Barnacle's Shop

A Memory of Syston.

The building on the left of this photo was my home for the first 21 years of my life. In fact the last few letters of our surname can just be seen - ACLE.
This was the general grocery shop known as Barnacle's, owned by my parents from 1939 to 1960, mostly managed by my mother Win. My dad Ken was employed by Fox's Glacier Mints in Leicester but would help staff the shop during holidays and weekends, consequently I rarely had a holiday with both my parents.
I was a popular lad at school in the early years, only because I raided the sweet shelves on my way out, whilst Dad would pocket a packet if cigarettes - despite the rationing !
I was pleased to receive the Francis Frith 'Around Leicester' as a Christmas gift from my daughter Joanne, and the many pictures of old Syston brought back many happy memories.
The lower picture on page 75 of the book also shows the shop and the name board above the window can just about be read - W E BARNACLE. Well it can when you know what it said!
Fond memories indeed !
Mick Barnacle