I GREW up on Blossom Street, which had a Wrights pork pie shop near the junction with Holgate Road. I worked in Goodramgate in the office at Savilles chemist.

We enjoyed many a pork pie and sausage roll, meat and sausages and bacon. Their pies were unbeatable.

I also remember Crows butchers, which had good products, and Ron Buckle and family running the bakery on Priory Street, and Sid his brother too on the Mount.

Another great butcher was Arthur Rank and his son on Blossom Street, who kept us going during the war.

Business seemed more personal in those days and Blossom Street was a great place to live, from Storeys Book Shop, Parker and Watson the pharmacy, to Mr and Mrs Jenkinson and their home bakery next to the Forselius Garage.

Other memories include Mr and Mrs Almgill with their sweet and tobacconist side by side; Bill Hargreaves at the wet fish shop; Mr Shearsmith with his motorbike and bike store, with toys at Christmas; Coxes with homemade ice cream and sweets. Mr and Mrs Charlie Greaves would stand in the doorway of the Lion and Lamb; Mr Rennison repaired our shoes.

We had newspapers from Mr Flint’s shop; a haircut for dad and my brother from Mr Scaum’s shop. Blossom Street was a wonderful community place. Everyone knew everyone.

Audrey Richardson, Pleasant Meadow Lane, Purcellville, USA.