Remember Chris Tomkins of Kistrucks Bakery on George Lane or Colin Bent of Albion Clocks on Grove Hill? At the Woodford Historical Society’s October meeting, Mike Edwards will be discussing Shelf Life E11:E4:E18, a self-published book featuring photos and stories of these and other local business owners
The idea for the book came about during a photography course I was attending at City Lit in 2008, which covered environmental portraiture, that is photos of people set in their working environment. I started by asking some shopkeepers in Wanstead to ‘pose’ for me, and found most people happily agreed.
While they were posing for their portrait, conversations began to reveal their past and how they became involved in the local community. I found the longer they had been plying their trade or vocation, the more interesting their stories became. Some thought they had nothing of interest to say, but without fail, that was never the case. Some had come from unprivileged backgrounds and made a good life for themselves. Others led intriguing lives and made the most of opportunities that came their way.
I have always been passionate about local history and appreciating the roles that people play in their communities, and decided I had to make a record of their experiences, accompanied by the photos. The idea to create a book began in 2008, and was finally published as a permanent record of 41 subjects in 2014.
For my Woodford Historical Society talk in October, I will be concentrating on the Woodford section of the book, which reveals some fascinating stories. Some highlights include: WD Chapman Butchers in Woodford Green, who traced their family business back three generations to at least 1890; Chrystalls Pharmacy in Woodford Green, whose former owner, Vic Irvine, is descended from a Native American orphan; Kistrucks Bakery in South Woodford (closed in 2017), where until as recently as the late 1950s, 26 horse-drawn carts would leave the bakery in George Lane to supply the East End; and Colin Bent the horologist, who worked from his shop Albion Clocks on Grove Hill (Colin passed away in 2013, just before the book was published).
I regard this work as a celebration of those who have dedicated a large part of their lives to their trade or vocation, invariably with passion, pride and modesty.
Mike’s presentation will take place at All Saints Church hall in Woodford Wells on 9 October from 2.30pm (visitors: £5). For more information, visit swvg.co.uk/9oct
To view more stories in Shelf Life E11:E4:E18, visit swvg.co.uk/shelflife
