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Feedback and Memories of Suters Ltd If you have any memories of Suters in Slough, Uxbridge, Ruislip, Windsor, Asford (Middx) or of G W Suter Draper in Ledbury we would appreciate your stories. (Also when the business in Slough and Uxbridge became Owen Owen in 1978) Did you work at Suters? Did any of your family work there? Did you to shop there? We will not publish full names unless requested to do so, or unless on an open Facebook group or website. ____________________________________________________________________ March 2018 - Tom Suter showed Philip a flyer of the old 1930's Uxbridge removal service - This was then posted up on the Facebook CAN YOU REMEMBER OLD SHOPS AND PLACES IN UXBRIDGE Public Group and produced several memories -(As this is an open group names are quoted) Peter Gunter I was a removal man for Suters in 68. We had 2 vans that were parked behind the police station. Joan Piper Did you know Archie from Hayes End ?? He worked at Uxbridge as a removal man for many years. Peter Gunter Could it have been Archie that l worked with in the 60s. He must have been in his 60s then. Lovely man. (Archie Taylor) Joan Piper Yes he was he lived near me in Hayes End he was in Hayes End Drive & I was in Blacklands Drive later I remember he went to live with his Son in Australia as his wife had died .He was only very slim but strong & told me he are nettles as his greens & always made nettle soup. Peter Gunter Ive just read the link regarding the removals. I remember Archie telling me about the tricky move to the island in the Thames. One move l recall was Raymond Baxter who moved to Denham. Both vans were needed. He gave us all £1 10s each. Very nice man. One odd fact l recall was the vans both ran on petrol. Yes he was a very strong man and much smaller than me. He was always happy which made the work easier. We had another chap that worked with us for a short period. Patrick from Ryefield Ave. Hilingdon. Peter Gunter I had very little to do with inside the shop. We had work every day. Some work we took on was via Bestaways. But do recall it was akways the work they didn't want to do. My dear old dad was macebearer when mayor Suter was in office. I think he was Fred Suter. (Arthur Suter) Joan Piper There was a nice man in the furniture dept I remember he had been a prisoner in Japan was rather thin tall I can't think of his name Philip's Reply Can't remember his first name, but I too remember him, Mr Neville who lived in the Chalfonts. Joan Piper I worked in Payroll & Mr Frank Mr John I got know quite well & then of course the sons gradually took over. Mr George did come in occasionally. Jerry Brindley My nan worked for Suters (& Owen Owen) in the ladies clothing dept for many years...mainly at Slough Patricia Handley I had a Saturday job at Suters in Uxbridge in mid- 60s ... Lamson tubes, staff canteen, a sedate, old-worldly atmosphere .... William Harris My mum worked for Suters in Uxbridge, during the war and lived in one of the Suters flats, near Slough station when they were first married. She used to 'fire watch' off the Uxbridge Suters roof. William Harris I remember my parents being friends with a chap called Jim Read, who I think was a floor manager at Slough Suters. (Cyril Read)
Joan Piper Yes I worked for him while waiting to go in payroll as it was Sales time I wrote out his tickets for lots of his sheets & tea cloths also knew Mr Collet. Joan Piper I was there Xmas1960 helping in the Toy dept Mr Frank asked me as I was a Mother of two young boys I would know what to advise other parents what to buy ,I loved it but of course later my main job was a Pay clerk but I did empty the Tils some evenings & worked in the cash office when they got bust on the Lamson. Dave Morgan I started working at Suters at christmas time in the toy dept then moved to linens for the January sale, spent a lot of time in the basement repricing stock in the basement....then moved to soft furnishing dept for next 3 -4 years...Mr Burnell was buyer/manager there. Janet Littlewood wondering if you would have known my Mum, Peggy Moody, she would have been on the ribbon counter in the early 60's but later went on to work in the office. Sheila Pearce 10:18am Mar 9 Oh golly, one of the Suters! Loved the store in Uxbridge, right from a tiny child, best Father Christmas visits ever. Remember the dangerous X ray machine in the shoe department, through which you could view the bones of your feet inside your shoes! Also the extraordinary money tube vacuum arrangement for paying when you bought something. Money would be put in a tube and shoot off somewhere, and then shoot back again. Magic! ____________________________________________________________________ 16th
May 2017 - We are looking to promote ourselves in the area. Over the last 3 years we have held reunions and get-togethers all over the country, but never in the south east, as we were never quite sure where we should target ourselves. Can you help? Are you aware of any groups, forums or informal gatherings of ex staff, where we can promote the Trust? Basically, the Trust offers regular and one off grants to ex staff with service over 2 years who fulfil our financial criteria." We
