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Saturday 23 September 2017

Did Milford on Sea have a Jewellers?

We have had the interesting letter below, which someone may be able to help resolve:

Dear David, 

I grew up in the village, went to the local school, Priestlands comprehensive and Brockenhurst college. I moved away in my twenties and now live in Cardiff. My mum still lives in the village. We were just talking and I remember that there used to be a jewellery shop in the village, on the row of shops where Monks fishmongers used to be (and where Verveine is now). I thought that the shop had a fire in it, but mum said that the jewellers never did have a fire. Can you solve our argument?

I of course struggle to remember what day it is, so am unable to help - But If you can resolve this family conundrum please post your thoughts by hitting the 'Comments text' below.

4 comments:

  1. Yes, there was a jewellers/watch repair shop in the village, I think it was "F Carter"? It was the shop just to left (Keyhaven side) of Monks, opposite "Telford Stone" and "Brooms" shops? I don't recall a fire but I moved out of village in the 70's after being born there in '53.

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  2. I think the lady must mean Carter's, who were both a watchmaker and had some jewellry - or that is as I remember the shop. Hugh Carter, who worked with his father, sadly died last autumn having fallen from his yacht moored at the end of the Keyhaven River. Their shop was in the row between Monks Fish shop and an old lady at the end who sold antiques, books etc. There was also a hairdresser.

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  3. Hugh Carter did have a fire at the shop. A heater was to blame I believe, and dear "old Hughie" suffered some burns

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  4. David, Milford certainly had a watch repairer near Chris Monk our greatly respected fishmonger, when I arrived in 1984. It was at about 100 High Street. No impressive window display but I remember two elderly (male) sales staff and a pretty empty counter. They repaired a watch for me and also replaced a battery on another occasion. I do not remember any fire there. I think that like so many of our considerable number of shops in the past and also old soldiers, after reaching retirement age and no young willing to take over, the owners just "faded away".

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