Spyatry In The 70s

My dad was Bobby Askew, whose newsagent shop is shown on the right side of the photo. Although universally called Bobby, he preferred his correct name of Robert! He retired about 1967/8 and we moved away to grim Carlisle. This photo was probably early 1960s or late 1950s because there is no cigarette machine attached to the garden wall. That machine was periodically attacked to get the cigarettes out, and many times there was a great deal of blood because the glass was reinforced with steel wire. A favourite job of mine was filling up the change "wheel" which dispensed change. It was pre-decimal coinage of course, so usually a copper mix. Just visible is a black and white striped street sign post on the left hand side of the road. I remember my dad being taken hostage during a carnival and tied to that post as a hostage. No idea if we ever paid up! Lots of shops up the street. Edmondson butchers, Tosh Hollidays, various Tinnion shops, Cowan's fish and chips, Walter Wilsons with broken biscuits, Sam Moore, carpentry and undertakers, shoe shop, grocers, and so many more. A few minutes walk to the primary school and St Kentigern's Church mid town. To all that remember I hope you are well and have happy memories.