exchanged a couple more emails and have created The
Owen Owen Trust page with information supplied
by Karen and details of the Facebook page for The owen Owen Trust
Below is feedback from Facebook group pages. Slough 1970s Facebook group - May 2017 Trisha P... Loved this shop worked there for a short time in the late 60s Steve B.... My Mother-in-law worked there for some years, Trisha, as a Charnos rep Amrit O'..... Worked there in the Beauty Room in 1975 for 3 years . Julie T..... Both my parents worked there.....Mum in the Mac dept & Dad in the Café Moira S...... Our Mum Ann H.......worked in Owen and Owen for years selling jewellery Lesley-Jean F....... I loved Suters before it changed hands but it is wonderful to see Owen and Owens family trust wishes to help former employees. Eileen O....... I worked there on a Satarday in 1975 Fantastic Suters loved the sweet wheel by the lift Caroline C...... I worked there from 1980-1984...in Haberdashery and China and Glass Delia C...... Worked there from 1976 through to 1988, did my retail distinction at Windsor college thanks to Suters, managed several departments under Owen Owen, met my husband there and my all time best friend Susan P....r. The training I had and experiences set me up for life. Enjoyed every minute working there and would turn the clock back if I could. Happy days and fond memories, remember the Lamson system? Sheryl W... I worked in Owen Owen Slough for about 2 years 1984-86. I worked in China and glass menswear and toys. Remember a manager called Mrs jaggard, Mr goodchild, and remember a Christmas theme " the store that believes in Santa Claus" Caroline
C.... I have a badge that says that Gloria L...... I had been face timing my sister in Canada only the other day about the shops we used when we lived in Slough I said I loved Suters she couldn't remember it but she loved Owen & Owens which I can't remember. Sylvia S.... I worked at Suters in Uxbridge as a Saturday girl and during school holidays in 1972/73, the Lamson system scared the living daylights out of me but I soon got used to it and I even learned to operate the lift .... it wasn't automatic, you had to manually stop it at the floor and then warn customers to mind the step up or down! Rob P......... was the lamson system all those tubes that the money went through and your change and receipt came back? Sylvia S.... Yes! whizzed all over the shop and up to the accounts department! Steve B..... British Airways had a massive version of it in their cargo operation at LHR, where it sent the Air Waybills, etc., around the cargo facility in much larger tubes. Rob P......... I was always mesmerised by that as a kid.I also remember the tannoy system where they would call someone's name (employee obviously) followed by a number,was that a phone extension? There was someone called Mr Robert and my mum told me that they were watching to make sure I was being good Sylvia S.... Mr Robert and Mr Michael used to "walk the floor" just keeping an eye on everything, the Suters equivalent of Mr Peacock in Are You Being Served! Rob P......... so when they called their name followed by a number,what was the number? Lorraine W........ Over the tannoy we would call a name and extension number for them to call. Sylvia S.... I think that was the department number? I remember working in Gloves & Handbags one Easter holiday and having to look continually busy ...... such a quiet department!! Tracey ........ Handbags was Hever a quite department always things to do Sylvia S.... Yes, tidy the gloves. And then tidy the gloves again. Oh, and again Cherian....... i used to love this shop i was always in there on Saturday mornings Dave ........ I did quite well there, starting in bedding and toys and then became asst manager on menswear,until we had a new manager on menswear who made it clear from day 1 that he didn't like me. In an effort to make me quit he had me moved to ladieswear but Mrs Jaggard encouraged me to stick it out and eventually I ended up back where I started before leaving to become a carpenter. Mostly a really good experience though. Sharon .......... I worked in Owen Owen firstly on the ground floor then moved to the top floor as assistant floor manager to Irene Wallis, had a great time. Caroline C.... Remember Irene Wallis..she was in beds at one point wasn't she? Sharon .......... Well I never caught her sleeping on the job lol. Yes top floor, beds bedding ,carpets, bathroom lighting, curtains and toys. We had a lot up there. Martin S..... Started as the lift boy part time then worked in goods in for a while, whilst at collage. Tracey ........ I worked at Owen Owen under Mrs j started on ahead of hair menswear haberdashery fashion accessories then all other departments around store Susan P...... This is a blast from the past Delia and I started at Suters on the same day back in 1976 names that come mind are- Mrs Drury -whaty Mr Cullen - Mrs jarrard happy days Lisa P.......... I got my ears pierced in Owen Owen Lorraine W........ I worked up in Owen Owen general office and switchboard early 80's. Great crowd and ended up house sharing with a few of them. Bonus of also meeting my hubby there. Elizabeth C........ Personally don't like Debenhams Anita ......... I modelled there cloths did a fashion show in Fulcrum
