West Dean in Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

The Village Shop

— West Dean Village History Trail —

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 1, 2025

1. The Village Shop Marker

Inscription. The shop was opened in 1871 by Thomas Edney. Later his daughters Phoebe, born 1860, and Caroline, born 1868, took over the running of the shop from him and it was to stay in the family for 70 years. Caroline married John Street and he joined her at the shop. The 1911 census shows John Street as a grocer and farmer. Their children Alfred, aged 12, and their daughter Edna, aged 8, were living with them as was Kathleen Pearce, their fifteen year old housemaid and domestic servant. Phoebe, by then aged 51, was visiting them at the date of the census. Alfred's Street's life was to be short. He was killed just before the end of the First World War and is commemorated on the War Memorial in the churchyard. As was then the custom the church bells tolled to alert villagers to his death and his memorial service took place at the church on 3 November 1918.

By the time of the Norman Court Estate sale in June 1945, Number 5, described in the catalogue as "The Village Stores with House attached", was let to Mr A. E. Budden at a rent of £40 a year. It was bought by the Buddens for £1500. Mrs Edith Budden ran the shop until she decided

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to retire in about 1972 when she decided to close the shop to continue living there. Her choice of the time to retire is attributed variously to not wishing to cope with the change to decimal currency (15 February 1971) or the prospect of VAT (introduced 1973) or perhaps was a combination of the two. The house is a listed building, once a pair, built in the 17th Century and extended in the 18th and 19th Centuries.

Erected by West Dean Parish Council. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 51° 2.553′ N, 1° 38.114′ W. Marker is in West Dean, England, in Wiltshire. It is on Rectory Hill, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Dean, England SP5 1JQ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South West England.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what

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was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: West Dean Farm (here, next to this marker); Tower House (here, next to this marker); Number 23 Clare Cottage (here, next to this marker); West Dean School (here, next to this marker); Dean House (here, next to this marker); The Post Office (here, next to this marker); The Wheelwright's and Blacksmith's Shop (here, next to this marker); Henrietta Crook House (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Dean.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 141 times since then and 29 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on May 16, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. photo of the marker within its surroundings • Can you help?