OVER the next few weeks I plan to feature High Street properties between The Rose and White Horse. These sites can still be identified from the original Burbage plots, rented out by The Bishop of Lincoln circa 1200. Several readers have requested an art

OVER the next few weeks I plan to feature High Street properties between The Rose and White Horse.

These sites can still be identified from the original Burbage plots, rented out by The Bishop of Lincoln circa 1200.

Several readers have requested an article on 59 and 61 High Street.

These buildings were originally one timber framed building with a central archway through to Church Street.

James Huffer was a stonemason there in 1838 and he continued in residence right into retirement but James Howe stonemason later used the frontage and yard.

Lucy Summerfield, milliner opened her shop by 1891.

Mrs Betsy Knott, who had continued to run a greengrocer's shop in Back Street after her husband died about 1880, moved to 59/61 High Street in 1893 and added a temperance hotel to her greengrocer's business, assisted by her daughter Elizabeth.

Later it became the Cyclists Rest and eventually the Cosy Café.

Number 59 was converted into a shop in about 1905 and Charles Carter, tailor, traded there until his death in 1922.

It was later used by various traders including Percy Gale, who ran a decorator's shop.

A later occupier was Manway Cleaners which occupied both shops from about 1975, one being used to sell newspapers.

Manway Cleaners was followed by Abacus Office Supplies, which started there before moving to Saffron Road.

Charlie Cook purchased the whole building in 1978 for renovation.

A small section of the original wattle and daub was exposed behind a glass panel in number 59.

He removed the tall chimney which had been heightened to 20 ft to clear drifting smoke when number 63 (now HSBC) was rebuilt in 1820.

Mr Cook opened number 59 as a travel shop in 1978.

Clowns, a fancy dress hire shop, opened in 1999 and the popular Café Mocha has been here for the past three years.

Number 61 became an antiques shop in 1958 and by 1988 Neill Burrows (Studio Neill Photographic) was very much in business.

He was followed by Kervanseray Ltd in 1997. The present occupier Daisychain has been there since 1999.

o I still welcome feedback and can be contacted by email on historian@biggleswadehistory.org.uk

Up my street

CHURCH STREET

ORIGINALLY the southern end of Shortmead Street, where the church is situated, was called Church Street. The present Church Street was known as Brewery Lane until it was given its new name, and Shortmead Street unified to run all the way to the junction with High Street.