One thing I remember from Watson's was a pair of leather "indicator" biker gloves I bought from them. There was a lamp and a 9volt battery in each glove and a metal connector on the thumbs and forefinger on them. When turning a corner at a junction, you stuck your hand out as usual and then pressed the contacts together and the lamp flashed on and off! INGENIOUS! Boar Lane - got kitted out for highschool at Rawcliffes (?) I think it was called that - next door to the old Oxfam shop and opposite a barbers. My first long kecks - I remember the old perv salesman who squeezed my 11 year old willy, when measuring my inside leg! Bloody norah - this Secret Leeds forum brings the memories back! Luv it! Old Shops on Boar Lane.
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Scandy Bramley
- Posts: 267
- Joined: Sun 20 May, 2007 12:14 pm
Reginal Perrin wrote: Anyone remember Watson Cairns with the Reliant Robin in the window and the impression of my 12 year old nose on the window looking at the Vespas inside (around the time of Quadrophenia). I had a wreck of a Lambretta LI 150 back in the 70's, so obviously remember Watson & Cairns, as I used to buy spare parts from them. I remember being too embarrassed to park it outside, amongst all the "top mod" scooters with their 500 mirrors and spotlights - so I hid my Lamby in the courtyard next to Dysons One thing I remember from Watson's was a pair of leather "indicator" biker gloves I bought from them. There was a lamp and a 9volt battery in each glove and a metal connector on the thumbs and forefinger on them. When turning a corner at a junction, you stuck your hand out as usual and then pressed the contacts together and the lamp flashed on and off! INGENIOUS! Boar Lane - got kitted out for highschool at Rawcliffes (?) I think it was called that - next door to the old Oxfam shop and opposite a barbers. My first long kecks - I remember the old perv salesman who squeezed my 11 year old willy, when measuring my inside leg! Bloody norah - this Secret Leeds forum brings the memories back! Luv it!
One thing I remember from Watson's was a pair of leather "indicator" biker gloves I bought from them. There was a lamp and a 9volt battery in each glove and a metal connector on the thumbs and forefinger on them. When turning a corner at a junction, you stuck your hand out as usual and then pressed the contacts together and the lamp flashed on and off! INGENIOUS! Boar Lane - got kitted out for highschool at Rawcliffes (?) I think it was called that - next door to the old Oxfam shop and opposite a barbers. My first long kecks - I remember the old perv salesman who squeezed my 11 year old willy, when measuring my inside leg! Bloody norah - this Secret Leeds forum brings the memories back! Luv it! You can take the lad out of Leeds - but you can't take the Leeds out of the lad.
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Scandy Bramley
- Posts: 267
- Joined: Sun 20 May, 2007 12:14 pm
Telstar wrote: Hi. I do remember going with my parents shopping in Boar Lane in the late 1950's/early 1960's. There was a gent's outfitter on Boar Lane that my dad shopped at. They sold top quality shirts made by Van Heusen (not cheap stuff !). I am not sure exactly where the shop was. I don't think that C&A was in business then. Hah - you posted whilst I were typing - the outfitters you mention was probably Rawcliffes, as I mention above!C&A didn't start until the 70's, I think?Good to see I'm not the only old gimmer on the forum! 
You can take the lad out of Leeds - but you can't take the Leeds out of the lad.
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Reginal Perrin
- Posts: 670
- Joined: Fri 23 Feb, 2007 10:52 am
Scandy Bramley wrote: Telstar wrote: Hi. I do remember going with my parents shopping in Boar Lane in the late 1950's/early 1960's. There was a gent's outfitter on Boar Lane that my dad shopped at. They sold top quality shirts made by Van Heusen (not cheap stuff !). I am not sure exactly where the shop was. I don't think that C&A was in business then. Hah - you posted whilst I were typing - the outfitters you mention was probably Rawcliffes, as I mention above!C&A didn't start until the 70's, I think?Good to see I'm not the only old gimmer on the forum! Rawcliffes was never a gents outfitters though. it was school uniforms downstairs and a sports shop (proper sports shop that sold darts and cricket balls) upstairs. It now has a shop at Great Clothes on York Road but i imagine the name will be gone pretty soon.
