CAPEL HISTORY TRAIL
No. 4 - Larkin's 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 we know that the store was taken over by C J Edwards at some point between 1901 and 1911 and then became known as Edwards' Supply Stores.
Edwards promoted their business frequently in local newspapers. Below are two examples:
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 [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 [around £6 in today's prices]
From the image above, Edwards offered a delivery service as this photograph, most likely from the late 1920s/ early 1930s, confirms.
Both Mr Larkin and Mr Edwards served on Capel Parish Council - and other committees in the village as Mr Edwards was a member of Capel Tennis Club which played at the Recreation Ground - and their wives were active in the Women's Institute.
The picture above was taken in 1957.