Our Newfoundland Road shop in 1973, much as it had been throughout the 1960's - some would say in its late summer, after the heydays of the 30's, 40's and 50's. At this point, Helmore & Hunt had been continuously trading in Bristol for 46 years. Scroll down to read what life was like in the shop during its final days ...

Len & Ted were quite the characters by this time and would always engage in lively conversation. Ted was a philosopher and an astrologer, so the talk was by no means limited to valves and all things electronic (except transistors, of course!) Many an afternoon was spent discussing the nature of the dream world and the practicalities of dealing with a lion walking through the door - imaginary or not!

To actually buy anything at this late stage was extremely difficult - and many the unwary customer would enter - expecting to simply pick up what they thought they wanted, only to be told "Go home and bring the old one back so we can test it for you!" Another favourite trick was to place items in the window priced at £0-0s/-0d, which in pre-decimal was of course - nothing. We would always laugh when the inevitable customer entered and asked "So how much is it?" Naturally, the deal was good - and it was theirs for the taking ....

Your author first met Len & Ted during 1968, after having many times looked wonderously at the shop from a number 16 bus and badgering his Mother to take him in there. She was not at all pleased when her young son left the shop with a sackful of bits, plus full instructions on what to build with them and how to do it - plus an appointment for "Same time next week!"

That held good and by the early 70's, I was the regular "Saturday Boy" ...