THE MARKET PLACE
The New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth front page
In the ancient Market
Place that seems to have been present since Great Yarmouth first began as a walled town, No. 1 The Market Place is
now the rebuilt post‑war version of the Gallon Pot public house.
before
WW2
This bears a stone
tablet that says‑ "Founded
by W. N. Burroughs, 1772,
destroyed by enemy action 1943, rebuilt by E. Lacon and Co., 1959". Mike and Maria Spalding
currently run it.
Next is Brown's News
agency, and Polyanna’s Restaurant, north of row 20. This was all re‑built
post‑war. Past row 20 is the
"Two Necked Swan", at 6/7, and then Claxton's menswear at no.
8.
Here previously was Barnes, the grocers.
Cecily Smith from no. 9 Howard Street
South, married Barnes' son Billy. This was a long established grocery business,
having been here over 100 years. The shop is now Claxton's menswear shop.
When in the Barnes
family’s possession, this shop had seen four generations of their family, and
over a hundred years as family grocers. William Connaught Barnes had two sons,
William Frederick, and George Raymond. William Frederick married as stated,
Cecily Flora Smith from the bakery in Howard Street South (at number 9).
Neither son had any sons of his own to pass the business on to.
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All the Barnes males
were fond of their drink. George Raymond was Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge.
William Snr. had given up living over the shop before the war, and went to live
in Northgate Street, the upper rooms of the shop then being used as store
rooms. The shop was sold prematurely by William Jnr., when he was taken ill at
the age of 62, and could draw no old age pension. Briefly then the shop became a pet shop, but then was bought
by two brothers from Ormesby, and became the present Claxton's menswear. Next to Claxton's is The Conge, and on the
south‑east corner of The Conge isthe National Westminster Bank, and
walking along the south side of the Market Place we then pass Norman's
Furnishing, an important site, once no. 4 a doctors house, and described with
Row 26. The employment services office
is empty, the office having moved into
a new building on the former site of Middleton's offices and workshops
in 1992. At no. 16 is the National and
Provincial Building Society, rebuilt with a Georgian style front. Next there is
row 29, beside which is the Market
Tavern, previously known as "The
Growler", this has some ancient
brickwork remaining in the row wall on the south side.
about
1870
Row 32 is on the
south side of The Growler. On the south side of Row 32 is the Abbey National Building Society, in another
rebuilt building with a Georgian style front, beside, going south,
"Super-colour", and Leach and sons, which is housed in two
buildings together. The
upper parts of all these last
mentioned properties are empty.
Here is Ferrier Row, no.38.Row
Thirty Eight The walls visible in
this row, of Leach's, and the buildings
on the south side also, are of considerable antiquity. Leach family, and
their Business see also Row 35 The
building on the south-east corner of the row here is
"Tandem", completely
empty, and also
of considerable antiquity. Next comes Woolworths store. This is on the site of the Plaza cinema.
1930’s
Radio Rentals, and then the British Heart
Foundation, is on the north‑east
corner of row 44. The British Heart Foundation premises are an older
building. On the south‑east
corner of row 44 is "The Leeds", (building society) and Dixons (computers, and electronic goods),
are both in the same rebuilt Georgian
styled property. The Card Company is then on the north‑east
corner of row 46. Row 46 leads to the
public house within the row "Back to Backs", this is behind the
"Card Company, and are very ancient premises. On the south side of this
row, past Back to Backs public house, is the back of the shop destroyed by fire
in1992 in Market Row. On 13th September 1995 there was a much more
devastating fire in this row (see under Market Row)
On the south‑east
corner of row 46 (1992), the Venture
Restaurant was completely modern,
although the north wall only is ancient. Here is Market row, and whilst the
ground-floor of the north‑east corner was in 1992, boarded up, (the former burger restaurant) the south‑east
corner was (in 1992) "Your Price", where the upper floors have been
vacant and for lease for as long as I can remember. This is a late 19th.
century building, with sand stone
window dressings that were clearly too soft, and have crumbled and split
severely. Hughes T.V. Store, the next shop, is an "original" building. Here is row 49. Next, on the south‑east corner of row 49, is
Curtess shoes, with the upper part, a
restaurant for lease, that actually
spans row 51. On the south‑east corner of row 51 is the Halifax building society, that occupies part
of the
building straddling row 51. Next
door is Palmer's store, a 19th. century, red brick building with a new shop-front designed by David Phillips, added
about 1986.
