Hickman Stores

In 1915 conveyance of Kia Cottage

In 1915 several local properties were sold by auction. They were all part of the estate of Thomas Dell of Saunderton, passed down from Joshua Dell, born 1757. One of them was Kia Cottage. It was described as "A piece of land with freehold cottage and outbuildings. For some years past in the occupation of Amos James". Harold Hickman bought Kia Cottage for £185. The Hickmans did not live there, but continued to let it to Amos James and his wife Pol Ann.

Two Dell boys with bicycles

1924 Harold Hickman built a house in the garden of Kia Cottage, on the Main Road in Lacey Green. He called it "Wembley". It was the year of the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Park, which maybe inspired the name. Downstairs, facing the Main Road was a large room, designed to be a shop. Harold & Emily Hickman moved into the rest of the house. This was to be "HICKMAN STORES", a much loved establishment for the rest of the century.

Conveyance 1954

1954 CONVEYANCE OF LAND. Horace and Ivy Mary Rixon sold to Emily Hickman, widow of Harold George Hickman of Hickmans Stores, Main Road, Lacey Green. Schedule. All that piece of land at Lacey Green, having a frontage of 68 feet to the road from Naphill to Princes Risborough and a depth therefrom of 36 feet, adjacent to Hickmans Stores to the north and 'Clovelly' to the south.

17^th March 1965.  Conveyance.   The executors of Emily Hickman conveyed to Bert Ralph George Dell, at the bequest of her late husband ---All the shop and dwelling premises known as ‘The Stores’, now in the occupation of Bert Ralph George Dell.

1967 Nigel Kelloway on the bike

5th April 1965 Conveyance.   Harry Floyd of Floyds Farm sold to Bert Ralph George Dell for £100.  All that piece of land, part of Floyd Farm, running in a narrow triangle to a point behind ‘The Stores’ and ‘Kia Cottage’. ( this Conveyance is archived in Lacey Green Village Hall)

1964    Now called "Hickman Stores", the property was altered, extended and modernised. ( The plan of the alterations is archived in Lacey Green Village Hall)

24^th February 1986   Conveyance.   Bert Ralph George Dell of Lacey Green sold to Brian Thomas and Barbara June Norris of 25 Goviots Green, Gerrards Cross. All that shop and dwelling premises, known as ‘Hickmans Stores’, with no land, for £95,000. (a certified copy of this Conveyance is archived in Lacey Green Village Hall.)

in 1988 Brian and Barbara Norris sold 'Highmans Stores to Derek and Maureen Woodbridge.

Hallmark November 1988 by Peter Trotter

The Village Shop provides the community with an invaluable service not always recognised by the casual visitor. It's a communication centre - a meeting place for people keen to keep in contact and exchange gossip; let alone buy the day to day necessities of life. Its services are not always appreciated. Our shop is not ideally situated - built in 1924 when the pace of life was slower than now - near a bend of a busy road, with parking difficulties. It is, at least, in the centre of the village and it seems to be experiencing a new lease of life. Cynics who say they can obtain more elsewhere, cheaper, forget the old and the young, those who do not pessess a motor car, what would they do without it?! Offset the cost of the bus fare, petrol and parking costs, then see if the large supermarkets with their long checkout queues are better. Of course they can stock a wider range of goods, but where can you enquire about your lost cat, or the address of someone in the village, or leave a message to be passed on. A service that's open from 7.30 am until 8 pm every day, seven days a week.

A new innovation, in addition to video hire, is a splendid selection of wines, spirits and daily newspapers. A clinic for physical therapy has been added. This service is provided by Christine Langley - H.T.E.C., who is a trained physiotherapist with five years experience gained in various clinics and practices. "It's a slow start up to now. I've had 12 patients in my first few weeks. I feel it's quite good considering the word is ‘not around yet'" says Christine. "in the meantime I'm keeping my options open because I'm also in my fourth year of osteopathic training. I hope to qualify soon and provide this service within the village.

Christire is the sister of Maureen Woodbridge, the new owners, who after 13 years in the Health Service with husband Derek who gave up running a welding shop, fulfilled a long ambition to run their own business. After searching all over the country they found what they were looking for right under their noses in Lacey Green after a chance remark to the previous owners. The Woodbridges now manage the shop with the support of the entire family who assist with serving in the shop. They are totally involved in providing a service with Derek at time helping customers with "Do it yourself" problems.

The business is slowly improving, wines and newspapers providing the extra turn-over to finance the many new ideas and plans they have for the shops future. We are indeed very fortunate to have such dedicated people in our midst - long may they continue.

If you accept the principle "use it or lose it'’ the hard work and enterprise of the new owners deserves all the support we can give them. Where would we be without the village shop? Poorer as a community. Don't let it become a neglected asset - USE IT !

Editor's Note. Peter mentions the parking problem - but that need not be a problem if we use the Village Hall car park - it avoids traffic congestion - your own car is safer – it only takes a few seconds longer - please try it.

1999.   Conveyance   The Stores was empty for three years before it was sold to Clive & Karen Hodghton as a technical music shop.   It was renamed Entertainment House

Hickman Stores