CAPEL HISTORY TRAIL 

No. 2 - Larkins Village Shop

Mr William Larkin's shop was a true emporium as you can see from the display signs above the windows. A grocer, baker and drapers, it sold just about anything that the people of Five Oak Green would need. In this picture you can clearly see a brick wall at the front of the shop. A part of it still remains to the left of the current entrance. 

Again this photograph has no date but the clothing of the man stood outside the entrance, suggests it was taken in the decade before or just around the First World War.

Originally there were two doors, the left-hand one leading to accommodation next to the shop which has now become the entrance to the store. The other door was  blocked off and you can now see on the left of the white portion of the building that juts out towards the road. This work was done when the Post Office moved here after Tully's shop closed (no. 11 on the tour). 

The picture above was taken in 1957 and shows the store then under the name of C J Edwards and known as Edwards' Supply Stores. It is not known exactly when the the Edwards took over the store but they promoted their business very frequently in the local newspapers. Below is an example from the Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser of Friday 13 February 1925

FIVE OAK GREEN - THE BEST Seville Oranges for your marmalade at 10 a 1s. are obtainable at EDWARDS' SUPPLY STORES  [that is around £4 in today's prices]

Similarly from the Kent & Sussex Courier of Friday 04 July 1924

FIVE OAK GREEN - WHY GET SUNSTROKE, when yon can purchase Field Hats from 1s. 6d. EDWARDS' SUPPLY STORES [that is around £6 in today's prices]

Both Mr Larkin and Mr Edwards served on Capel Parish Council - and other committees in the village such as the Tennis Club - and their wives were active in the Women's Institute.