Comments on: Gary Arber, printer

By: Geoff Moor

Geoff Moor — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 05:06:30 +0000

Tried to visit when on a trip to the U.K. and London in 2013 but he hadn’t opened that day and thus we (Bob Richardson and I) missed out. Spoke to him on the phone and he didn’t know when he’d be there unfortunately due to ill health.

By: joy derrick

joy derrick — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 22:14:22 +0000

used to go into this shop to buy my childrens toys and quite friendly with garys aunt and remember seeing gary as a dishy young man who seemed to spend most of his time downstairs with his printing presses

By: Shawdiane

Shawdiane — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 15:05:14 +0000

Hello Gary; Thank you for your delightful photos & account of your wonderful little shop, which London must retain as a ‘keepsake’. Please make a record of the shops history, these
are important facts which should not be lost. Mrs Pankhurst actually used this shop &
all the other wonderful historic facts should be maintained so I hope either a book & or
the shop remains. And for you to have witnessed the First Nuclear Tests is historic in itself.

I am a specialist in the ‘Life & Works’ of the playwright ‘George Bernard Shaw’ & was
Custodian of & lived at Shaw’s home Shaw’s Corner for eight years & now own the GBS
Imformation Service. I am intrigued & would be grateful for any information about the lady
who inspired Bernard Shaw for the character of his most famous Miss Eliza Doolittle.

By: Martin

Martin — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 11:39:04 +0000

I grew up in Bow and I remember when I was about 7-8 walking down to the Roman and if I was very lucky being allowed go in to Arbers to look at the latest Matchbox toy cars. Mum & Dad could only afford to buy me a car at Christmas, but I treasured that car so much that I still have a few of them 50 years later!

Although I live far away from Bow now, I’m very sad that Arbers is closing, but I wish Gary the best of luck (& thanks for my Matchbox cars).
Regards,
Martin (also still a kid at heart!)

By: MF Peermamode '' Patch''

MF Peermamode '' Patch'' — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 13:00:31 +0000

I often think back to the ”Good old Days” when we were all little kids, all 8 of us leaving in Ellesmere Rd, a very sort walk from when Gary as his shop. But then it wasn’t a printing materials he and his wife sold, it was TOYS.

I visited my childhood haven recently, and saw the shop again, with all the paper boxes in the big from window, and inside the actual shop where there no rome to move….just like when we were all kids, but then it was beause of the TOYS all laying around.

Gary’s hadn’t changed, still has his marbles, we talked for about an hour in the shop door way, as I looked around I could still see all the latast bikes hanging from the ceiling tired with string..the string were still actually up there in the ceiling. We talked about the Christmas club he and his wife ran…Saturdays me my mates and sisters all kids then would just stand in front of the shop big fronted window looking all the TOYS… I could go on and on.

Gary to you and your Late Wife.. a BIG thank you for being part of all the the kids in Bow life’s.

Regards
Patch…still the little boy

By: Jason Hillier

Jason Hillier — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 17:45:55 +0000

Yesterday I was fortunate to have Gary re live his story of travelling to India as a young boy. He tells his tales with such vigor and humor and I always leave his little shop of “Mayhem” with a broad smile on my face.

Increasing Business rates, Parking Charges and Super Markets haven’t killed off this man. God bless him!!! A lesson to us all!!!!

By: Alice harry

Alice harry — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:09:26 +0000

I love this shop and this man. So sweet xx

By: Gerry Wiseman

Gerry Wiseman — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:56:27 +0000

I love reading your blog everyday. Keep up the good work.

By: cathy olmedillas

cathy olmedillas — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 08:45:15 +0000

I live round the corner and go to Arber’s every month for our stationery needs. It’s always a pleasure going there. Thank you!

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:13:53 +0000

This is beautiful writing , so English and timeless.