Memories of Owen Brown in town
BILL Preston of Ratcliffe on the Wreake has been in touch to name the people on the old Echo archive photograph which appeared to show a presentation of some kind.
The photo which had been pasted in an old Echo scrapbook with the legend “Owen Brown” written below.
Bill, 75, spotted his step-father, Owen Brown (junior) in the middle, as well as Owen Brown (senior), to the right and Les Coburn on the far left, who looks like he is receiving the gift of the television.
Owen Brown is a well-known name in Loughborough as the biggest tent and marquee business in thew town.
It all began around 1913 when Owen Brown himself began selling ropes and tarpaulins in the town markets and across the area.
It was later based in 38a Sparrow Hill and Bishop Meadow Road, before moving to Castle Donington. The business was acquired by GL Events in 2002.
Mr Preston, whose late brother was the well-known former editor of the Guardian, Peter Preston, was with the company from 1959 to 2006.
He remembers Les Coburn well and said he was the manager of the canvas workshop in Sparrow Hill.
Regular Echo contributor Mike Jones has also kindly sent in an old Echo clipping from 1961 which features the company and also an old shot of Hume Street next door.
Mike says of the Echo clipping: “Top left can be seen the Hume Street terraced houses, which butted up to the Cherry Tree Public House.
“The premises backed onto the then Cobden Infants School Playground. (Now Hume Street council flats).
“Next door, I believe, was a cycle shop and after that, what effectively served as the school Tuck Shop.
“Owen Brown went on to be the Chair of John Storer House for some years.”
• Do you have any memories of the Owen Brown company you’d like to share?
Please contact Andy Rush at Looking Back on 01509 635802. E-mail andy.rush@reachplc.com