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ONE of our oldest proverbs reads “Time changes all things”, and how could it be possible to verify this stereotyped phrase more vividly than by comparing what I wrote fifteen years ago in “Olney, Past and Present”, with today. In that book it says: “Coming from Emberton you will find the bridges of ‘wearisome but needful length’ that span the river branches. The first thing that strikes one who knew the town twenty years ago is the sense of silence that hangs over the Tanyard. It is a regrettable fact that the tannery is no more. Before there was any likelihood of Olney devoting so much of its energy to the manufacture of boots and shoes the place possessed a flourishing tannery, which not only employed a fairly large number of men but was noted the kingdom throughout for the excellence of its leather.

Why the industry has been allowed to lapse is, as Lord Dundreary would say, “One of those things no fellah can understand”. There is and always will be, a ready market for leather of real worth. Had the quality of the leather been allowed to suffer deterioration with yearly output, and trade accordingly fallen off in proportion, then the closing of the yard might have been understood, but trade was good to the end, and consequently with the natural advantages possessed by the town for the business we are entitled to hope that somewhere, not in the too distant future, we shall see a revival of the industry”.

Little did I think as I penned the above lines such a change would come over these old neglected business premises that had been wantonly destroyed. The advent of such a body of business men at the Olney Tanyard is a great acquisition to a small town like ours. In my look around Olney I therefore have pleasure in recording the growth of this enterprising firm for the edification of my readers.

W E & J Pebody Ltd
Cowper Tannery,
Olney
THIS highly enterprising and progressive firm are manufacturers of the most popular leathers on the market at the present time, and have made a name for themselves in the numerous centres of the boot industry by reason of the admittedly high quality of their productions. The business, which is now a large and important one, was founded in the year 1878 by Mr W E Peabody at the Lower Mounts, Northampton, in the premises now occupied by the firm. Quick to appreciate the nature of the
changes in the process of leather manufacture, the production of Chrome Leather was commenced on a small scale in 1900 and so much success was met with that three years later they decided to confine practically the whole of their business to the manufacture of the Chrome Leathers which were then becoming increasingly popular.
The late Jos Palmer
In 1896 Mr Joseph Pebody who had been for many years engaged in the industry in both the producing and selling departments joined his brother, and they continued trading as Messrs W E & J Pebody until recently when the business was converted into a Co. and 'Ltd was of course been added to the former name and style of the firm. The association of the brothers in partnership brought an early development of the business. It soon out-grew the accommodation offered in the Northampton premises, and the opportunity offering itself, they purchased the tan-yard premises formerly belonging the late Mr Joseph Palmer, who for many years successfully carried on the oak bark tanning business.

The works had, however, been disused for many years and were, as they stood, ill adapted for manufacturing by the new process. Messrs Pebody at once set themselves to the work of reconstruction. New pits and commodious workshops in which the latest and most improved machinery was installed soon made their appearance and following the installation of a 50 horse-power steam engine and boiler, operations were commenced and have since been successfully continued there. The facilities offered by the new premises proved of such a character that it was decided to remove the manufacturing part of the business hitherto carried on at Northampton to Olney, the adoption of this course enabling the firm to utilise the spacious buildings in Northampton for warehouse purposes, same rooms, and offices. The Northampton premises are, by the way, the registered offices of the company.
North view of Messrs W E & J Pebody's Tannery

In the meantime, as we have indicated above, Messrs Pebody had determined to move with them times and devote themselves entirely to the production of chrome leathers. This was at the period in question a bold move, for chrome tanning was still in an experimental stage. That they were justified in taking it the results soon proved. Not a little of the success achieved has been due to the fact that not only are the principals themselves experienced but they have had the good fortune to secure the service of capable heads for every department. In 1903, for instance, they entered into an arrangement which secured them the services of Mr Henry Hatton, who has had practically life-long association with the industry, in which probably few are better known. His efforts have been ably seconded by Mr William J Shaw and Mr James Williams, both well-known experts.
W E Pebody
Jos Pebody
Whilst on the personnel of the firm it may be mentioned that Mr J E Mustill is the Secretary of the Company, which is represented in Northampton by Mr Percy L Pebody, the firm being represented outside the County town by Mr John Pebody, who has acted in this capacity for over twelve years. We should also add that Mr W E Pebody is Chairman and Managing Director of the Company and Mr Joseph Pebody Director and Sales Manager, whilst the more responsible employees have also an interest in the business.

