Commercial Property

Summerleys

Mr Ben Gray was born at the ‘Rule and Square’ and was one of seven sons of Mr Henry Gray. As a young man he started life as a Gentleman’s servant in Scotland.

Later he returned home and married a Miss Sophie Janes and they took over one of the village shops. At about middle age Sophie died and so Ben had to manage on his own. The horse and cart in the photograph was used by Ben to collect provisions from Dunstable to sell in the shop. One day a Mrs Lunnon sent her son Cecil to the shop for some lean bacon. Ben looked at the young lad and said “who does your mother thinks is going to buy the bl—dy fat?”.  

L.A.

Source: CY Photo album

Mill Shop opposite Janes 1912

Mr Ernie Fountain with a pair of grey horses and delivery van, outside the offices of Mr Alfred Thorne. The office was later moved to the other side of the building and is now a private residence. Mr Fountain’s other duties were to ride around the village to collect orders for corn and maize. Mr Alfred Thorne is outside the office

M.F.1912

Source: CY  Photo album

Edlesborough Mill