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Stuart Audio
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A nostalgic question for you, can you remember the Half day closing in Rushden? Simple for so many of us, as you immediately say “Thursday,” and it is still observed by one of our longest serving shops in town. The chance of now getting any sort of electrical component, or spares in Rushden has got slimmer, since we lost Wheatcroft’s in Church Street and May’s shop in Moor Road in Rushden.
Proper Hi-Fi equipment with dials and sturdy volume controls and switches, can be found and admired on the shelves. The names such as Akai, Teleton, Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, Sanyo would be bringing us the latest gear from the land of the Midnight sun. It was great equipment, and had all bells and whistles for you to twiddle around with, and of course you had an instruction book to go with it. (not a download version). Stuart Spares owned and operated by Mr John Baker, started off by doing an apprenticeship under the watchful eye of Ron Jaques, at his Wellingborough Road shop. Back in the 1960s our winter weather was considerably colder than we experience these days. And to make matters worse, the staff tried to keep warm by relying on a two bar electric fire, and Ron was expressing his concern about the cost of paying the bill. (power was much more affordable too). |
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So a cheaper, but less effective method was to have a “glow effect” fire, with a bulb that was the useless source of heat was used. John decided to open up his own business, after a spell of working for a firm in Kettering. His service department was at “Refuge Terrace” in Higham Ferrers. (this location has now gone). One unusual offering, was to give your transistor radio a 208 booster service, and for the princely sum of 5/6d, they would give the likes of Radio Luxembourg and Radio Caroline a possible 100% boost in power. This was in the time that the BBC gave us little, or no Pop music. So radio shows were broadcast from the Principality of Luxembourg, and from Easter 1964, Radio Caroline was anchored off the East coast of England, broadcasting from a radio ship. |
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A great font of knowledge was then to be found in town, at the bottom of Crabb Street, and Stuart Spares was the first port of call, at 57 High Street South. Prior to having everything on line, and buying all things under the sun from Amazon, it was a treat to visit a retailer, speak to a human that was knowledgeable and keen to demonstrate his, or her ideas on how to get the best sound for your budget. Is it me or do you still miss the idea of walking in to a showroom full of Radio’s, TV’s, toasters, and a washing machine, or three?Down Rushden High Street we had numerous showrooms that would set the pulse racing, and it was an absolute pleasure to walk in, and see what was on offer. The good old Co-op had a great showroom, as did Curry’s at 87 High Street, and Clarks were selling pop records, and every sort of TV and radio etc. at 114 High Street. During the daytime the test card was being transmitted, with the set demonstrating a colour picture. And who recalls the daily transmitter service announcement in H Yorks TV and radio showroom. This was because the TV signal was broadcast on 405 line VHF, and could be affected by high pressure, allowing continental signals to reach us. Going from the days of the Cat’s whisker radio set, valves, and then maybe to transistors, and the move to the digital broadcasting world of 2024. The transmission methods have changed so much over the last one hundred years. And the once popular Long Wave band is gradually being wound down. This follows the announcement in the Spring of 2022 that the BBC was to stop scheduling separate content for Radio 4 LW in anticipation of the closure of the LW platform, owned and operated by a third party. |
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Radio 4 LW had started to run targeted on air trails, giving listeners an advance notice of the coming changes. All programmes on Radio 4 LW – Shipping Forecast, Daily Service, Yesterday in Parliament and Test Match Special – would eventually be available on other BBC platforms. The hefty, but great sounding loudspeakers with names on a shiny bronze badge, Wharfedale, Celestion, Tandberg, Celef, would deliver the audio to our then more receptive hearing. If you had a really big budget you may have dipped in to the Scandinavian world of Bang Olufsen? But the geographical manufacturing map is now gravitating towards the East for so much more now. Try to buy a British made pair of shoes in Rushden these days. Moving in to new premises in Wellingborough Road during 2024, previously being located in Washbrook Road, as was featured in one of our previous articles.
Stuart Spares was established in 1961, and specializes in new and quality second-hand Disco-Group P.A-Lighting & Hi-fi Equipment, including DJ mixers, CD players, full-range speakers, disco lighting effects. In addition to sales, the company offers a hire service for various equipment. John Baker will enjoy demonstrating some gems and giants from the world of Hi-Fi. (High Fidelity). Visit the showroom at 147 Wellingborough Road, Rushden, NN10 9TE, or ring 01933-312352. So if you want proper Hi-Fi equipment in Rushden, go and visit Stuart Audio for friendly advice, and a sound service.
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