Rawcliffes was never a gents outfitters though. it was school uniforms downstairs and a sports shop (proper sports shop that sold darts and cricket balls) upstairs. It now has a shop at Great Clothes on York Road but i imagine the name will be gone pretty soon. Ravioli, ravioli followed by ravioli. I happen to like ravioli.
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Steve Jones
- Posts: 1516
- Joined: Fri 18 Jan, 2008 2:41 pm
- Location: Wakefield
ID Aromatics which has been on Station approach for years now started off on boar Lane.it was owned back then by a number of people including ray Sherwin nad was one of the original starting places of the Chaos magick scene in the UK selling many of the early classics in the field along with excellent ingedients.I used to love their pot pourris as well. the standard dropped off a bit when the owners sold it on.
Steve JonesI don't know everything, I just like to give that impression!
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BLAKEY
- Posts: 2556
- Joined: Mon 24 Mar, 2008 4:42 am
Reginal Perrin wrote: Scandy Bramley wrote: Telstar wrote: Hi. I do remember going with my parents shopping in Boar Lane in the late 1950's/early 1960's. There was a gent's outfitter on Boar Lane that my dad shopped at. They sold top quality shirts made by Van Heusen (not cheap stuff !). I am not sure exactly where the shop was. I don't think that C&A was in business then. Hah - you posted whilst I were typing - the outfitters you mention was probably Rawcliffes, as I mention above!C&A didn't start until the 70's, I think?Good to see I'm not the only old gimmer on the forum! Rawcliffes was never a gents outfitters though. it was school uniforms downstairs and a sports shop (proper sports shop that sold darts and cricket balls) upstairs. It now has a shop at Great Clothes on York Road but i imagine the name will be gone pretty soon. Must with respect disagree Reginald - certainly for a long time Rawcliffes did sell men's clothing as described above, I had many items over the years including trousers, shirts etc., and my mate at one time worked in the upstairs department. Those Van Heusen shirts were top quality without being exhorbitant, and the range of separate collars in various styles was amazing.Does anyone remember the senior assistant for many years at Watson Cairns ?? He was a middle aged chap with glasses, in a grey full length smock He took his job very seriously and, although ultra obliging at all times, I don't think I ever saw him smile. For older friends who remember Coronation Street in the early days he looked very like the long suffering Jack Walker, landlord of "The Rovers." Other unachievable delights in the large central window included often one of the beautiful luxurious pale green Sunbeam S7 motorbikes (they were also available in fawn or black, but a green one always seemed to feature in Watson Cairns.)
Rawcliffes was never a gents outfitters though. it was school uniforms downstairs and a sports shop (proper sports shop that sold darts and cricket balls) upstairs. It now has a shop at Great Clothes on York Road but i imagine the name will be gone pretty soon. Must with respect disagree Reginald - certainly for a long time Rawcliffes did sell men's clothing as described above, I had many items over the years including trousers, shirts etc., and my mate at one time worked in the upstairs department. Those Van Heusen shirts were top quality without being exhorbitant, and the range of separate collars in various styles was amazing.Does anyone remember the senior assistant for many years at Watson Cairns ?? He was a middle aged chap with glasses, in a grey full length smock He took his job very seriously and, although ultra obliging at all times, I don't think I ever saw him smile. For older friends who remember Coronation Street in the early days he looked very like the long suffering Jack Walker, landlord of "The Rovers." Other unachievable delights in the large central window included often one of the beautiful luxurious pale green Sunbeam S7 motorbikes (they were also available in fawn or black, but a green one always seemed to feature in Watson Cairns.)There's nothing like keeping the past alive - it makes us relieved to reflect that any bad times have gone, and happy to relive all the joyful and fascinating experiences of our own and other folks' earlier days.
