Gabriels Hill

Walking into Gabriels Hill from King Street, I remember a shop selling furniture, was it Len furniture? I think it may well have been. They seemed to have plenty of bedroom chairs that appeared to have been made from wicker: the generic name is Lloyd Loom. Please tell me if I am wrong.

Near the top of the hill was Kings the men’s outfitters, they also sold scout uniforms for the area, stocking all the different neckerchief designs and badges for all the troops in the area.

Down the hill a little was Cornell’s, still going strong after all these years and after most of the other jewellers in the town have come and gone. They were opticians as well and one of the few places to pierce ears.

In my teenage years, Wimpey were the places to eat your burgers and Gabriels Hill had a good one. Open most days until very late at night if they closed at all. I’m sure they had their windows smashed a few times over the years as well.

I have already spoken about an alley that led here from King Street and as you came out into the hill on the left was a derelict site, I believe that it was a bombsite. In more recent years, it was re-built and taken over by Sharps the outfitters. I bought my wedding suit here and I would like to say that it still fits. I lie it doesn’t and was disposed of many years ago.

Below this was another toy and sports shop Hubble and Freeman, and it’s still there.

Opposite was the Palace theatre Cinemas

Still continuing down Gabriels Hill on the left was Water Lane and just into this lane Michaels the Hair stylists formerly the site of an undertakers. Continuing down the hill was an arcade, still there, though now different shops. I remember Ashplant a cycle shop, I remember Pias the coffee shop and selling wonderful ice cream and nut sundaes.

Opposite the arcade was the working men’s club, I remember on one occasion after rain seemed to fall for ever, we walked down Gabriels Hill to see people being taken out of Stone Street Working Men’s club by rowing boat. It was many years later that I thought what on earth were they doing in there knowing that the river was lapping at the door.

The car showroom in Gabriels Hill displayed classics like the Austin Sprite, 1100’s and not to forget the Mini. I remember people saying the Mini will never catch on. What are they thinking of building cars without starting handles? “You just wait until we get a bit of bad weather”

Just along in Lower Stone Street was the other part of Miles where they displayed the MG Midget and the Morris Mini and 1100.