St James Terrace Corner Shop

Ena Price, born Ena Boucher in 1915 and brought up at 23 Harold Street, shared her memories with BHG in February 2015. She ran a corner shop at St James Terrace between the wars, before being called up and serving as a sergeant major with the Territorials.

Her father, Thomas Henry Boucher, ran a paraffin and soap delivery business by horse and cart. “ The horses were big and beautiful and we spoiled them, especially the one called Kitty. They were stabled in Mill Street where there was a garage with room for stables.” There were other horses in the street like the one belonging to her school friend (Ena attended St James until she was 11 and then Blueschool until 14) who ran the St James Dairy opposite St James Road.

Ena sold everyday items “and vegetables from our own garden in Harold Street or Sid Wrights’ in Eign Gate”.

The shop was small: “You went up a couple of steps and there was a counter on the right. Behind, it ran through to the other room where we kept the extras.” There was a window onto the street that Ena used to display goods.  “My mother, Sarah Ann, helped and I would take orders and do deliveries by bike. The suppliers would come along at night. “

Ena enjoyed her war years. “I was an only child and I liked the company!