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Food Health History Palmers Green Shops Uncategorized

Have you tried the new helium bread?

Helium bread was one of the exciting delicacies offered at Goodall’s in Park Parade Palmers Green in the first years of the 1900s.

Leading medics of the day were testifying to its health benefits, including the King’s physician. And if you hadn’t tried it you were missing out, declared The Recorder in the housewives column of its first issue in November 1907.

I tried a four days’ old loaf the other day, and found it as moist as a few hours’ old household. There is no crust, merely a thin crisp coating. The shape of the loaf is such, that delightful pieces of toast can be made.

It was perfect for afternoon tea too, and look! no waste:

There is one thing about the bread: there never will be any waste; no odd crusts to throw to the birds.

Goodall’s version with added currants was, apparently, was particularly tasty.

 Neither of Goodall’s loaves were the best thing since sliced bread however. That wasnt invented until 1912.

  • The Recorder was published from 1907 to 1916. A searchable disc containing all 170 issues is now available  from Southgate District Civic Trust
An advertisement for Goodalls from the first issue of The Recorder, November 1907, reproduced by kind permission of David Cooper/Southgate Civic Trust

 

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Shops Uncategorized

Palmers Green institution to close after 94 years

C A Phillips art shop and picture framers is finally to close after 94 years in the same family.

Founder Arthur Phillips (c) Vernon Phillips

The business was founded by Arthur  Phillips when he was demobilised after the Great War in 1918. He specialised in picture framing and gradually expanded the business to incorporate artists materials.

After the Second World War, Clifford Phillips – the C A in the business name – took over, continuing much as before but adding graphics products to cater for the advertising boom.

Clifford Phillips (c) Vernon Phillips

Vernon Phillips entered the business during the 70’s and since then the company has specialised in artist’s materials, picture framing, restoration of oil paintings and antique frames, as well as stocking graphic art supplies, craft materials and technical drawing products.

W H Smith’s aside, only funeral director Seawards has remained continually in business – and at the same location  – for as long.

Current owner Vernon Phillips

Vernon Phillips had hoped that the business would continue after his retirement and the lease had been up for sale for 2 years.  Unfortunately there have been no takers, and C A Phillips is due to close its doors for the last time in June.  The care and expert advice of Vernon and his team will be sadly missed.

All images reproduced by kind permission of Vernon Phillips http://www.ca-phillips.co.uk/