Time passes and tastes change, which is apparent when looking at some of the business
adverts printed in Edwinstowe’s St Mary’s church magazine during the first half of the 20th
century. In addition to the general groceries, residents could purchase fresh trapped
rabbits, tripe and cow heels. A Bath chair was available for hire, so, too, was an electric
orchestra for dances and socials, and an Electrolux vacuum cleaner available for 2/6d per
day (12½p). If you had a radio, an accumulator was needed which would require charging.
This would be called for, charged and returned. Looking for entertainment, then high on
the list was a visit to the Major Cinema which offered “major pictures of the World’s market
in comfortable surroundings”.

Certainly, a different way of life compared with today’s advanced technology, and
international cuisine available in the supermarkets. But it is possible that products and
services during the first few decades of the 20th century may have been considered an
improvement on the preceding years. Interesting to wonder what future generations will
think about the current era.
A recent addition to the website www.edwinstowehistory.org.uk relates to Fred Kitchen,
born in Edwinstowe in 1891. He was a farm labourer, who became a writer and
broadcaster.
The talk on 15 th March will be presented by Rowena Edlin-White, entitled “Women’s
Suffrage in Notts – No Surrender”