Articles
The History of Hartley Antiques
Then and now - The Living history of our village
What is now Hartley Antiques was once a bakers – we think the order was Bonners, Stevensons, Bellchambers and then Wellers. The ovens were at the back and were later changed from coal to gas. The tins were placed in the ovens on big shovels, known as peels. They delivered all round Horsley in three-wheeled vans, and in addition to bread, made wedding, birthday and Christmas cakes. Wellers later let part of the shop to a hairdresser and there was a tobacconist there at one time. A dentist practiced at the back of Wellers known as “Butcher Harris”.
When Mr and Mrs Weller retired, they sold the business to Mr Smith, a greengrocer. He was only there for about 18 months and then sold it to his friend Horace Meech, the estate agent. Joe Hartley took over part as an antique shop and then took over the rest when Meech moved near Conisbees.
