The oldest document that we have is dated 29th November 1888, which details the purchase of 14 Preston Street (and 1A Gatefield Lane) by William Henry Kemp (harness maker) for the sum of £550.

It is on parchment, and has five wax seals on. Next time I’m passing, I’ll try and remember to pop it in the car, call in and introduce myself, and show it to you.

We purchased the properties in 1969 (for £6,000), when it was part occupied by a dressmaker, although shortly thereafter, No.14 became a restaurant.

In January 1990, the chimney stack of the Council Offices next door was blown down and landed on the roof of Number 14, causing a lot of damage to our property. (It subsequently came to light that the chimney stack had blown down four years earlier in the Great Storm of 1987, and had been rebuilt incorrectly).

And in 1999/2000, we had to carry out extensive remedial work to the property, including repairs to the oak frame and exterior walls.