Tracey F..... Yes it was owen Owen then Allders
Hayes, Hillingdon and Uxbridge Past and Present Facebook group May 2017 Tasha B.......... I worked there but I'm not over 60 Terry R....... theres an Owen Owen store in Coventry during second world war. has brass plague on it commemorating death of fireman. apparently he was on high ladder directing water through roof when ladder either caught fire or it snapped and he fell through roof into fire. Lisa D....... My late mum - Joan Parkes worked there in Suters which became Owen Owen in Uxbridge . This was in the late 70's early 80's I think .She worked in the haberdashery dept .I remember watching the money in the tubes go around the store ! Janet G........ I liked Owen Owen we bought our first vacuum cleaner there when we were new in the area. Sad when it closed. Tasha B.......... I was assistant sales manager of China & glass and cards in Owen Owen....I also worked for Wedgwood in Owen Owen for a while Lesley R.... I worked in the cash office for while think it was 86/87 Adele B..... I worked in owen owen on the fragrance counter for 3 years Ann H...... I had a Saturday job in the shoe department when it was Suters. Must have been 1972 Garry P...... I used love the toy department on the first floor Tom D..... Used to go and see Father Christmas every year Allison M...... Used to like the cafe Maxine S...... I had a Saturday job in Suters in 1975 Maxine S..... I remember queuing up on a sat eve for my wages in a little brown envelope from Mr. Suter ____________________________________________________________________ 12th December 2016 - Paul L - Suters was the best shop in Slough, when you was a child. Christmas was the best, as it was decorated on every floor. The escalators took you up to the toy store level and the first thing you saw was the Chemistry sets and cabinets full of test tubes and chemicals. I remember walking around cabinets of Corgi and Matchbox toys, displayed and deciding what I wanted for Christmas and Birthdays that year. ____________________________________________________________________ In
August 2016 Rosanne Goreham from Middlesex made contact with Philip
Suter and very kindly sent this The following replies came in: Patricia H Haberdashery in the front of the store and the shoes on the mezzanine at the back, just after the clothing, Toys and Furniture on the top floor I think. I still have my Suters card somewhere, they sold the uniforms for my school (LV) school at the slough branch too. Debbie W My sister worked there in a boutique! Karen O'L I loved Suters! I remember the wooden drawers with glass fronts. Also the tubes that sucked up the money. Wonderful department store Susan R S My Nana worked there, I remember the tubes they put the money in, used to fascinate me as a child Patricia D Remember the tubes that the money was put in and the lift. Debbie T My mum used to take me to see Father Christmas there as a treat. I still remember the sledge ride to get to Santa and how wonderful I thought it was. Michael S Always loved Suters - went passed it every day going to and from work. Was always the place to buy "special" presents. Purchased a Poole Pottery dinner service in mid 70's which is still used daily and now that we live in Poole have found out you can still obtain pieces - a couple of plates cost more than we paid for the full dinner service !!! Alan P I remember being taken there as a child to be fitted for my shoes. They had a wonderful machine you could look through to see how your foot fitted in the shoe. An X-Ray machine! How times change.
9th September Christine W Loved Father Christmas and the sleigh ride. Also nearly got crushed to death when Tony Blackburn opened a new boutique there in the late 60s Olive P I bought the materials for my little bridesmaids & page boys outfits in Suters 1973. 10th September DebbieD P Thought it was Randall's that the sleigh ride was in. Philip Suter I remember from as a small child a ride every year, could be a boat or sleigh and it was on the second floor at the front of the building. You got off through another doorway to see Father Christmas. Sorry no idea if Randalls also had one as I was only taken to the Suters one Stephen F My mate worked there in the men's department when he left school in 1971 it was a lovely traditional shop. Are you being served TV programme always reminded us of his time there, as he had to wear a three piece suit and a bowler hat and he was only 16.