This association of principals, experts, and employees has proved an unqualified success for it has resulted not only in the firm establishment of a commercial undertaking of considerable magnitude, but has also given the Company a reputation which the present character of their production is likely to not only maintain but increase. Their output has continuously grown for their Willow Calf and Box, and their Brown and Black Ouse have by sheer merit made themselves highly popular with boot producers in all centres of the industry.
The erection of the 140 hp Engine
The names of those appearing on the above illustration are, reading from left to right, Gil Ratcliff (top) Jack Ratcliff, Henry Jones, fitter, Ted Minney and Jack Robinson. John Chapman, engine driver, is not visible.

The Company, in order to cope with the ever increasing demand, have just put down a 140 h.p Tangye gas engine (with producer gas plant) to drive the machinery, which is about to receive some notable additions, for Messrs Pebody have always seen the necessity of keeping their plant and machinery quite up to date. At the present we understand that they have sufficient orders on hand to keep the works running at their full capacity for some time to come. This is highly satisfactory, for the employment created by this prosperous firm is no doubt looked upon with pleasure by the inhabitants of Olney (and particularly the shopkeepers) since the weekly wages bill of the firm is necessarily a large one.
Mr Arthur Osborn -
Family Butcher,
High Street South,
Olney
IN spite of strenuous efforts made by interested bodies, both verbally and through the public press, to bring about an alteration, meat remains the staple article of diet among all classes, except those without the means to obtain it.
Vegetarianism makes no headway in this country, and the masses have an unconquerably aversion to partake frequently of fish, looking upon it as a luxury or change, rather than as an essential for their daily sustenance. Whether national prejudice is right in this matter we need not trouble here to determine, but we must certainly confess to sharing it largely, especially when we have the opportunity of obtaining our butcher’s meat at such an establishment as Mr Arthur Osborn’s.

The shop will at once commend itself to the notice of new residents and visitors to the town by its bright and well-kept appearance and the scrupulous neatness and cleanliness of its surroundings; whilst to the habitués of Olney it has become well known as an establishment supplying meat of the finest quality. Many of the most celebrated breeders of the neighbourhood are relied upon to furnish the large number of animals required to serve the extensive connection dealing with Mr Arthur Osborn.

The slaughter-house attached to the shop is a model of good order and cleanliness and is provided with all appliances for dispatching the animals with the least possible amount of suffering, and also for manipulating the meat in a satisfactory manner. For the prompt service of his patrons, Mr Arthur Osborn keeps a number of carts and horses, beside cycle messengers, his vehicles making their daily round being familiar objects in the streets and on the roads round about Olney. Home cured hams and bacon, pork pies, kidney, sweetbreads, pickled ox-tongues, pork, corned beef and other special delicacies are generally obtainable in the perfection of condition.

Mr Jesse Walder -
Pastry Cook, Confectioner, &c
High Street, Olney
THAT both science and art are brought to bear on the preparation and embellishment of the many luxurious comestibles that we are accustomed to see gracing the board on various festive occasions, is due to the skill, good taste, and high training of such masters of the culinary profession as Mr J Walder and his clever wife who have evidently graduated in the best schools.

Ever since ultra-refinement in gastronomy came to be considered as one of the most distinctive proofs of good breeding, we have been too prone to grant the palm for all matters pertaining to the table to our volatile and vivacious neighbours across the Channel, and it seems to be held as a sort of fashionable creed that a French chef de cuisine in the one thing needful to ensure the success of an establishment devoted to the production of epicurean delicacies and dainties. Chacun à son goût! For our own part, we are sufficiently patriotic to believe that we can dine or sup sumptuously and well on viands furnished by our noted purveyors It has been clearly demonstrated to us ocularly and otherwise, that Mr Walder’s establishment is capable of “furnishing forth a feast”, fit for the highest in the land; and, in point of fact, it can number among its patrons people from all over great Britain; its reputation is such as to warrant us in terming it one of the best shops of its kind in Olney.

