

Oxo Cubes

Tea Tabloids

Malted Milk Tablets

Milk Tablets

Café Au Lait

Mixed Sweets in Tins

Any parcel packed free of charge for post in the United Kingdom. If packed in canvas for abroad a small charge made for canvas.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 14th and 21st December 1915

Shop Early for Christmas

Bedford High Street c.1905 [Z1306/10/33/13]

Wednesday 8th December 1915: The Bedfordshire Times has asked its readers to shop early for Christmas, saying “To ‘Shop Early’ is to show true patriotism and to practice the most certain economy.” This year shopkeepers are labouring under unprecedented difficulties. Labour shortages are affecting every aspect of the retail business – production of goods, delivery to and by the shops, and dealing with customers. While most businesses have managed to obtain good supplies it will not be easy to replace these once sold. For example, the toys hand made by the new British toy making industry cannot be produced in the same quantities as the cheap toys previously imported from Silesia. Deliveries are often held up by the uncertainties of the railway system, where goods services are being curtailed due to the shortage of staff.

Shoppers are also being asked to shop earlier in the day. This would take the pressure off shop assistants, who often spend the first hour or two of the day with little to do and are then rushed off their feet for the rest of the day.  If shopping could be finished early in the evening it would also make delivery much easier. Fortunately small purchases are now generally being carried home but heavier and bulkier items still need to be delivered. The lighting restrictions now in place make it very much easier and safer if the shop vans can start their rounds earlier.

An anonymous Bedford shopkeeper has expressed his gratitude for this plea. Shopkeepers are finding it considerably harder to buy goods than to sell them. Seasonal parcels are often two or three months behind schedule, and goods handled in London or Manchester often take a fortnight to reach Bedford.  If customers shop early as far as possible matters will run far more smoothly and it will be to their own advantage to obtain their Christmas wants well in advance.

Source: Bedfordshire Times, 3rd and 10th December 1915