11th September Terry R Getting the old fellah that operated the lift to let us kids ride up in it after Saturday morning pictures at the Odeon. If he let us, we'd ride up then run down the stairs and try again. Never let us on the second time. Michael C Santas Christmas grotto on the second floor and the lift with the caged doors and tgr old man that operated it ____________________________________________________________________ In April 2016 a copy of the sale particulars from an auction at The Feathers Hotel, Ledbury on the 25th November 1919 was added to this site here It was also posted on the "Old Ledbury" Facebook page and the following comment received from Andrew Turner who said "I think it would be whatever is in between the bookshop and the bank, perhaps still SEZ which was a cafe and a women's clothing shop? . Both 5 and 6 used to be my grandad's : "J.T. Walters" drapers and furnishings. Just out of interest, the last time I was in the bookshop the flooring was the same as I remember my dad installing 49 years ago" Then Roger Baker send a message "It seems that George Allison Suter, stood for the local council in 1894"
___________________________________________________________________ On the 11th December Philip released this Press Release -Suters Ltd Department Stores website
Comments received..... 11th December 2015 Tina B Lots of fond memories if going there when I was young. Karen H I loved going to see father xmas there & toy dept. Yvonne F B me too Louise E-N Suters always had some wonderful things... I would go in every Saturday when I went into slough just to have a look, and if I had the money spare to buy something, then it was in here I bought it.... Very sad its not there anymore, like all the good stores they've gone and so is the slough we all once knew. Martin E Worked there, my 01st job started September 1976 !!!!! Alan B I also worked there....( toy department) lol...memories. Janet P I loved this store, and seeing Father Xmas there was great. Rosalyn G Friends of mine met at a Suters Christmas party in the late 60 s and still going strong Carrying on the conversation on to the 12th, 13th, 14th December Tina B Lots of fond memories if going there when I was young Janet P I loved this store, and seeing Father Xmas there was great. Angela S Loved the sweet carousel!!! Yvonne F B they used to have money chutes Saraan d G My mum used to take me to the cafe and have a treat of Welsh rarebit after school Christine P I remember the man that operated the lift Debbie T Lisa H your mum use to work here Alan R Used to love Santa's Grotto there as a child ! Eileen O I used to work there on a Saturday when I was 17........ Carole P I worked in the toy dept in Suters on a Saturday in 1976/77 Kathy E I still call it Suters!
Christine P I don't think many would, Suters was such a wonderful unique shop with a lovely Atmosphere Philip Suter Unfortunately have no photos of it even tried Slough Museum's collection. I remember it was red with white baskets...I think! Angela S It was! I also loved the ride (on bench seats which moved from side to side in a darkened area) which arrived in santas grotto. Got a toy tiered washing up stand with all utensils, plates etc from Santa. Loved it! Happy memories! Best Santa ever, too! Must have been 1966/67? Christopher Y I worked on the rebuilding of Suters for HD Bowyers local builders in the 60s Claire F My biggest memory of Suters is from Christmas the wonderful trees that were put on the front of the building. Were they are huge as I remember, or was it just that I was small back then?! Philip Suter They were tall in slough imitation tress that used to go back to storage in India Road. They were very long. My photo attached (think I was about 12) In uxbridge there were always real ones on a flat roof at front and rear.
18th December - Bob S My Sister had her first job there, I remember her in her green leather mini skirt and a ghastly orange jumper. David B I used to work in there distribution centre I enjoyed every minute of it wish it never closed as would still be there now worked with Joe peter Steven mike Walters who was manager and loads of others some who may not be here any more best job I ever had Christine M Wonderful to have that much personal history available to keep track of one's family. Most impressed Suters. Philip Suter Still trying to find any scandals though!! 20th December - Eddie O'D My Auntie Francis worked in the toy dept.in the 50'sat Suters. 21st December - Fiona D Wow this pic has brought back some lovely memories Mary H My sister used to work on the ground floor glass and crockery Jan N I worked here too and loved it heart emotion xxx Deena L My Husband had something to do with it when it was Owen Owen, can't remember what now, was it sold to Ward White at some stage ? Christopher Y I think its a Alders but havent been back to Slough (Sluff) for a while Carol C I worked in the glove department on Saturdays during the early 60s. Marguerita O'R My Auntie Francis worked for years on the top floor toy dept Sue S Oh I loved that toy department, happy days Marguerita O'R Yes best bit was the cafe was on the same level! ___________________________________________________________________ On the 8th December Philip posted the following on the Slough 1970s Facebook group page
Comments received..... 9th December 2015 Melanie F My Berkertex wedding dress came from there too. used to love going with Mum to the restaurant too! Happy Days! 9th December 2015 Beverley D Bought my wedding dress in Suters 8th December 2015 -Paula M I've still got all my Pippa dolls my Nan bought me from Suters!!! 8th December 2015 - Julie R sister Imelda worked there 8th December 2015 - Sharon W I remember going there as a child and loved watching the money go up the shoot to the office. Then worked there when it became Owen Owen, worked upstairs on the top floor soft furnishings and toys. 8th December 2015 - Dot H Worked in toy dept probably 63/64 toy in pics look very familiar. Remember Lego being launched we all got a pack think those bricks are still doing the rounds of the younger generation in the family even now! ____________________________________________________________________ From Slough 1970s Facebook group - November / December 2015 7th December 2015 - Jay L Worked soft furnishings on Saturdays 67/68. Remember Fiona on SF she married another SF person who had an MG Midget. (1st lesson in difference of having no money) Moira Mullaney from Gerrards Cross on ground floor was my then girl friend. Great days. PS reply Many thanks, Tom and his wife Doreen are still very much about, but his brother David passed away many years ago. Also now over two years since Richard (Dick) and his wife passed away. I am still trying to persuade my other brother Robert to write something for the Suters site 4th December 2015 - Constance R.Yes you can certainly use the photo on the Suters site. Gerry moved to Norwich some years ago and I halve not heard or seen Harry for quite a while . I always liked the second floor and I remember Richard . Tom Suter was often on the second floor with us and David was around a lot too . We all liked Clarence ! He was a very nice gentleman !!