Neatly decorated and ornamented in good taste, Mr Walder’s premises consist of double-fronted plate glass windows and are situated in the centre of the High Street, and afford easy access to all the interesting objects connected with the Haunts of Cowper, et cetera. Here may be seen nicely arranged in the windows, a display of all those appetising morceaux which are wont to make our mouths water even to look at, whilst within are still further good things, spread out in tempting array on the counters and sideboards. Capital accommodation is afforded for pertaining of light refreshments, ices, creams, delicious looking pastry and cakes are daily made on the premises; wedding cakes are especially constructed, in a most artistic manner, to order, and Mr Walder undertakes the entire catering and furnishing for déjeûners, luncheons, dinners, or suppers, the edible for which may be dressed at the customer’s own private house, as his services are always available he attends this duty.

We need scarcely add our testimony to that of the general public, whom Mr Walder has had the pleasure of supplying since he took over an old neglected business which he has worked up in such a marvellous manner, the result that the reputation of the establishment has become par excellence.
Mr Lewis Thompson -
Grocer, Provision,
Wine and Spirit Merchant, Olney
“The Customers were suited to their mind” - Cowper

HAPPY customers! Happy John Gilpin, of whom the line was written, to so please his patrons. But if our Olney readers will accompany us in a look around Mr Lewis Thompson’s shop, store rooms, and last but not least, his enormous wine cellars, which are filled with all finds of goods to tempt the appetite, we think that they also will say they can be “suited to their mind”, and as it is but reasonable to look at both sides of a question, let us examine the exterior and interior of the premises.

The premises occupy a fine position in High Street and practically face the Market Place, thus affording an admirable frontage with its large plate-glass windows encasing a most attractive show of various sorts of comestibles. Careful attention is paid to the window display, which is always clean and bright and of a nature calculated to tempt the casual customer, the quality of the goods when brought often turning such into a permanent one. Nor does the interior belie the outwardly promising appearance. There is ample room in the spacious shop for display stock, and the space is fully utilised, the selection, manipulation, and the price of the goods bespeaking able management on the principal’s part.

There is, no doubt, that, in what large manufacturing centres are pleased to term “country towns”, the character and quality of the food, especially eggs, butter, cheese, bacon, &c, is of a vastly superior nature, and the stock we see at Mr Lewis Thompson’s amply demonstrates this. One of the special features is tea; what with the reduction of duty, and the competitive spirit abroad that gives us a multifarious choice of good blends and growths, tea drinkers have fallen upon happy times, and Mr Lewis Thompson’s customers can obtain all the benefits of legislation, commerce, and nature showered upon them. The teas sold here are new season’s growths from India, China, and Ceylon, and may well lay claim to the title of unrivalled. Coffees of the best plantations, their aroma pervading the premises, cocoa, sugars, dried fruits, Italian warehouse goods, biscuits, tinned and bottled goods of the finest brands are stocked; the provision department embracing best English and American, and Irish hams and bacon; home and foreign cheese, fresh dairy butter, eggs &c, &c. Mr Lewis Thompson also deals very extensively in wines and spirits also ales and stouts. He is agent for the well known Northampton firm Messrs Phipps & Co, also for Messrs Hipwell & Co’s celebrated ales and stouts, and Messrs Whitbread’s brewings. The business is a very old established one in Olney. A considerable trade in sweet manufacturing is carried on, and Mr Thompson’s branch shop lower down the street is a very large stock of glass, china and earthenware.

