This article was written by Sylvia Adams (née Palmer) and was originally published by Oxhey Village Environment Group in October 1996. At the time of writing her article, Sylvia was living in North Devon. Her words remain unedited.
We would be interested to see photos of Sylvia, details of her life after writing this article, or memories of the shop from other members of the Palmer family. We would also like to more information on the people mentioned in this article. If you were a Palmers customer, please get in contact with your recollections of visiting the shop. Please contact publicity@oveg.org.
When first married in 1922, my parents had a village store in Woodside, Leavesden. In 1935 it was sold and my father then went into wholesale greengrocery, later managing a grocers in Pinner Road (next to Pinner Hall, opposite the old Co-Op). After that he started his own business again – in a lock-up shop in Capel Road (which today is the pet shop, next to the Handy Stores). From there, he moved over to 27 Villiers Road, which was now empty, having been, for many years, a drapers Clissolds and Spiers.
In 1938 Palmer’s was established. The staff in those days lived in – behind and above the shop. The barn behind the premises had a baker’s oven, but I’m not sure when this was in use. During the war, the barn was used for stores and as a garage – for a pony and trap. This was acquired to deliver orders, as the van and car became redundant with petrol rationing. We collected orders on bikes and then delivered, on the pony and trap – as far as Hampermill Lane. Customers also came to the shop and could place orders there.
Ration books came into being and I spent many hours counting the coupons with my mother, these had to be sent back to the food ministry. On the shop forefront placards were placed each day with special offers. There were also advertising boards for Watford’s cinema. We received two free tickets to the cinema for this service each week.
Bacon was always the speciality of the shop – mainly Danish. Hams were cooked in the kitchen; cheese, butter, margarine and lard were all weighed by hand. Sugar and rice, etc. went into blue paper bags.
The shop was open from 8:00am to 6:00pm, closing at 9:00pm on Saturdays. Wednesday was half day. On winter days, oil stoves were lit to keep the shop warm – and also to enable us to prepare hot cocoa or for elevenses. This smell still lingers with me today.
My Father and Mother always worked hard and all the staff were excellent workers – but apart from this they were good friends and even today I have close contact with a few, hence I heard about OVEG.
The Staff of Palmer’s over the years included:
- Albert Sparrow
- Ellen Dilks
- Gladys Boultwood
- Mr. Hart
- Charlie Hill
- Paddy
- Mr. Bennet
- Eva Urlwin
- Emmie Waller
- Ivy Wells
- Peter
- Ruby Coles
- Olive Wilson
- Keith Munday
- Len
My apologies for not remembering all the names fully.
Sylvia Adams
October 1996
Further information
E.S Palmers was established in 1938 and operated until 1996. Today, the building that once housed Palmers has since been split into separate properties. This includes 47 Capel Road (currently a herbal clinic) and 27 Villiers Road (a hairdressers).
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