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Trojan
- Posts: 1990
- Joined: Sat 22 Dec, 2007 3:54 pm
Telstar wrote: Hi. I do remember going with my parents shopping in Boar Lane in the late 1950's/early 1960's. There was a gent's outfitter on Boar Lane that my dad shopped at. They sold top quality shirts made by Van Heusen (not cheap stuff !). I am not sure exactly where the shop was. I don't think that C&A was in business then. Oh yes it washttp://www.secretleeds.com/forum/Messages.aspx ... ighLight=1
Industria Omnia Vincit
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Trojan
- Posts: 1990
- Joined: Sat 22 Dec, 2007 3:54 pm
Reginal Perrin wrote: I can remember a few, in particular Combat Sports, Car Stuff, The Spastics Shop, some dodgy Curry House near C&A, The Koh i Noor. Not a bad place, we used to go there quite a lot in the seventies.In the sixties there seemed to be a branch of a tailor's shop on every corner in the centre of Leeds - Weaver to Wearer, John Colllier, Burtons. I remember a shop called Zuckers - I think they sold dress material - may be wrong there - on the part of Boar Lane between the bottom of Briggate and Duncan Street.
Industria Omnia Vincit
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FLOJO
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Sun 01 Jun, 2008 6:46 am
Trojan wrote: Reginal Perrin wrote: I can remember a few, in particular Combat Sports, Car Stuff, The Spastics Shop, some dodgy Curry House near C&A, The Koh i Noor. Not a bad place, we used to go there quite a lot in the seventies.In the sixties there seemed to be a branch of a tailor's shop on every corner in the centre of Leeds - Weaver to Wearer, John Colllier, Burtons. I remember a shop called Zuckers - I think they sold dress material - may be wrong there - on the part of Boar Lane between the bottom of Briggate and Duncan Street. Trojan you are correct Zuckers was I think next door to Rawcliffs and sold material plus all you wanted in haberdashery,behind zuckers on central road there was another material shop called Sam Taylors, that was when most people made their own clothes.
Ex Leeds Lass
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Si
- Posts: 4480
- Joined: Wed 10 Oct, 2007 7:22 am
- Location: Otley
BLAKEY wrote: Reginal Perrin wrote: Scandy Bramley wrote: Telstar wrote: Hi. I do remember going with my parents shopping in Boar Lane in the late 1950's/early 1960's. There was a gent's outfitter on Boar Lane that my dad shopped at. They sold top quality shirts made by Van Heusen (not cheap stuff !). I am not sure exactly where the shop was. I don't think that C&A was in business then. Hah - you posted whilst I were typing - the outfitters you mention was probably Rawcliffes, as I mention above!C&A didn't start until the 70's, I think?Good to see I'm not the only old gimmer on the forum! Rawcliffes was never a gents outfitters though. it was school uniforms downstairs and a sports shop (proper sports shop that sold darts and cricket balls) upstairs. It now has a shop at Great Clothes on York Road but i imagine the name will be gone pretty soon. Must with respect disagree Reginald - certainly for a long time Rawcliffes did sell men's clothing as described above, I had many items over the years including trousers, shirts etc., and my mate at one time worked in the upstairs department. Those Van Heusen shirts were top quality without being exhorbitant, and the range of separate collars in various styles was amazing.Does anyone remember the senior assistant for many years at Watson Cairns ?? He was a middle aged chap with glasses, in a grey full length smock He took his job very seriously and, although ultra obliging at all times, I don't think I ever saw him smile. For older friends who remember Coronation Street in the early days he looked very like the long suffering Jack Walker, landlord of "The Rovers." Other unachievable delights in the large central window included often one of the beautiful luxurious pale green Sunbeam S7 motorbikes (they were also available in fawn or black, but a green one always seemed to feature in Watson Cairns.) I think someone working at George Tate's in Otley has a green Sunbeam S7. I've seen it going in and out of their yard. They were supposed to be Britain's answer to the BMW R75, with shaft drive, balloon tyres and black painted rims and spokes. The engine wasn't a flat twin, however, but a 500cc inline twin. It was a poor seller, due to it's radical looks, poor handling, low power, inherent design flaws and high price. It's a classic now, though. I think the fawn or black versions were the later S8.Was Greenwood's on Boar Lane? I can't remember. I had a friend who worked there in the late 70s. An old gentleman came in and asked for three collarless shirts (they were fashionable with the young at the time.) My friend got his size from a top shelf and put them on the counter. "And six collars and a some studs, please," asked the old feller. "We don't stock them any more. There's no call for 'em," replied my friend. "What's the use of a shirt without a collar?! I won't bother then!" and the chap stormed out!
