John Cawthorn's Shop, Christchurch, Wisbech.

        The village shop began life as the Co-Operative Stores in 1874 with my Gt Gt Grandfather, 
        George Cawthorn, as Manager.  In 1882, there were 43 members. The Society was dissolved in 1884.

        That's when George's son, John, bought the business from the Co-op. 


My Great Grandfather, John Cawthorn's village shop c. 1905
        Dad tells that if something was out of stock, either John or Walter would ring Copeland's, the Wholesalers in Ely;
        they would put the item on the next rain upto March and it would be at Stonea Station within the hour.
        And either Hugh, Eric or Dad would have had to cycle to Stonea to pick it up! 

        John's son, Walter,(my Grandfather) also ran the village shop until he sold it to Geoff Rumbelow and 
        Donald Hutchinson in about 1955.

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This page created March 2000
Updated 20:26 05/05/2020