Glasses for Chickens, and Heart Attacks in Rugby

 

Detail from Andrew Jackson, Jr.'s December 10, 1902 U.S. Patent application for an "eye-protector for chickens" (patent granted June 16, 1903).

Originally uploaded to wikipedia

 

Corner of Albert Street and Regent Place, Rugby. The "Moat" commercial and refreshment rooms. Woman with perambulator. 1900s

IMAGE LOCATION: (Warwickshire County Record Office)

Reference: PH, 352/152/182, img: 2219

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There’s a hotel where the job centre is now, the corner of Albert Street – I can’t remember what it was called, and they used to sell chicken specs, and the gum to put it on the beak, for sixpence. This is to protect chickens from each other – if they see blood they peck the other to death.

Three heart attacks in a day

In the first article, I spoke of my family history, but my recent history has been busy, too. In the year 2000, I had three heart attacks in one day. I was driving the number 4 bus, and because I was an Ambulance driver previously, I knew the signs. So I parked up, phoned the depot to send a relief driver, and went to the doctor’s. He said there was nothing wrong, I just had a cold, but then I went to St Cross..

I then became a bus monitor to make sure the buses were running on time. I retired about two years later after I worked in the cash office, so I retired on medical grounds.

Busier now!

I’m busier now than when I was working! I turned myself to work as a volunteer, counselling, at the Benn Partnership. I took over the gardening 2011, and now I’m a  trustee and a leaseholder. I got a service award from Myton, and dress as a mascot for them. I also volunteer at St. Cross.

Owning a shop in Oxford Street

The desire to help people has always been there. I used to have two shops in Oxford Street for 14 years and used to do fundraising events there. I used to have an off license and a video hire shop.  The shops were called Open All Hours, because the off license was open an hour later than all others, until 11.

I started them in 1984. From the day I opened until the day I shut, I never closed one day, including Christmas. One time I bought a flowerpot from Wilkos for 50p, we auctioned it for fundraising, I got them to bid for the pot, and it was sold for £250.50.

Carrying on a family volunteering tradition

My children also do charity work. One daughter feeds the homeless people, my wife cooks the food. It’s good they keep on the traditions.

This article was published as part of the Warwickshire in 100 Objects project, part of Warwickshire Bytes.