3rd December 2015 - Constance R. I worked on the second floor with Gerry Goodchild ,Harry Ponton and Irene Wallace when Mrs Brown was in the cash office . On the net curtains !! Really busy days and no calculators !! We had to add our daily takings up without any of these !! That is why we older folks are brighter than the younger people of today !! 2nd December 2015 - Constance R. Wonderful reading and brings back so many happy memories ! A wonderful family to work for and we were recognised for our hard but enjoyable work . I worked there from 1975 until 1991-2 and remember all those on the photos !! Great !!! Suters used to get packed out on a Saturday afternoon Andy there were queues waiting to get served by helpful staff !! Changed days now !!! I worked in Suters for 17 years !! Happy days !! Debenhams now and hardly any staff on the second floor now !! Never go there much now !! Bad service nowadays and everyone so miserable !! SAD !! 22nd November 2015 - Nicky F The best Santa was always in suters Christine W - I can remember Christmas time in Sutters when they had a Santa grotto which seemed like you went on a ride in a stage coach or a train carriage and it seemed like you were travelling to get to see Santa in lap land ,when you got off Santa was there and he gave you a present, anyone else remember this. Ruth M - No pics sadly but memories are never forgotten. I loved Suters it had the best toy department around here. ____________________________________________________________________ From Slough 1970s Facebook group - March 2015 16th
March 2015 - Gerry W. worked
at Suters ate at Zorba 4th March 2015 - Lindsay M. there was a great toy department in here, Denise B. I loved walking round the store on a Saturday morning ____________________________________________________________________ From Slough 1970s Facebook group - February 2015 25 February 2015 - Maggie S. Do you remember suters dept store? My mum worked there in the 70's in menswear she said it was just like are you being served, they even had their own Mr Grace. 25 February 2015 - Carol C. I worked in Suters on Saturdays while I was at Langley Secondary in the early 60s. I worked in the glove department with Violet Peck - I often wonder where she is now. ____________________________________________________________________ 23 December 2014 RE; William Parker Suter and Jane Mousir - Would you like any further information on William Parker Suter and Jane Mousir who moved to Queensland, Australia during the 1880's, They were my G-G-grandparents. Best regards, Chris Mott Sydney, Australia PS reply Hello Chris Many thanks for your email. That would really be fantastic. My brother in law Richard Ensor researched the family history back in 2004 / 2005 and this additional information would be most welcome. I presume you found the website by searching for William Parker Suter. The really early section has only been live for a couple of weeks now. Look forward to hearing from you. 26 December 2014 Dear Philip, Please find attached an extract from my family tree spreadsheet which covers the Suters. These extracts only cover "historical" persons, all living persons have been deleted. I've added some dates and other information from your website that I had not found myself. I tend to think that the three daughters of William Parker Suter and Jane Mousir where rather well educated. My mother says that Emily was one of the top music teachers in Queensland in the early 1900's whilst Annie Eliza was qualified as a lawyer and was active in the suffragette movement in Australia during the 1890s. Most descendents of my Great grandmother Agnes Bertha Suter would probably be living in Townsville which is located in north Queensland but there are also a sprinkling in Brisbane, Sydney and the Hunter Valley to the north of Sydney. Wilfred Arthur Suter (Bob) Chaillon on the first sheet was my grandfather.