Mr W Litchfield -
House Decorator,
High Street South, Olney
MR W Litchfield’s premises are conveniently accessible and there is always on
hand here a varied assortment of paper hangings, cornices, mouldings, and other necessaries of the trade. We may draw particular attention to the stock of lincrusta decorative material shown here, this being, in our opinion, the very best substance for wall decoration that has been introduced. The embossed surface of lincrusta admirably adapts it for treatment at the painter’s hands, and when used in an artistic manner, the fabric well deserves the title bestowed upon it - King of wall decorations. Mr Litchfield is particularly successful in carrying out this class of work, as we can testify. The richness of the material and his skilled manipulation of the fabric places it far and above the highest class of wall-papers, and renders it especially suitable for decorating large apartments, halls, etc. Every description of interior and exterior work is undertaken. His charges are extremely low, and being a very expeditious craftsman his accounts are more often pleasing to his clients than otherwise.

Mr Cattell -
Monumental and
General Mason,
Weston Road, Olney
ONE of the most pleasing characteristics of the English-speaking race is the veneration and respect in which they hold the memory of their
departed relatives and friends.

Owing to this feature the Monumental Masonfinds ample scope for the display of his talent, which in many instances, is of no mean order. As an example, we may single out Mr R Cattrell. He has had years of experience in the trade and has carried out a large number of contracts in his time both of the plainest and most elaborate nature. In stone, granite or in marble, he is equally happy, and the memorial tablets, etc, designed by him are remarkable for their good taste and appropriateness to the purpose for which they are intended. Monumental carving of every kind is done, and inscriptions written in imperishable letters, or merely cut in the stone. Estimates and designs are provided, and the scale of charges is based according to the wishes and means of those to whose order the work is executed. He is a practical man and well able to direct those whom he employs,consequently he can ensure his patrons that all work entrusted to him will be thoroughly carried out as was fully verified by the report written by the Rev. Fulmer, in the Bucks Standard, of May 6th, 1905, where he received high praise for therestoration of Clifton Reynes Church.

Mr F Dawes -
Builder &c.,
Olney
THE number of new buildings erected in Olney during recent years indicates great activity in the building trade of the town, the skilful manner in which the work has, in the main, been performed, and the way in which modern improvements have been introduced being highly creditable to local builders. A business that has exhibited special activity during recent years is that belonging to Mr Fred Dawes. In was established many hears ago, and is, as we have said, a progressive one, Mr Dawes being a practical and experienced man. Specimens of his work may be seen in the private house of Mr R Hipwell known as Over’s View, and many other smaller residences throughout the town which bear the stamp of masterly workmanship and good material.

Mr F Murton - Tobacconist
The Post Office,
Olney
“Some sigh for this and that;
My wishes don’t go far
The world may wag at will
So I have my cigar.” Hood

EVEN though the delightful writer quoted above must admittedly have used a little poetic license in expressing his
love for the ever-solacing weed, it cannot be denied that there is a good deal of solid truth in his rapture. A real good cigar - or, for the matter of that, really good tobacco - is a perfect luxury, and there is of necessity in Olney a large number of persons who regard a place where such can be obtained of as much importance as any other establishment that ministers to our wants and necessities. In one of the best shops in the Market Place, not far from Freeman’s corner, Mr Murton has, since his residence in Olney, traded as a tobacconist in addition to his postal duties, supplying a proportionate share of the inhabitants of Olney and district with tobacco goods fully the equal of those that inspired Hood to write the eulogistic lines heading this notice. Conveniently situated, attractive in itself, and well stocked, the establishment possesses all the characteristics of a well-to-do concern. Fresh consignments of tobacco are being continually received, and the experience which Mr Murton has had enables him to keep it in a first-class condition, so that it is always palatable and enjoyable. The tobacco on hand here include the productions of nearly all the leading firms whereby the particular tastes of all smokers may be satisfied. Mr Murton is always to be found personally attending to customers’ wants, and patrons will find him equally at home discussing the merits of the production of foreign lands, or the topics of every-day interest in Olney.

Mr Brooks - Baker
and Confectioner,
High Street South,
Olney
THE health giving air of Olney is extraordinarily conducive to good appetites, and consequently there is a special demand made on that indispensable of tradesmen - the baker. The district is gradually becoming favoured by being the residence of good families who in their turn attract others; therefore, there is plenty of scope for those who practise higher branches of the trade than mere bread-making.

