History of the Colchester Road Garage, Bures

Colchester Road Garage ( Opposite the Eight Bells Public House)

Garage Constructed opposite the Eight Bells and adjacent to River House

Circa 1960 -1965
Three Rolls Royce`s in for repair

Photograph courtesy of George Warden

1966 - Douglas and Janet Shepherd from Arthur Hartridge
1st Floor extension added
Later they purchased the Doctors Surgery and the associated strip of land to the left of River House
Colin Ambrose employed as Mechanic

Flooding,early 1970`s >>>>>

It wasn`t always the River Stour that overflowed,

In the 1970`s the brook in Water Lane would overflow from rain storms,
with water running down Station Hill to the Essex Knoll.
This would bring the road traffic to a halt.

Flooding was a common occurrence until the 70/80s

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Extract from WI History of Bures 1951
The river, which was the lifeblood of the village, could be a source of great hardship in wet winters. There have been some terrible floods.
The mother of one member, who lived on the low part of the Colchester Road, used to make sure of having in a stock of bread, and then made tea, and the daughter had a boat in the street.
With the aid of a man named Lester, and the use of a pitchfork she maneuvered the boat so that he could hand-the tea in cans and the bread to the people who were obliged to be upstairs until the flood went down from their lower rooms.

One house in particular was very dangerous to get at, owing to being so close to the river and the swiftness of the current.
A clothes line was tied to the handles of the cottage doors, so that those in the boat could pull themselves hack in case of emergency.

Flooding on Thursday 19th Sept 1968 >>

1971 -Mr Billota of Tottenham
Peter Barnard was his Manager and lived in the flat above the workshop

1972-Peter Barnard

My father, Peter Barnard, initially became the manager of the garage during 1971/2. During my teenage years, I took these photos, with the last captured from our back garden. I have loving memories of my time in the village.
At that time, the garage was owned by an American man named Mr. Billotta. In the early days, the garage also served as a boutique, offering a selection of clothes, toys, and general goods. However, things changed, and my dad was presented with the opportunity to purchase the business in 1972 and run the business for approximately ten years.
Eventually, my dad sold the business in 1982 to The Agricultural Spraying Company, and shortly after, it was sold again to Colin Ambrose, who had been my dad's head mechanic.
Throughout all these transitions, my dad continued to reside in the flat above the garage. I split my time between living with him there and staying with my mum in Boxted.
Around 1982, we moved to Leeds after leaving Bures. However, after my dad's passing in 2002, my brother and I decided that he should rest where he was happiest.
He now rests peacefully at the cemetery up Cuckoo Hill.

Text by Noelle Langdon, daughter of Peter Barnard.
dated 09/01/24

1982 Agricultural Spraying Company based at Bakers Hall

Circa mid 2005, trading as "C Ambrose Motors"

During Dec 2006, Colin decided it was time to part company with the property and find smaller premises.
This also resulted in the "His and Hers Hairstylist" which was located in a small white office to the right ( see photos below) having to relocate.

Colin relocated his business to a unit at Fysh House Farm and the Hairdresser became mobile.

The Garage closed down as the new owner wanted the land for Development

UPDATE March 06 - with it now sold, informal discussions have taken place with the Parish Council about turning this property into a retail outlet.
A Co-operative store gained a lot of local support.

Circa 2007:- site still as the earlier photograph taken January 2006.

Summer 2011, the site is still vacant and for a few months during summer and autumn a Car Wash appeared operated by a group of Eastern Europeans.
Closed down Oct 2011, then a few months later it re-appeared again ?

Mid Summer 2014, Car wash closed down

Mid 2014, I contacted the Co-operative to see if they were interested in building
a store on this site ?
Although they viewed the area, no response was forthcoming

Braintree District Council were very sceptical of a Convenience Store,
because of the traffic congestion and possible parking problems
There was also the problem of Fuel Tanks installed under the forecourt.

January 2015 :- Property still unoccupied

The building to the right (His and Hers Hairdressers) was now saturated with damp, to the extent it was now permeating into the party wall with River House
The site owner was totally disinterested

April 2015:- Site now cleared of debris

June 2019:- Site now For Sale
Vacated since 2006

With Planning Permission to build residential properties