By John Pearson
New Road, place of the Doll’s Hospital
with Jack Grant Racing to Parham and Sons
furniture removals shifting towards Marriott’s,
upholsterers, lino and carpet dealers.
Mile End School of Motoring driving
people to the New Road Wine Store
and the Salutation taking in the
sweet scent of Madam’s Blooms.
Bennett’s musical instruments muted
by the Knit Two wool shop, patterned
and peddled by Carter and Hall, cycle agents,
in tandem the Christian Bookshop – bible depot.
Paige’s fishing tackle dealers
reeling in patients of Dr McLeod,
family GP, physician, and surgeon,
prescriptions written out by his wife.
Burma Bill of the launderette washing
the blood-stained whites of Eaton, A, butcher.
DM Décor supplying white paint and wall paper,
hiding the sordid cracks of Buckland.
Arthur’s Fish Bar alongside Pearson and Sons
respectable printers, stationers, and bookbinders
collated with Miss Gibbs the second-hand bookseller,
cat lover and member of the RSPCA.
Harry Hewitt, proprietor of the pawnbroker’s,
uncle to the great unwashed of Buckland
who spent their money at the Stag Hotel
and the Mermaid Public House.
Finally, along this once prosperous road
we wind up with Robin Martin, watchmaker,
clock repairer and the gate-keeper of time
opposite Baker, Wm J Parochial Cemetery Gate Keeper.