26 December 2014 "Suter" was my grandfather's third given name. (I was told he didn't like either the Wilfred or the Suter.) He was my mother's father. So Mott comes from the other side of the family. Go to page here ____________________________________________________________________ December 2014 " I have just been reading through your Suters website, which is very interesting. I then stumbled across the Supercar and Stingray photos which were very unexpected. I work with Jamie Anderson, son of Gerry, who made Thunderbirds and all the other great puppets series in the 60's. I was wondering, would you be interested in answering a Q&A or jotting down any more memories of Bob Bell/visits from the art department and the puppet window displays? We would like to do a small article on Suters, as its connected to the history of the studios in the 60's. The article will be published on the official Gerry Anderson website. http://www.gerryanderson.co.uk We have it on record that Bob & Derek (Meddings) used to shop in Slough at Woolworths for any bits and pieces which in turn could be used for props and various craft. However, there hasn't been anything documented about Suters and we would love to know more. The photos of the window displays are fascinating. Many thanks, James Fielding - More about this here ____________________________________________________________________ From Slough 1970s Facebook group - December 2014
Trisha: if my memory services me right l was working there during that time!! l think l finished there around 66/67 nice job at christmas James: I remember the Suters paper bags. My mum and sisters used to shop there in the 70's John: Was a kid and liked the toy department. Also remember the money shoots that rose above the people in the store connected to the tills
Margaret: My children used to spend hours in the toy department, it was a great shop. It is a shame family business seems to have died out. All run by faceless people now. Margaret: We used to take the children to santa's grotto every year at Suters. ____________________________________________________________________ 12th
December 2014 - Hi Philip, I've just been reading with great interest,
some of your family history on your website. I was particularly interested
in the Ledbury part because your ancestors and mine were neighbours.
My ancestor was at No. 4, the grocer, Charles Pedlingham .. (the 1951
article that you have included, has him as
C.Podlingham.)
Hi Lynne Many thanks for the information and reading my brother in law's article, I will change the name to Charles. I have had this family history for a few years now and really did not read much of it till I started copying to put on the website. My late father left Ledbury when he was around 10 but never lost his love of the town or the accent he spoke with. It was still there 80 years later! 13th December - Could I be really cheeky and ask you to change The "O" in P"o"dlingham to an "E" as it should be Pedlingham. Visit page here ____________________________________________________________________ 10th December 2014 - Philip Suter contacted the "Old Ledbury website" about a photo on Suters - The Early Years Part Two and a fire at 5 High Street Ledbury after the business had been sold several years earlier. Link to page Here. The details of the reply from Jo at Old Ledbury are by the photo and additional one supplied however she made the following comment too "I have visited your website and viewed your lovely old photos of Ledbury,The group is fundraising at the moment for a microfilm scanner to eventually get the Ledbury Guardian newspapers digitised. This will of course unlock all the info that we seek for our family trees. A handful of members are busy at the moment transcribing the WW1 Ledbury Guardian Newspapers that were digitised as part of a Lottery Grant to the Herefordshire History part of Hereford Library. Your relatives are turning up in the transcriptions. If you visit our website and search on SUTER and SUTOR you will find the listings. If I find anything else I think is of interest to you I will of course send it through directly to you. Jo Old Ledbury Facebook Group & Website . Vist the Old Ledbury website Here ____________________________________________________________________ 14th October 2014....SUBJECT - Suter family and shops - COMMENTS - Thank you for the interesting website. My father was Rector of Slough, and I was a Saturday girl in Baby Linen at Slough Suters I can't quite work out the generations. I remember Mr Clarence, and I think that there were two sons - Mr Richard and Mr ? Hmm Mr Clarence was reputed to be very stern, and I was once asked anxiously by another member of staff "What did he say to you?" "What were you doing?" and I said "He asked me if my father was better." PS reply "15th October 2014 Thank you so much for your email. It is fantastic hearing from people who used to work at Suters and I am very pleased you found the website. My cousin Tom and brother in law Richard Ensor put a lot of work into the history. Clarence was my uncle and his two sons were Tom and David, however there were a lot of members of the family involved in the business. Richard (Dick Suter) was there in the early 1960s and then left and was back there again in the 1970s till it was sold in 1978. He passed away in 2013. Thanks again for getting in touch, Kind regards Philip Suter" 15th October 2014....Thank you very much for sorting out the names for me! Yes, of course, the sons were Tom and David. There was, I think, a member of the Miller family (Rev Philip Miller of St Giles in Reading) who married a member of your family? The reason that I remember Mr Richard was that I'm fairly sure that it was he who scolded me at Christmas (probably 1960 to 1962) for making a silly mistake, He wasn't (I think) unkind, but it seared my memory that I was scolded in front of a customer who was a parishioner! One or more of the three was, I think , in charge of another shop, perhaps in Uxbridge. Many thanks for helping me to sort out these memories ____________________________________________________________________ 14th August 2014.... "I worked on Saturday's while ending school 1956ish. I was on haberdashery opposite hosiery. Remember Mr Clarence passing round the store hands clasped behind his back and Mr Tom. There was Mrs Jones and a lady called Yvonne who took me under her wing and we went to lunch at the ABC on the Crown corner. My granddaughter is now working for Debenhams Slough - Edith" ____________________________________________________________________ 6th August 2014:....."My brother knows that I collect memories of Slough (I come from Langley) but somehow he found a photo of Suters and sent it to me. I then looked on the internet under Suters and there it all was. I knew Tom Suter and his brother David (Uxbridge) but not as well! I was very fond of Clarence! Pat" PS reply "Hello Pat Pat many thanks for your email. Very interested to know how you found about the Suters Ltd site? 5th August 2014:..... "I worked at the old Slough store from 1956 to 1959 and had a wonderful introduction to the world of working for a living! I remember with affection Miss Hughes, Mr Tom Suter, Mr Clarence, Thelma, Margaret, Brenda and many others from that time. I went from Paper Patterns to Baby/School wear - Pat" ____________________________________________________________________ 9th June 2014:......."Thank you for this site, I spent 9 very happy years working for Suters Slough. I think often of the friends I made and have not seen or heard from for many years. I got the best training possible by the best people. I still think of Tom Suter and how he could put the fear of God into me, or Richards office where you couldn't see him for the cigarette smoke. The laughs, the fun and after all this time I am still a retailer still have a passion and for that thank you. Margaret" ____________________________________________________________________ 8th June 2014... "I worked at Uxbridge Suters, first as a Saturday job and then full time both in the office. The office manager was Miss Brown. I was on the switchboard and general office duties. Each night I had to put one telephone line through to Mr Arthur's home. One night I forgot and got a stiff note on my desk the next day. I didn't forget again. Mr Arthur was mayor of Uxbridge at one time. When I was a Saturday girl I work in the Lampson room some of the time. Later my mother joined the company working in the Lampson room. sadly she died whilst she was employed by Suters. Later on I moved to the outskirts of High Wycombe (Hughenden Valley) one of the Mr Suters owned he main farm in the valley. Shirley"
____________________________________________________________________ 14th April 2014..."I found your very interesting site via a post on Facebook that's encouraged some nice reminiscing about the Slough store: I'm 51 now and haven't lived in Slough for a very long time. I do, however, have very fond memories of trips to the town centre with my parents and brother. No shopping expedition was complete without a visit to Suter's. My brother and I always begged for the same treat as soon as we started walking in the direction of the store - a bag of sweets from the revolving pick and mix machine! Perhaps because it was an occasional treat and all the more precious as a result, I vividly remember the machine very fondly. Collecting a paper bag, watching the tiers of baskets go round, hoping our parents and the staff weren't looking so we could enjoy the experience even more and grab our favourites without pressing the stop button! Simple, happy memories. There are some lovely photos and articles on your site. I wondered if, by any stroke of luck, you have a photo of this glorious piece of engineering? I'd love to post it to the Facebook page so we could all enjoy seeing it again. My best wishes to you and your family. Kind Regards, Michelle - PS reply: Thank you so much for contacting me and telling me about your experiences with the revolving sweet machine. I remember it now and when I was at Bourne and Hollingsworth in London they were interested in buying it, but never did. I don't have a picture of the machine, but will circulate your email around to see if anyone else has. If one comes to life I will let you know and in the meantime thanks again for making contact." ____________________________________________________________________ 16th April 2014...."I am researching family history and am interested in any additional information you may have on Carrick & Coles"
____________________________________________________________________ From Slough 1970s Facebook group - April 2014 Dot: Fascinating reading worked there in the early 60's, forgoten about Mr Clarence! Michelle: Thank you for sharing. My Grandad was the manager there - Following further investigation we found out he was Mr Cyril Reed, manager of the Suters in Slough store. Debbie: I pushed the button and stopped the escalator in there when I was about 4yrs and got smacked legs to boot. Gary: My mum worked there for a while. Julie: Both my parents worked there a good few yrs bac.....Mum selling macs on the 1st floor & Dad in the cafe at the top! Louise: I loved that pick & mix machine...but when I tell people about it now, they look at me as though I'm mad! Maybe horizonally revolving pick & mix was unique to Suters Michelle: Louise, thank you for that perfect description! Let's be happy that neither of us are mad - amazing machine!! I think it had about six baskets in each row that as you say, revolved horizontally. I think there was a button to stop it when a variety you liked came round - but we used to find it much more fun to grab the sweets while it was still moving and got away with it only if our parents or one of the staff didn't catch us! Jacky: I thought the pipes they used to transport the money was brilliant.
