Street Traders - Reigate 1930s

Before the days of supermarkets, convenience stores and widespread use of the motor car many tradesmen would bring their business to you. Bob Tant has kindly supplied us with his childhood memories of street traders in Reigate during the 1930s.

The Muffin Man
If you had a little spare change left by Sunday afternoon you could buy yourself a delicious treat. When the muffin man visited the Nutley Lane area he would attract attention by ringing a bell. He was a tall fellow and balanced his tray of muffins on his head. He wore a black overcoat, black boots, a black cap and leather leggings.

The Tea Man
Mr Dan the Tea Man was a very tidily dressed little man who came from the Chart Lane area. He rode a trade's bike with a large carrier on the front. In the carrier was a large box stocked with tea, on top of the box was strapped a case and in the case were the samples. Mr Dan would take the case to the householder's door from which they could choose from a wide selection of teas. Bob believes he also sold camp coffee.

The Rag and Bone Man
Contrary to the popular image of the rag and bone man with a horse and cart (as immortalised in the sitcom, "Steptoe and Son"), Mr Hobson from Redhill was the only caller with a van. He visited regularly with a pair of scales and would buy rabbit skins (it was quite normal then to skin your own rabbits), rags and bones.

The Gipsy Peg Lady
Bob's mother bought all her pegs from the Gipsy Peg Lady. The pegs were wooden and hand made. His mother would make her a cup of tea and enjoy a chat at the front door but she would never let her inside.

"Brompton Billy"
Brompton Billy was actually a door to door salesman. His nickname was coined from the Brompton Throat Lozenges he sold. He also sold dusters, scourers, dish cloths, thread, pins and needles, shoe and boot laces, polish, brushes etc.

The Scissor Grinder
Peter the scissor grinder came up from Sussex during the summer. He only had one eye and wore a long black coat, trilby and shoes without laces. He pushed a rickety old barrow laden with all his belongings and cooking pots. The grinding stones were worked by a treadle and Peter would sit on a seat between the handles of the barrow. He camped in the woods on the right hand side of Pilgrims Way. Bob and his mates enjoyed having a chat with him. Sadly Peter's itinerant lifestyle got the better of him when one night he got wet and died of pneumonia.

The Fish Monger
Fishy Wickens, as Bob remembers him, had his barrow by the Red Cross public house. He was an ex-guardsman and, probably in deference to this, still waxed the ends of his moustache. With his distinctive moustache, bowler hat and white apron Fishy Wickens has left his mark on Bob's memory. After listening to the Reigate Town Silver Band in Market Square (by the Old Town Hall) on Saturday evenings Bob and his Dad would sometimes stop at the barrow to buy shrimps and winkles for Sunday tea. This would be a real treat for all Bob's family.