Palmer's Store
The business was started by
Garwood Burton Palmer. The current buildings were once a public house and
granary store, and the deeds include-
An Indenture, dated 26th. February in the 21st year of the reign of our Lord
Sovereign George II, by the grace of God....
Between Leonard Cutting of Great Yarmouth, Gentleman, Grandson..
....at law, of Mary Crome, late of the same town, widow deceased, and
John Roope, of Great Yarmouth aforesaid on the other part. In consideration of
the sum of five shillings of lawful money. A bargain and sale between the said
John Rope, his executors and administrators, .... All that messuage, tenement
or dwelling-house late of the above named Mary Crome, and now of him the said
Leonard Cutting, commonly named or called by name or sign of the "Plow and
Harrow", or by whatever name or names, or known with the shop, edifices
buildings, yard, ground, hereditaments and appurtenances, in the occupation of
Jeremiah Woolseley and Elizabeth Claybourne, widow. Now in the several
possessions and uses or occupation of Noah Stiles and Verity Smitor, widow,
between the common Lane or row called the Alms House Row of the south part, and
the ground of Elizabeth Smith, widow, in part, and a tenement or dwelling house
of Thomas Southwell in part, of the north part, and abutting upon the Market
Place of the said town, towards the east, and upon the yard and ground late of
the said Mary Crome and now Charles Ffen, mariner, towards the west, and all
that tenement or dwelling-house late also of the said Mary Crome and Leonard
Cutting.
Another deed dated 18th.June 1796: Mr.William Stone and wife, to Mr.Thomas Crickmays, his trustee, of a granary or warehouse in Great Yarmouth. Thomas Crickmay is stated as a shipmaster, and William Stone - shipmaster. Henry Vale, baker, was a trustee for the aforesaid Thomas Crickmay. The transaction was for £58/5..... All that granary late of John Ramey, deceased, and the said William Stone, near to a certain row called the Excise Office Row, between the said row and another common row on the south part, and another dwelling-house and ground late in the occupation of William ----- , supervisor of excise. Bargain and sale 16th.April 1794, made between Abigail Ramey, of Great Yarmouth, widow, and Peter Upcher, signed by William Stone, and his wife Mary with a cross only.
There is in possession of
the current owner, A.G.Sturrock, a notebook kept by
the housekeeper of the store, in the 19th.century. At that time many of
the staff lived in, and considerable insight into life at that time may be
gleaned from the entries-
The book was commenced in 1884, a handwritten small notebook in black ink.
Fish. No steel knives are to
be used for fish, either at breakfast or dinner.
Sundays. Young men are not to return to their bedrooms after breakfast until
9.30, to give time to have the rooms done.
Lavatory- ante-room, any flowers or
other rubbish found on the lavatory, or sink or anywhere near, to be thrown
away.
Programme of dinners for the six weekdays. Two days each week, light dumplings and gravey,
before the hot beef. One day each week- baked yorkshire pudding or boiled
batter and gravy with hot meat. One day each week (except in height of summer)
fish or soup, with cold meat and no pudding. Two days each week, some kind of
puddings or pie with hot or cold meat.
Absence of Housekeeper.
Thursday is the most convenient day for the housekeeper to go out to tea, and
for the evening when desired, as the tea (can be given) in one party, a little
after five o'clock, and (if so) do not have supper until 9.30, giving her (the
housekeeper) the required time (to go out and return) between the meals. Any
other time, mention to be made to Mr.Hurry (Palmer) of leave required, that one
of the senior hands may be appointed to preside during (the) absence of (the)
housekeeper.
Familiarity with the hands. It is requested that no favouritism be shown to any, or unpleasantness
and jealousy will (be)sure to follow. Treat all alike, be kind but firm.
Illness. Only in very urgent cases is brandy or other spirit to be supplied to
the hands.
Reading at meals is prohibited except at tea. Reading in bed by candle is
strictly prohibited. When the alarm bell in ante-room rings, all hands
are at once to come into the shop.
Goods for own use. Although the firm allow the housekeeper and assistants the privilege
of obtaining goods at cost price, let it be understood that these goods are
only for their own use or for bona fide presents. In future any goods not in
stock can be ordered by sanction of the firm, but upon such order, 5% will be
added to cover cost of carriage postage etc. Such prices not to be quoted
outside the house.
No domestic pet as cat bird etc is to be kept by any assistant.
