Post War Everton

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After the Second World War ended in 1944, life in Everton was still dominated for many villagers by deprivation and difficulties. Clothes were still rationed until 1949 and food until 1952. The village shop provided the basics and an occasional bike or bus ride to Potton or Sandy could get most other items. Four grocers used to come and take orders which were delivered the next day. Two butchers used to come round on a Tuesday morning. The wet fish man came round on Friday. It used to be Mr Wren of St Neots. Mr Jennings of Potton used to supply paraffin oil and Jordans provided pet food and corn for poultry.

 

During the 1960s a government modernisation policy began. Many of the old thatched cottages along Sandy Road were demolished and replaced with more spacious council houses and large gardens. Warden Hill Farmhouse remains but a private estate was built on the land behind it. The WAAF camp opposite the Recreation Ground was demolished and the Lawns, a private housing estate was constructed. A temporary Post Office was opened in one of the houses. Other council houses were built on Potton Road.

 

In the first half of the century most families in Everton were involved on the land. There were about twenty-five separate holdings on the Pym estate between Sandy and Everton. In the 1990s there were only five. Most of the villagers today work away from the area in Bedford, Stevenage, Luton, St. Neots, Milton Keynes and London.

 

The village shop closed down in 199- following three ram raids and rent increases. The building was demolished and a block of four terraced cottages were built and rented out. There was a prospect of a new village shop being built in the St Mary’s Walk estate but it never materialised.

 

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