Suzanne Page among some curios of the past

A step off Watford’s High Street on Tuesday led me back in time 70 years. For this week, and next, Clements have staged a Victorian Exhibition as part of their 70th anniversary celebrations.

Decorating their windows are contrasting Edwardian dresses and ‘68 fashion trends. Why Edwardian? It was explained there is great difficulty getting hold of Victorian dresses as film companies and television studios have them out on loan already.

Nevertheless, the models look extremely authentic and what was a most elegant era is certainly brought to life again.

Stepping through time, I first saw a 1912 Ford car (on loan from Norman Reeves) which is insured for £2,000 and which was driven through Watford’s one-way system on Thursday. Next to this antique is a striking contrast – that of a 1968 Ford Anglia, which is the prize in Clements car competition.

Salesgirls have swapped their mini-gear for long, sedate Edwardian attire, and stand like dolls round their counters.

Passing from the ground floor, with its anniversary flags flying at the counters, I folllowed the signs to the exhibition.

Built in 1897, when Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, Clements store first opened its doors to the public in 1898. At the time it opened, Kitchener was fighting the Battle of Omdurman in the Sudan and on show in memory are swords, military equipment of the time, and a military uniform.

Fascinating luggage is displayed, including a 26in Gladstone bag, bucket hatcase, bath trunk and carriage trunk. Next to these is a rare sight for the cooks among us. A black gas cooker of that era with two funny gas taps, sits cheek by jowl with a modern automatic gas cooker.

Let’s pass from cookers to shoes. An exciting collection of lace-up boots dated 1890, infants’ nailed boots (1885), lace court shoe (1914), button bar shoe of 1890 and button boot (1914) are displayed.

Other reminders of a changed Watford are an antique cash register and some olde worlde adding up machines.

Food warmers, porcelain nightlight holders and dishes of the 19th Century bring a smile when one thinks of the electric lights and hot plates of today.

An 1850 ship’s lantern and mid 19th Century traveller’s candle holder are grouped on another table.

In the middle of Telephone Fortnight it is appropriate to see a number of antique telephones dating from 1900, like the National Telephone Company’s house exchange system phone to a 1928 “Candlewick” telephone used on exchanges with all-figure dials only. A Bell transmitter from the House of Commons, which replaced one damaged by bombing in 1941, and an 1837 four-needle telegraph instrument by Wheatstone, one of two, are also there.

Three Victorian chairs were elegantly poised against posters asking for war volunteers.
Wigs, not so out-of-date now, completed the setting. The styles created were the Victorian “Marcel waved wig” (1900) and the Gibson Girl style (1905). Prominently displayed was a cheque signed by Princess Victoria, dated October 27, 1834, before she became Queen.

It was quite a jolt to be brought back to the rush and tumble of the ‘60s and to realise that in 70 years, Watford’s population has trebled to over 76,000, buildings have spread over the green fields which once surrounded a sleepy market town, and prices have soared to astronomical heights.

[From the Watford Observer of May 10, 1968.]