A photograph showing Featherstones of Belasis local shop, it is the equivalent of ‘Arkwrights’ from Open All Hours but based in Haverton Hill, you could buy almost anything that was used for day to day living from these shops, from bundles of firewood to light the kitchen fire, to a loaf of bread and a tin of beans for the kids tea and whilst you were there could also buy a tin of Mansion polish to buff up the utility dining table and granny’s mahogany whatnot, every community had a similar shop and I remember seeing rows of prams outside and young mothers inside having a chat, including my mother and her friends.
There was a similar shop in Cowpen Lane that may also be called Featherstones but I am not too sure of that, I’ve no doubt that someone will be able to set me straight…
Photograph and details courtesy of Bruce Coleman.
I lived at 30 Belasis avenue there were shops across the road one was Mary Kay’s. there was also a Barber next door across an ally. On Cowpen Lane there was a shop owned by Mr & Mrs Meek, I went to Haverton School with their sons Raymond & Dennis Meek.
Yeah Molly Marshalls, Cowpen Lane I remember it well
My dad, Tommy King would take me to the barbers at the circle, a piece of wood was placed across the chair arms and I was sat upon it. You would be asked what style of hair cut you would like and no matter what you asked for you got a short back and sides! Brylcreem was the reward.
Thank you so much for posting this fabulous picture of Featherstones… it took me right back to my childhood. It used to be on the Circle and I would rollerskate there (lovely smooth area to skate on) to buy things for mam (including 5 Woodbines!!!! haha). I remember those ladies, loved going in there. One time, I found a 10 shilling note outside the shop and handed it in. Found out later that my friend had dropped it and I had saved her from a “good hiding”. The shop I remember looking like Featherstones was SNOWDENS – does anyone have any memories of that shop? I would love to see pics of it too! Mr. Snowden would deliver groceries in his white car. Mrs. Snowden would give me (as a baby and small child) cookies when mam was in there and take me out back for a cuddle. Always prams would be parked outside. When my baby sister was born, mam once left her outside Snowdens, she forgot she was there in her pram – gran was babysitting us and asked “where’s the baby?”… of course the pram was still there with babe inside (can imagine doing that these days??). Such happy memories of Haverton Hill, such a great community to grow up in, the people were the cream of the crop!
Hi my name is Syd my family emigrated to Australia in the 1960’s we used to live at 25 St. Vincent St Haverton Hill.When I googled the area I was amazed to see it all gone, I now believe it was a result of the ICI.
My father also named Syd Swan worked there for many years before his transfer to the ICI in Villawood Sydney Australia. he also worked in the shipyard.
So many memories come back after viewing this site. Thank you.
In the 1950s,the shop on cowpen lane,nearest to the new bridge belonged to Marshalls.I went to school with Frankie.
I remember it well. I used to help out with Mrs Marshall’s grandson (Pierre?). We used to go to his allotment to collect turnips for the shop. Mrs Marshall was a very kind lady. She used to fill up a bags of sweets for me and my brother Paul!
I remember it too, I lived in Hood Crescent, and used to walk the pipeline up to Cleveland, where the shop was. I also went to school with Gloria Featherstone, their daughter.
The shop at Cowpen Estate was called Marshalls.
I remember this shop when I lived in St Vincents street HH. Picture also shown in Colin H Hatton’s book Haverton Hill . Port Clarence to Billingham.
It’s a great little book full of pictures and happy memories.