Half a Pound of Tuppenny Rice: Life in a Yorkshire Village Shop

At the turn of the century John Taylor, a Yorkshire apprentice grocer, was out of work. Half a pound of butter on a table in the front window of his home, and his wife's delicious jams made from fruit from his brother's market garden were the beginnings of his village shop.
At the centre of the community, the village shop was far more than simply a supplier of essential stores. The friendliness and warmth that existed meant customers were cheered up with a gossip and a bag of broken buns if they were feeling down, and given a sympathetic ear if they needed to put their purchases 'on the bill' when money was tight. The commercial travellers who called were similarly entertained, even enjoying a meal of bacon, eggs and HP sauce if they were feeling hungry.
Collected here are some of the many episodes and memories of a life which revolved around the village shop in the first half of the century, a time when groceries were delivered free of charge and customers were regarded as members of an extended family.