Petry's Stores By Marian Tribe

A Memory of Tilehurst.

Although I was born in London in 1939 where my father was a master baker, we were blitzed out in 1940 and came to settle in School Road Tilehurst. My father had learnt the Grocery trade as a lad in Sainsbury's specializing in the cheese counter, He opened the shop in School road with very little stock having lost everything in the air raids of London.

My parents worked very hard and built up a very successful business where we used to deliver groceries daily around the village. My father used to say that if he charged for the service we would be much better off!!

I had a brother Micheal and a sister called Doreen who both joined the local Youth Club but I was only interested in horses and used to help at the local Riding School run by Pam and Bill Thomson at Little Heath.

My great friend was Sylvia Butler who lived at ' The Yews' in Pierces hill. We remained friends when she married and moved to Wales where sadly she died in 2015

I remember Eunice very well as I too worked in the shop from 1955 to 1960 leaving to go to Germany to try and learn the language.

We had lovely Maple leaf tree in the front of the shop which I loved and as a child used to cycle round at great speed.
Next door was Mr and Mrs Baker. The butcher over the road was Stevens and the Nurseries opposite were Lainsbury's. Mrs Baker used to come into the shop (I think just for a chat) and sit down on one of the chairs. There was also Mrs Doubleday who always waited until 12.55 to come in. which was very irritating as we used to close for lunch.

I have been prompted to write this as my daughter found this sight and thought it of interest which triggered off masses of memories.

My parents retired in 1965 moving to Earley where my father died in 1990.
My brother who became a Professor and lived in Rotterdam died in 2003 and my sister died in 2015.
My mother only died in 2017 at the grand age of 107. She lived with my daughter who is a Physiotherapist and at the age of 105 baked my daughter her favorite cake for her birthday, only the last year of her life did she need our help, my other daughter Melissa used to do breakfast then I lunch and then Marie-Clare took over for the evening meal.

I am sure many more memories wil come flooding back and will update as they do


Added 14 June 2019

#677505

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