Kitchen. The work girls are not allowed at all in the house or kitchens.
The young ladies are not allowed in the dining room except at meals. After supper it is
strictly prohibited.
Candles. are allowed in strict moderation to each room, but hands are warned
not to retire to bed with candles still burning
Porters have no business in the kitchen, and are not allowed to have beer
given to them without special permission.
Young men are not allowed in the young ladies sitting room or in any part of the
front portion of the house.
Bedrooms. The young men are not allowed to go to their rooms after 9 o'clock
until after the shop closes. They must bring down what things they require when
they leave in the morning. This is to be strictly enforced.
Hot Water if required occasionally. Hands must carry it up themselves, (the)
same if baths are required.
Young Ladies sleeping out are to use the lavatory basin in the ante-room.
Servants wages:
Cook- from £14-18
First Class Housemaid-
from £10-14 (per annum)
Second Housemaid- £10-12
Kitchen girl- 2
shillings- 2/6 per week.
(these include £2 for washing)
servants are allowed one
weeks holiday per year.
Evenings out-
Cook 2 evenings
Housemaids- one and a half evenings, or as arranged by the house
keeper.
Kitchen girl is not to come
at all on Sundays.
The young ladies all make
their own beds, but the young mens beds require making. Every room should be
dusted every morning. Every room should be properly cleaned every week. All
mattresses to be brushed once a month when clean sheets put on.
Grocers Lists.
provisions- A
grocers list, where to deal is made out by Mr.Hurry the first of every month. Butter-
fresh from Market every Saturday. If less than 1/6 per pound. If more- buy from
Clowes- unsalted "Brittany" butter at 1/4. Marketing done by
Mr.Hurry.
List of
bakers and quantity to be taken
from each, will be arranged by Mr.Hurry once a month. Enter quantity of milk,
butter, potatoes which come from in from Gorlestone, in book provided. Fruit
and vegetables are not charged for by G.B.P. (Garwood Burton Palmer) except
potatoes at market price.
Bread to be second days, and to be checked by housekeeper from monthly bills
with the books kept in the kitchen, wherein quantity taken each day as entered
in.
Beer. The consumption is to be carefully watched to see that an unlimited
quantity is not allowed (I assume that this was supplied since there was no
good supply of safe drinking water). Young people are not allowed to have their
meals in bed except in cases of illness, and then only with the permission of
the housekeeper. This rule must be strictly enforced. Nothing is to be taken
upstairs for hands except with permission of housekeeper.
Meals on
special Occasions
Good Friday-
One egg each, and hot cross buns
Shrove
Tuesday- pancakes if found possible, to make so many.
Christmas Day.
Fowl, plum puddings and dessert arranged by Mr.Hurry. If claimed for any other
occasion, refer to Mr.Hurry for instructions.
Sunday after
Christmas. Cold joint of meat but hot plum pudding.
Normal
meals
Teas- cut
bread and butter, and two thicknesses every day, but on Tuesdays and Thursdays
when convenient, and when have enough dripping make short cakes with currants,
but exceptions can be made to this rule, and only plain tea provided. (It
sounds pretty plain anyway, and no mention of jam!)
Sundays
Tea. Little home made plum cake
if convenient.
Breakfast. Plain cut bread and butter, tea and coffee, two thicknesses, one for
young men, one for young ladies (thinner for the girls?), except Sundays, when
half a ham is provided, the other half coming for the following Sunday breakfast,
may be varied with cold boiled bacon if preferred.
Sunday
Supper to consist of the usual
cheese and butter only.
Suppers.
Nothing whatever to be provided for this meal but bread and cheese and butter
only.
Suppers. Nothing
whatever is to be provided for this meal but bread cheese and butter except on
Saturday nights and perhaps Thursday.
Dinners. Twice a week, Tuesday and Saturday generally have Norfolk Dumplings and
gravey. Once a week have baked Yorkshire pudding and gravey. Once a week have
boiled batter puddings and gravey. Once a fortnight - Fridays generally, have
either fried or boiled fish with joint of cold meat. Boiled fish is preferred
when have fish provided pudding but only two courses allowed.
the
Distillery Hotel at No 40, in 1938 was “sandwiched” between the main and the
mens department stores.
In a separate
book-
Business
Expenses.
staff
at Leaches
Angel
Hotel; Fletcher’s on the right
Purdy’s
sign
Market
Tavern, many years before becoming the Fish Stall Pub.
Hospital
School