Kelly's directory Bedford

[Cas (stallc)]

Kelly's Directory, please.  This is a long shot but wondered if there is any info of this shop still trading in the dates you have on look up offers. Address I have is just Bedford

F. Gibbons (Name is Florence)  Looks like a greengrocers around 1908 - 1920.  Put photograph of shop on photo board for dating

Many thanks if you can help

Cas

[johnP-bedford]

here's the photo ...

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,261239.0.html

[johnP-bedford]

Next door is Stonebridges, printers, 4 Midland Road Bedford, still trading in 1936 Kellys, and if I remember were still trading in the 1960's - opposite British Home Stores. In 1836 at no 2 Midland Road was Welch's shoe repair service. There is no Gibbons trading as fruit merchants in 1936 Kellys. 

[Cas (stallc)]

Thanks John

Address is great, what area of Bedford is 2 Midland Rd?  Not knowing the area can you narrow for me?

Cas

[johnP-bedford]

It's in Bedford town centre; where the Harpur centre shopping complex is now, which is in the old Bedford Modern school building.

Interestingly I have a Bedford in pictures book by Richard Wildman (our local historian) published 1995, it has a picture of Welch's cobblers at 2 Midland road with the same shop front. It was demolished in 1962.

If I had a scanner, I'd scanner in the morning, but I don't sorry... John

[Cas (stallc)]

Thanks John local knowledge is priceless.

Where are the main Cems?  parents died 1910 & 1915 have 1901 address, are there any family history libraries in the area I can contact that may give more info? Electrol etc?

Cas

[johnP-bedford]

William Welch, bootmaker, at 2 Midland Road is listed in 1914 Kellys, as per

http://www.historicaldirectories.org/

However in 1910, from same source, is Mrs Minnie Betts, confectioner - hence the chocolate adverts

& in 1903 is William Harvey, confectioner

[johnP-bedford]

who was Florrie's father ? was it Arthur ?

an Arthur Goodman, fruiterer / greengrocer, was listed at 53 & 84 Midland Road. Bedford in 1903 Kellys.

[Cas (stallc)]

Perhaps she only ran the shop for short time?  Her father was Albert Richard Gibbons. Mother Emma.  On 1901 she was down as no occ at home. Are there any fH libraries that give electrol info?

Cas