Though this is sufficiently important, and we purpose here to bring before our readers one of the principal bakers and confectioners that Olney possesses, in the person of Mr Brooks. The business now conducted by the above named tradesman has enjoyed an existence of several generations and was started lower down the street.

The original proprietor was Mr Roberts and on his retirement, the business was taken over by Mr Brooks, who has proved a worthy successor. It has been thoroughly remodelled and brought up to the highest pitch of perfection, and the excellence of all the ingredients and materials used, and perfect skill in their manipulation - the two latter combined, producing a quality of bread and confectionery that cannot be surpassed. Fancy bread and biscuit baking is the chief business of the concern, and many families are supplied with an article that has gained a wide reputation for wholesomeness and purity. Although his wedding and birthday cakes are held in much esteem, he succeeds admirably well in many other cakes, especially that known as Madeira cake, which to produce in perfection, requires much skill in its compounding and care in baking. The Bake-house is adjacent to the shop and house, and all operations are carried out under the supervision of Mr Brooks. The results of his labours speaking for the skill he possesses and the care he practises. Mr Brook’s establishment is known as the Cowper and Newton Tea Rooms and they are becoming well known throughout the county as their patrons after once paying a visit do not fail to give them their deserving both for the good attention received and the moderate charges.

Mr H Luddington -
Fishmonger,
Weston Rd, Olney
THE fishmongery trade in Olney cannot boast of a very old-established business, for the one in review can certainly claim the premier place in this particular trade. Commenced in the year 1880 it was carried on until a few years ago my Mr Thomas Lyman, who gave place to his son, from whom it passed to his son-in-law Mr H Luddington, who gained his experience in the fish trade in London. The shop is small but regular customers may rely upon a supply of fresh, dry, and shell fish in season. Mr Luddington is always obliging and seeks regular customers not only in Olney but Weston, Emberton, and Clifton, where his clients can have daily supplies upon intimation.

Mr W Ratcliff - Saddler
& Harness Manufacturer,
High Street South,
Olney
SITUATED in the midst of an agricultural and hunting district, an old established business like the above mentioned has a good change of success when ably and properly conducted. That has been the case with Mr Ratcliff’s establishment is evident from the fact that it has stood the test of time, not only without failure, but always steadily maintaining a high character for good work.

The shop occupies one of the best positions in the town and is in full view of the High Street and Market Place, and being fitted with two plate-glass windows, generally presents an attractive display of the goods manufactured here. We are not aware that Mr Ratcliff makes a speciality of any article, aiming rather, we imagine, at the attainment of excellence in all the goods he makes and sells. On the occasion of our visit, we were invited to inspect a good stock of riding and driving equipments of all kinds. Harness of every description, saddles for ladies or gentlemen, whips, spurs, bits in great variety, horse clothing, brushes, and all kinds of stable requisites were on hand, their appearance showing that both elegance and durability had been aimed at in their construction.

Repairs are done on the premises by competent workmen under Mr Ratliff’s personal supervision, the best materials and workmanship employed, and the most satisfactory results consequently obtained. The hunting requisites made here are noted for their superiority, and are in favour among a very influential circle of hunting-men. A good business is also done in making and repairing portmanteaux, leggings, etc., turning out sound and well-finished articles in every respect. Excellent harness blacking, embrocations, and other matters that are indispensable in the stable or the coach house are on hand, all being of proved value. The whole stock is extensive and varied, and in the large workshop at the rear, orders of every description can be, and are, constantly executed.

Mr W Hoddle -
The Boot Stores,
Olney
THERE is a well-known establishment in High Street South, which has been carried on for many years by Mr William Hoddle. The shop he occupiesstands on the site of the old house made famous in the annals of Olney in being the residence of the by-gone but immortalized Teedon, the schoolmaster, whose diary is so entertaining to the admirers of Cowper the “King of Letter Writers”. Mr Hoddle is well known in our town not only as a disciple of St Crispin, but also as a figure of the old sorld - a town crier. He has a compact shop which is well stocked with boots and shoes to suit all customers.
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