Old Stratford - Bridge Stores



A dwelling has stood on this corner of the crossroads since at least the early 1600s as the 1608 map shows.
View of the building from the old Northampton road before 1914
View of the front corner of the building on the right from the Watling street.
1841 census James Compton aged 45 Blacksmith was probably the person living here as he would have run the forge behind the house.
1851 census William Page lived in the left hand side of the house.
1861 census William Page
1871 census William Page
1881 census William Page
1891 census The house is described as 10 & 11 in 1 house. Wm Page is head and there are boaders and extended family there too.
1901 census William Page and probably William Panter coal merchant in the right hand side of the house.
1911 census William Page and William Panter
1900s Electoral Rolls Samuel and Jane Pinney had been running the grocery store and post office since 1912
1936- 1938 Electoral Rolls Harold Kentish
1940 Kellys W.S. Warner
1940 Electoral Rolls Jane Pinney - Eskdale

The Northampton Mercury July 14th 1911

Passenham Manor Estate Sale

Old Stratford lots only

An important sale took place on Friday afternoon at the Cock Hotel, Stony Stratford, when the estate of Passenham Manor, situated in the parishes of Passenham and Potterspury was offered. The estate comprises the Manor House, with charming gardens, pleasure grounds, and capital stabling; also several well-cultivated farms and holdings, including the Manor Farm, Passenham Mill, Old Stratford Farm. North-field’s Farm, and Puxley Grange Farm, the whole comprising about 839 acres 2 roods, let to good tenants at rentals amounting to £1,224 10s. per annum. There was a very large company present, but bidding was slow, and only four lots found purchasers.

Lot 1 consisted of the valuable freehold corner property in Old Stratford, comprising a stone-built and slated dwelling house, a stone and tiled shoeing shed, and blacksmith’s shop, with two hearths, outbuildings, garden, and small accommodation pasture field 3 roods 32 pols and was knocked down for £380.

The remaining lots were put up for sale by private treaty. Messrs. Alfred Savill and Sons, London, were the auctioneers instructed by Countess of Warwick, who was represented by her agent. Mr. H. G. Godfrey Payton, London. Messrs. G. R. Lawrence and Co., of London, were the solicitors.

The County Council bought the property in order to make the road wider on this corner.

The Northampton Mercury March 20th 1914

NORTHANTS COUNTY COUNCIL

Road Improvements

The committee reported that the surplus land adjoining the improvements recently carried out at the cross roads in Old Stratford had been sold by public auction for £120.


Eskdale now Bridge Stores

The Mercury & Herald January 26th 1934

Samuel Jordan Pinney (65), was knocked down by a lorry and fatally injured while cycling from Old Stratford to Cosgrove.

JURYMAN GIVES EVIDENCE
LORRY’S COLLISION WITH
CYCLIST

The inquest on Pinney was conducted the Divisional Coroner (Mr. W. L. Whitton), sitting with a jury, at Old Stratford yesterday, Pinney was a retired grocer and sub-postmaster at Old Stratford.
Mrs. Jane Pinney, the widow, said her husband left home on his bicycle to go to Cosgrove.  His eyesight was good, but he was little deaf. As he went out he withed her " Many happy returns " on her birthday.

DRIVER'S EVIDENCE

Fred T. Washbrook, haulage contractor, Old Stratford, who was warned by the Coroner (Mr.  E. Whitton) elected to give evidence. He said he had had eight years experience of driving. It was very foggy at the time of the accident, and the visibility was only about four yard.
 The windscreen wiper of the lorry was not working, but the glass was clean. He had two side lights. He sounded his horn before approaching the Dog’s Month Bridge at about five m.p.h. When three yards from the bridge be saw a man on a bicycle shooting across in front of him, as if going in the direction of Cosgrove. He could only make out a dark shape going across this radiator. He felt an impact on the near side of the cabin.

TRIED TO SWERVE

The Coroners: When you saw him cross the radiator why did not you pull up?—I tried to swerve and miss him, but it all happened In about three seconds.
The Coroner: Were you cutting the corner? No, I was about a foot from the kerb no the near side. Did you carry him along with you?—No. I don't think so.
Dr. Douglas Bull, Stony Stratford, said Pinney was dead when brought to the surgery. Death, which must have practically instantaneous, was due to a fracture at the base of the skull and shock. Charles Henry King, 127, Birchfield-road, Northampton, commercial traveller, said he was motoring from Northampton to Stony Stratford when he was requested to stop by the lorry driver, who was supporting Pinney in his arms. The bicycle was lying in the rood.
A juryman, Michael Haltom, Old Stratford, left his seat to give evidence. He Washbrook asked him to come to the scene of the accident and assist him. Pinney was lying on the road in a dying condition, and there were two pools of blood. It was very foggy, and he could see only five or six yards.
The Coroner said it was an unfortunate ease, caused by the fog. He thought the lorry driver took an reasonable precautions.
A verdict of " Accidental Death " was returned.


The Wolverton Express April 4th 1972 Bridge Stores [newspaper image]

The Wolverton Express April 4th 1977

THE POST OFFICE and stores at Old Stratford have undergone a major transformation with space-saving display shelves taking the place of cumbersome counters.
But despite the enormous changes the proprietors Ken and Sylvia Johnson have still managed to keep the personal touch.
They took over the shop in November 1969 and changed the layout of the shop from counter service to self service. Now they -have extended the "walk-round" shopping space for customers.

Facilities

The store incorporates a Post Office section which has also been altered to give more facilities to people for writing or filling in forms. It is also much more private than before.
As Mr. Johnson points out, it is now possible to buy a birthday card or present ,write or wrap it and put it in the post — all in the same building.

Easier

Together with two part-time staff Mr. Johnson and his wife open the store every weekday including Saturday and a couple of hours on Sunday. Their half day is Wednesday afternoon.
Expansion in the lay out means that customers can expect a greater selection of goods and easier presentation.