Lower Hamstead was where I was born and brought up for the first six years. Twice a week, two vans used to come through from Yarmouth – one was with the groceries from Harry Mills, the Grocers, and the other one was with paraffin and candles from Harwoods the ironmongers and hardware store. The driver of Harwoods van, as far as I remember was a tall, slimmish man and a flat cap and brown smock, a man called Ted Elderfield. Ron Wallis b 1941
Tag Archives: Harwoods
Eileen Smith, Blanche Kennard: Shops, The Square,Harwoods
Harwoods hardware shop in the Square – well it’s a wonder that when someone dropped a match the whole street didn’t go up, there was so much petrol everywhere. They had petrol pumps which swung across the pavement. The petrol at one time was brought across the Solent in barrels. Eileen Smith nee Lansdowne b 1921
Shops: Square 1930s with Harwoods van
Old Mr. Harwood was so big he used to block the whole doorway of the shop. Blanche Kennard nee Dore b 1923
Eileen Smith: Yarmouth Carnival 1930s – 70s
The Yarmouth Carnivals were a highlight of the year, always held on a Thursday, early closing day. There were maybe 4 bands, proper bands. They were wonderful .
Jazz band 1930s with Curly Jupe on accordion and Megan Cook vocals
The fishing competition on the Pier used to draw over a hundred rods. My Grandfather, Robert May, supplied the Rod for first prize.My aunt was asked if she’d like to keep up the tradition after he died, but she said no, it was the end of an era, and Harwood’s took over giving the prize.
Robert May awards prize rod for Carnival Fishing competition off Pier
Robert May awards the prize rod for the fishing competition on the pier
During Carnival Week there were harbour sports, greasy pole and swimming races off the Common. All the families joined in and won prizes too. Yarmouth was a town of families, now it’s a town of holiday homes. Eileen Smith nee Lansdowne b 1921