Tony: Outside London the best toy department. Brian: They had an after shave range in Suter's in the early 1970s - called 9 Flags and each different country had a different aroma - they were all fantastic. Colette: Used to love wandering around that store. My first recollection of seeing Father Christmas was there I'm sure. Pam: Loved Suters I think House of Bewley was near there somewhere. Tricia: Yes Pam it was just a few doors down, loved going there for tea and cakes on a shopping day, l also worked at suters for a little while great shop. sad all these shop are either closing or have gone Angie:The upscale shop Graham: one of the very first stores to have an escalator. Maria: My nan used get my school uniform for St Anthony's from there, summer dresses would last 2 years if she sewed a white band around them hem. Same dress just a bit longer. Amrit: Used to work in the Beauty salon..loved it. Jay: Worked on Saturdays in late 60s on habidashery. Got the sack because my hair too long. Graham: it was built by H D Bowyers where i was an apprentice. Yvonne: Always met my friends outside Suters on a Saturday. A lovely Department Store. Sally: My mother worked in Suters in Uxbridge many years ago. It's a sports shop now, I believe Karen: Thanks for sharing Philip Suter. I think everyone remembers Suters....from the china department in the basement to the toy department on the top floor.....great memories. Gloria: Just a thought, when Suters, Isaacs, Waitrose & the like left the town, that was the beginning of it's downfall Christine: My favourite time to visit Suter's in my childhood was in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The whole shop used to look, smell and feel like Christmas. Such excitement for us kids. One of life's treasured memories ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Francis Frith website - Uxbridge 40s 50sand 60s A Memory of Uxbridge In the fourties, fifties and sixties my mum used to work in Suters in the china department. Someone else remarked about their payment system. I believe it was called a Lampson Service. One put the money and bill in the bullet, stuffed it into the tube,it went to the accounts section and change came rocketing back. Very exciting to someone who was young. In Suters shoe department there was a machine that could show pictures of your feet. I guess it was Xray so totally unusable today for medical reasons. Visit Page Here Comment by Philip Suter "I too remember these machines both at Uxbridge and Slough. They were called a Fluoroscope.
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____________________________________________________________________ Please note: The General Data Protection Regulations May 25th 2018 - Please note we do not collect any personal information from visitors to this website. Links to Google Analytics were removed in March 2018 ____________________________________________________________________ Source of images, unless otherwise stated - Suter family archives |
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Dave
Morgan Does anyone remember Mr Plumtree who was buyer/manager
of the linen department on the ground floor in the 1950's/60's, I
think he came originally from Lancashire or Mr Collet who was his
assistant manager? I worked at the Uxbridge store from 1965 until
1970 approx.Philip's reply Hi Dave, I do as a child,
working in the linen department at Uxbridge on the ground floor. I
thought it was on Suters Ltd site but not, have photo above left.(now
on
Philip
Suter had an email from Karen Sloss the Trust Manager of Owen
Owen Trust. Oween Owen was the company that bought Suters
Ltd in 1978 and ran it for the next 18 years. "I have been
reading your page with interest. I am the manager of the Owen Owen
Charitable Trust, a charity based in Liverpool that supports ex staff
of the Owen Owen Group. We have beneficiaries in Slough and Uxbridge,
but not as many as we would like, and i am sure there are more people
out there who could benefit from our grants and support. 
Gloria
H....... Clearing the cupboard under the stairs today, & found
a carrier bag with a receipt in it for Allders dated 31st. Dec.00
think it must have been Allders for a while before Debenhams. Am I
right?
Image
Source Roger Baker of Old Ledbury Facebook Group
PS
Reply: "Dear Jane Many thanks for your email. I did
not reply before as I was waiting to hear back from my brother in
law Richard Ensor to see if he could help. He had researched the earlier
Suters history which is now on the website. 
