c1964 The old building at the junction of High Street and Station Road where Cyril Freeman had sold animal feed and seeds was opposite the railway stables which Cyril replaced c1950 with his new garage.
The first building where the animal feeds were traded.
The Co-op Funeral Care and the Band Club flanking the building, in 2004.
Bill Holt purchased the first vehicle they sold when they gave up the horticultural seeds and grain supplies - an old flat Austin lorry. On the door was painted: “Our business is small enough to be personal, large enough to be efficient” and it was a 5 cwt Standard pick up.
The garage was run by two brothers - Cyril was the elder and he was ably assisted by his younger brother Dick. At the time of closure the garage was run by Cyril's son Robert.
The garage and forecourt in1985
Top left - Queen Victoria Hotel, the railway from bottom left corner to top.
Foreground showing the stables. c1930
The site of the garage - built 1950
The garage and forecourt below in 2004
View from behind the the premises.
The brook in 1978 running behind Freeman's yard towards Spencer Park - now culverted - to the Greenway behind Asda store (2024). The brook then runs open except for crossing Washbrook Road
and open and fenced through Spencer Park in 2024.
1985 after the swimming pool was demolished
The garage buildings
The yard below looking up to Jaques & Clark factory & Midland Road
A market was tried here about 1990, shortly before Freemans closed.
Now a seating area - Queen Victoria Hotel in the background.
The forecourt and workshops behind the above picture, were in derelict state before eventual demolition c2015
