The great thing is people are exchanging memories. I really need to capture them all in some way or other.
Yesterday was a pretty miserable day weather-wise so no chance of a Raab Ramble. Today I have been on my first cycle ride for years as I recently got my old bike cleaned up. Let's just say after five miles in the saddle I ache in some very strange places and when I was climbing the stairs to get to the study my legs almost collapsed under me.
A couple of cups of coffee later I seem to have recovered although that old saddle just has to go!
Whilst I was on two wheels trying to avoid anyone and anything coming at me, I had to leave the photography to Anne who was out with her mobile phone and took the images at the top of this page. I hope you enjoy her nature images.
So back to our memory lane photographs. Lots of people have made requests for photographs of specific places. I have a few but will speak to my friend Gary Wyatt who is the village archivist. When this lockdown is over we will try to bring you a gallery of interesting photos from the archive.
In the meantime, below we have two photographs of what is now Dawson's Law Solicitors in Great Melton Road (close to the junction with Mill Road). This little building, which has been replaced by a brick build, has variously been a florist, a wool and craft shop and a sandwich shop. Our photographs show it as a craft shop and florists.
Just before the First World War the cycle shop was owned by Harry Childs and other members of the family ran this afterwards. Cycles were sold and repaired there. It later became Crossways Store and then the Post Office took it over and used it as a sorting office.
In our photograph, Harry Childs is standing in the doorway and Herbert Bailey is also pictured. This was the back of the shop and the photo was taken soon after the building was constructed. Harry Childs was killed in the war and the ownership passed on.
Harry's Father, William J, who was known locally as Childs the Snob, used the rear of the shop for boot and shoe making. When the floorboards were eventually lifted the under floor was covered with discarded shoe nails that had fallen through the boards.
The above information comes from my web site "Hethersett A Village at War" which looks at Hethersett from 1910 to 1950 and is available at https://hethersettatwar.weebly.com/hethersett-1910-1920.html