A photograph of nearby St Helens street shops, which included G Deeks estate agent, King and Waters optician, and R Bartlett hairdresser, appeared in Days Gone By recently, writes David Kindred.
Anne Horlock, who grew up in this now demolished Wells Street, has written in with her memories of the area from over half a century ago.
She said: “I was born at 1 Wells Street and I lived there until they demolished the street in 1955.
“Wells Street was a close knit community, there was always someone to give help if needed.
“We all used to play in the street and made our own enjoyment, on November 5 we would go to a big bonfire on Rope Walk.
“My best friend was Annette (Andy) Carpenter, who lived at 5 Wells Street with her brother Bobby and sister Mary.
“We used to play on the Rope Walk where the college now stands, the houses had been knocked down.
“My other friend was Daphne Wilson.
“Other families I remember were the Vinyards, the Smiths, the Wraggs, the Plowman’s, June East and family, the Emenys and “Old Lady Annie” (Angelina) who was eccentric, wearing one black boot and one brown and her coat was tied up with string.
“The Wragg’s owned horse riding stables on Bucklesham Road, showing that Wells Street had a mix of wealthy residents as well as those less well off.
“Many of the house in Wells Street were privately owned and rented out, mum’s house belonged to the park keeper of Christchurch Park.
“The Salvation Army visited the street every Sunday and all of the children were encouraged to join in singing hymns.
“Most of us attended the Rope Walk Sunday school, one of the teachers was Miss Woolnough.”
She continued: “In Wells Street there was a small workshop and a builders yard.
“On the corner of the Street was Eastern Radio wireless engineers, Jimmy Colthorpe’s fish and chip shop.
“There was also Prime’s shoe repair shop, which was a dark and dingy place, Gardiner’s Furniture, Churchyard’s newsagent, a wool shop, Lipton’s, an Ironmongers on the corner of Argyle Street and a laundry on the opposite corner.
“Opposite St Helens Church was Abbott’s greengrocers and on the corner of Grimwade Street was a hardware shop.
“The best known shop was Minters, which sold sweets and all sorts of household goods.”
If you have memories of life in the past that you would like to share, write to David Kindred, Days Gone By, Ipswich Star/EADT, Portman House, 120 Princes Street, Ipswich, IP1 1RS or email him.
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