Pymoor - Blacksmith's Shop

You can just make out how this old lock-up shop on the east side of Main Street had some 15 feet added to the front before it was finally closed in 1986 and boarded up.

Joseph and Ada Saberton bought the shop from Mr Cooper and a few years later, in 1897 moved from the neighbouring village of Little Downham to Pymoor.  Originally it was a blacksmiths.  The extension was built to house a growing bicycle busines.  By 1922 or 1923 there were other cycle shops in the village and with the competition the Sabertons decided to move into groceries and it became a general store.

Joseph, born in 1872, continued working for many years, shoeing his last horse at the age of 84.  Hugh, Joseph's son, took over the running of the shop between 1920 and 1937.  Then Horrie took over and worked there until, on 6 March 1941, he was called up for war service.  This is when Vera Saberton took charge.  Horrie died in 1979.  By this time Joan Saberton was also involved at the shop.  Vera and Joan were both involved up to its closure in 1986.

The house next door, the corner of which is just visible in the picture, was built in 1913 and then became Joseph and Ada's home.  Vera lives there to this day.  Joan lives in a bungalow on Pymoor Lane.

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