Rawcliffes was never a gents outfitters though. it was school uniforms downstairs and a sports shop (proper sports shop that sold darts and cricket balls) upstairs. It now has a shop at Great Clothes on York Road but i imagine the name will be gone pretty soon. Must with respect disagree Reginald - certainly for a long time Rawcliffes did sell men's clothing as described above, I had many items over the years including trousers, shirts etc., and my mate at one time worked in the upstairs department. Those Van Heusen shirts were top quality without being exhorbitant, and the range of separate collars in various styles was amazing.Does anyone remember the senior assistant for many years at Watson Cairns ?? He was a middle aged chap with glasses, in a grey full length smock He took his job very seriously and, although ultra obliging at all times, I don't think I ever saw him smile. For older friends who remember Coronation Street in the early days he looked very like the long suffering Jack Walker, landlord of "The Rovers." Other unachievable delights in the large central window included often one of the beautiful luxurious pale green Sunbeam S7 motorbikes (they were also available in fawn or black, but a green one always seemed to feature in Watson Cairns.) I think someone working at George Tate's in Otley has a green Sunbeam S7. I've seen it going in and out of their yard. They were supposed to be Britain's answer to the BMW R75, with shaft drive, balloon tyres and black painted rims and spokes. The engine wasn't a flat twin, however, but a 500cc inline twin. It was a poor seller, due to it's radical looks, poor handling, low power, inherent design flaws and high price. It's a classic now, though. I think the fawn or black versions were the later S8.Was Greenwood's on Boar Lane? I can't remember. I had a friend who worked there in the late 70s. An old gentleman came in and asked for three collarless shirts (they were fashionable with the young at the time.) My friend got his size from a top shelf and put them on the counter. "And six collars and a some studs, please," asked the old feller. "We don't stock them any more. There's no call for 'em," replied my friend. "What's the use of a shirt without a collar?! I won't bother then!" and the chap stormed out! -
BLAKEY
- Posts: 2556
- Joined: Mon 24 Mar, 2008 4:42 am
SI WROTE :-"I think someone working at George Tate's in Otley has a green Sunbeam S7. I've seen it going in and out of their yard. They were supposed to be Britain's answer to the BMW R75, with shaft drive, balloon tyres and black painted rims and spokes. The engine wasn't a flat twin, however, but a 500cc inline twin. It was a poor seller, due to it's radical looks, poor handling, low power, inherent design flaws and high price. It's a classic now, though. I think the fawn or black versions were the later S8."..................................................................................I had no idea that the beautiful comfortable looking Sunbeam S7 had such drawbacks as I was so in awe of its appearance - so in retrospect its perhaps a good job that I couldn't afford one LOLI did trade in my lovely faithful second hand BSA Bantam D1 125cc at Watson Cairns for the latest model, under the impression that I was onto a winner, the new Bantam D5 175cc. This horrible machine was a disgrace to the name of its most worthy predecessors (D1 125 and D3 150) and habitually refused to start throughout the time that I had it - I'm sure I pushed it more miles than I drove it !! I don't remember the exact details of its "Achilles Heel" but although it seems far fetched I THINK it had something to do with its much trumpeted new Amal carburretor which was said to have a "horizontal float" - a contradiction in terms if ever there was one !!I can't honestly remember a Greenwoods branch in Boar Lane - although there may well have been one - but I can sympathise with the old chap's annoyance about the lack of collars - your lovely anecdote had the beginnings of the famous Two Ronnies sketch about the hardware shop and "fork 'andles." LOL
There's nothing like keeping the past alive - it makes us relieved to reflect that any bad times have gone, and happy to relive all the joyful and fascinating experiences of our own and other folks' earlier days.