Memories of Rochford
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A tandem tale
By Graham Lewis
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I read your pages with interest as I am Rochford born and bred.
My family had the A Fance Butchers Shop in the Square, where I was born in 1958.
We were related to many other Rochford families including Potter (grocers), Bacon (blacksmith) and Roughtons (garage).
Mark Layton’s memories of his Grandfather Hugh Roughton were of interest (see Roughton's Garage)
I also remember Uncle Waller, Aunty Lyle, Uncle Percy, and Aunty Effie.
I believe the connection was to do with my Paternal Great Grandmother Steed.
I bought a Tandem bike with my first wage packet in 1973, Uncle Waller offered to do it up.
A start was made, it was dismantled.
Grandfather Alf Fance joked it would never be done! Ted used to promise he’d get round to doing it.
Even after the Garage shut Uncle Waller wrote to assure me that the bike ( by now a frame and boxes of parts) were safe and he’d be in touch to tell me when I could collect it. I never saw it again!
I also have studied the history of the market, I’d love to know if Reg Janes ever put his findings into print?