Perry's

A Memory of Stafford.

The Perry family owned 2/3 businesses on Mill Street, but the corner building on the left, at the corner with the over- hang was run (owned?) by my step grandfather Samuel Perry in the 1930's/ 40's, maybe even either side of these dates. My father, William (Bill) Hales told how as a single man, along with friends they would pay to play snooker in the room above the shop. His sister twins, Edith and Phyllis Hales would serve in the grocery shop below and did so during the war years. Sam married my grandmother Louisa Annie Hales (nee Harding) in 1937. many were amazed at this bachelor marrying a widow with 8 children (there were 9, but he died as a baby) but they were happy and he was my granddad! They later moved to Blackpool where they both died.
Sam also had a crockery market stall and would attract the crowds by showing how inexpensive his wares were by throwing a pee pot to the ground, saying that it didn't matter when they got smashed as you could afford to buy from him!

Sheila Roberts (Hales)