Age Concern Dorchester - Dorset's Living Memories

Dawkins of Axminster

Peggy Baulch (nee Webber) writes...

I used to work in Dawkins in Axminster Square.  It was a great big shop that sold everything. 

 Miss Shepherd ran it and Mr. Burrows was the manager.  Miss Shepherd wore great big hats.  She was such an old fusspot and she controlled everything that happened in Axminster, but she was really nice.  I worked in the dress and coat department and they had these things that you put the money in.  You pulled a string and the thing went off along a track on the ceiling and went to the office.  It was quite unique and messages were sent, money paid and change sent back all through these things.

We ‘lived in’ at Oak House.  They preferred you to do that rather than to go home.  Miss Shepherd’s girls were very special and well known around Axminster.  It was fun in Oak House, very enjoyable.  We had to be in by 10 p.m. though or we got a telling off from the housekeeper.  In the summer about six of us went along the Kilmington Road.  We’d walk all across the road and sing at the tip of our voices.

I was about 21 then.  I left there to get married.