A Viking in Hadleigh

S Clarke’s was Castle Cleaners during the war and then became Dane Dye works, which advertised itself with a Cambridge blue paint scheme, on which was a black cut-out of a Danish Viking with a helmet, round shield and the point of a spear or sword. Later still, this corner became the  Sketchleys dry cleaners.

In later years, beyond Clarke’s to the West along the A13 towards Hadleigh Corner,  was Keeble’s the green grocers, and then either a café or the Daisy sweetshop.  Daisy’s moved over the road and was then called Hamerston’s.

In the background beyond Clarke’s, we see the public hall where dances were held during the war.  It was later used as a carpet warehouse.  Beyond the hall, were the dark green painted premises four or five shops wide of a clothing manufacturer.

At the end of the block, after the supporting wall, was a goods entrance to the pick-up area behind the manufacturer, then two semi-detached cottages with nice gardens.

Next was a field that went all the way through to Church Road. Then the wet fish shop where, just after the war, Mr Pearce stood with his little dog to collect a “Penny for the Guy”, and got 8/4d, ( eight shillings and fourpence  = 100 old pennies,  or 41 and 2/3 New Pence.) If converted entirely into fireworks, this would have provided a colossal display!)

Then came the chemist. Then Nortons removals, using big white vans with black writing and blue shadow script.

{From text dictated by Mr Pearce. E & OE.}

A13 and Meadow Road
Dane Dye Works, 4 Rectory Road
Maureen Theobald

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  • My thanks to all of those who have contributed. Danes Dye works was purchased by Sketchleys dry cleaners and in turn acquired by Johnsons Apparel Master and we now trade as Johnson Workwear. So the garment and cleaning trade lives on at the site. We would be keen to know more about the site history and in particular any photos or key dates relating to the site that we can add to our company history archive. Email to Martinlengden@jsg.com

    By Martin Lengden General manager Johnsons workwear hadleigh (17/08/2023)
  • I certainly remember Dane Dye works and Keeble’s but I thought it was a grocers. I can also remember Daisies but only when it was on the other side of the main Road, it was where we got our sweet ration from prior to the end of rationing; 2 ounces of sweets / week. The Café mentioned was I believe the Blue Bird or some such name and there was another shop at one time before Dane Dye works was extended toward Trevard’s. After Trevard’s Before that as the author said was the old public hall which at one time was used by Echo the wireless maker’s then there was quite a big shop selling tiles and general building material, they were originally on the corner of Oak Rd South and named Lesneys or Lesly’s. The big field mentioned had a very large advertising board which fronted the field that led back as far as Church Rd. The fish shop sold both wet and fried fish and was owned by Mr Kirkham who lived in the top end of the Avenue. They moved to Pitsea where they had a pig farm after the fish shop closed. After Kirkham’s I remember a lock-up grocer’s shop called Bennet’s and they lived in a road just past J H Burrows sports ground. Last but not least there was Nortons who I understand are still operating. I think the clothing maker was a specialist for a big name store.

    By Rob Keen (01/08/2023)

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