Childhood reminiscences of business in and around East Street, Taunton, 194 5 onward
By Jon Cozens

My earliest recollection, is when, as a 5 to 6 year old, I used to go into the business occasionally to “help” my father and great uncle! The shop was of course the jewellers, R.L. Cozens & Son, at 5, East Street. Great uncle Robert had founded the business in 1888, moving to No.5 in 1894. Although in his mid 80’s he still came into the shop to “Keep an eye on things” from time to time, and I remember him sitting in his old swivel chair (which I subsequently used many years later) with a handkerchief over his face after lunch for “forty winks”! The real business was overseen by his son, Dennis, and his nephew (my father), Bill. At that time we had an opticians section, which Dennis ran, whilst my father was in charge of the jewellery side of the business. We had one or two staff to help, the senior being a Miss Ward, whose nickname was “Duck”, a lovely kindly lady, who turned her hand to anything asked of her. I remember her re-threading pearl necklets when not too busy. There was a workshop in the rear with a watchmaker and clockmaker at benches. The workshop was large enough for four men, but with the war there were only ever two there in my memory.  I joined the firm in 1957. In 1962 the shop front was modernised, previously having looked somewhat similar to the old Drayton’s shop front (now “Accessorize”) looks today. Again in 1980 the shop was extended, this time sideways, taking in No. 6, which used to be the coffee shop, Carwadines, formally Johns. We really missed the smell of roasting coffee after that! 

In the early days my first memory of “selling” was around 1945-46 (aged 6!), when I was sent over to Harry Hook’s grocers. They had the large corner premises opposite us with a lovely old copper kettle hanging over the door. Rationing was still in force. I wanted to “help”, and “Uncle Harry” allowed me to serve a customer, Mrs Smith, who was asking for sugar. On discovering that the ration was still awaited, and trying to be helpful, I told Mrs Smith “I am sorry we haven’t got any sugar, but we have plenty of soap!”

My father usually bought cigarettes from Mrs Brunt, the Tobacconist, whose shop was about where the entrance to Marks and Spencers is now; The shop had lots of airtight mahogany cabinets and wood panelling similar to ours, and the smell of tobacco was lovely! At the back stood a beautiful old musical box, which, if I played my cards right, Mrs Brunt would wind up and play for me! Sometimes I would go to see Mr Coles in his leather and toy shop on the corner of Magdalene Lane; again the smell of leather was lovely, but I was, of course, more interested in the toys!

Harry Hughes had an Antique shop in Paul Street, before it was widened, about where the steps up to the library are now. Father would frequently do business with him, and from time to time we visited his shop. A dark, fascinating place, filled with furniture and lots of other treasures. I had to be careful there not to knock anything over!  Harry Hughes had a great friend who was also a dealer called Bill Keightley. A real gentleman, rather like Arthur Negus! He attended many sales in the area, and used to call at the shop quite frequently. He was an expert in many things. I always remember that, even when I was only around 10 years old, he always called me “sir”! Opposite Harry Hughes’ shop, long gone now, up a little lane was a blacksmith’s shop, (about where the turntable is now behind the Superdrug shop). I remember one day we saw a horse being shod there.

Occasionally we would visit the engraver’s Caswell and Grant in Bath Place (now “The Piercing Shop”). It was another funny little shop, very dark, with nothing downstairs. The bell rang when you entered, and you went straight up dark and winding stairs to the first floor, where, in the front room sat two men amidst what seemed a great clutter. This was where George Grant and Norman Culverwell worked. I never knew Caswell, as he had died before I ever visited. His work, however lives on in many homes around the Town. He was a beautiful engraver, particularly of dogs. He also produced many illuminated scrolls over the years for special occasions. George was also a fine engraver. He used to play skittles with my father, who said that he had taught himself to play left handed, to avoid any possible damage to his right hand! Norman also became a very good engraver, and only retired in the mid eighties. Life in those days was not the rush it is today. There seemed to be time to stop and have a chat to people, and yet still to be able to complete the day’s work.

Jon Cozens