Comments on: Last Days At WF Arber & Co Ltd

By: Deborah Sutterby-Watts

Deborah Sutterby-Watts — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:34:47 +0000

My name is Deborah Sutterby-Watts.
Email. ladydjsutterbywatts@gmail.com.

My dad was Alfie watts…I can see his handwriting and his drawing on the wall under the stairs.

Dad told me so many stories of working there, best years of his life he said…also the sausage from butchers up the road.

Sadly we lost dad ,and I love any type work, letterpress, of his time here, so I can build a memory board for his grandson and children to come..

As we do very proud of dad and would appreciate any help please from your readers.

By: David Hatch

David Hatch — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 15:33:37 +0000

I am reading Spitalfields life by the gentle author and as an ex letterpress printer i was looking forward to going to Mr Arbers shop ,I do miss those days of make ready ,colour mixing with the sense of achievement at the end of the run (with hopefully no set off of space ups.

Happy days indeed David Hatch

By: joy derrick

joy derrick — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 08:37:00 +0000

recognised gary’s photo although i last saw him in the 1950’s i did think it must be his father ,but then realized that time had moved on for all of us but the dishy young man was still to be seen.bought all my childrens toys in the shop and it was his aunt who worked there not his mother.

By: Heather March

Heather March — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 07:06:03 +0000

It was with great sadness I noticed Arber had closed. I moved out of the area a year ago and had not seen Gary for a while.
I used to adore popping in for my stationery and chatting to Gary. His stories of the past filled me with joy. He is a true gentleman.
I hope he’s now enjoying his garden, which I know brings him so much joy. And I hope he realises just how much joy HE brought many people, just by being such a charming character.
Good luck in your retirement Gary. You were an institution xxx

By: David

David — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 17:56:03 +0000

Lovely write up and bittersweet as well – have a long and happy retirement Mr and Mrs Arber.

One thing intrigues me – I know the presses got into the basement but how will Cats Eye press get them out – I think we should be told!

By: Mark Thompson

Mark Thompson — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 14:13:37 +0000

I have known Gary for over 50 years whilst my family traded opposite in Thompsons all that time. It will be a sad day when he retires as a true character will be leaving Roman Rd. There is not another shop like Arbers, from 100 year old machinery in basement to a modern calculator that I bought today from him. Always a smile, I will not forget him and I wish my parents were still here to see him off as they got on well and were from the same mould.
Good Luck Gary I will miss you and so will all at Thompsons

By: stephen riley

stephen riley — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 14:48:11 +0000

very sad to see Mr Arber leave his premises. I visited him a few months ago after reading previous article[s] on here, I have an Adana 5 x 3 so enjoyed talking to Mr.Arber very much.
For all those out there who like the idea of letterpress the adana , abeit the 8 x 5 or the 5 x 3 is still a great way to have a go , small scale. i sold mine when my kids were growing up but bought another 2 years ago, and a lovelly type cabinet [empty] I have stocked it up with small founts of my favourite faces. Long live letterpress…………..PROPER PRINTING!!!!!!!!!! ASK MR.Arber.!!!!!!!!! god bless….

By: Beverley Charters

Beverley Charters — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 14:58:51 +0000

I am so very sorry to read the news that Arbers will be no more. It is such a wonderful treasure trove, and Gary so very helpful and courteous. It is a real treat to shop here, rather than buying on line, and I shall miss the shop, and the friendly chatter. Wishing you a very long and very happy retirement dear Gary. Enjoy your gardening and everything else you turn your hand to. Thanks for serving the people of Bow – and beyond – so well for so very many years. We shall miss you.

By: Tony Hart - and lilSylvie Hart

Tony Hart - and lilSylvie Hart — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 10:24:30 +0000

Not having Gary on the Roman Road is going to be hard to bare. I have lived here 20 years and it has always been a rich pleasure going in to Arber and Co. His stories of our area in past times have enlightened me and my 6 year old daughter. His tales of being a young scamp searching for bits of shrapnel and incendiary bombs (good bonfire starters apparently) during the war are always funny. Wandering through his shop is simply a unique experience. Considering him and his wife as friends is a joy. He bound my Thesis and dug out (from deep in that shop) green paint from the 60’s for us to repaint the shop frontage in 2010.

On half-term Friday my daughter and I took a stroll up to his shop. We ended up having to walk a block or two extra while Sylvie got over the upwelling of little tears shed after it had dawned on her that such pleasant & unique trips – which have been a constant in her life – are soon to be no more. She has always thrilled at going to see Gary. It feeds her pride in her experience of living on the street that the suffragette’s lived…she’s even strode up to Mr Arber’s with a ‘votes for women’ sash she made (copied from Mary Poppins!). Thanks Gary for your kindness and all the rich knowledge you continue to pass on to Sylvie, and to me.

Gary has always been a part of our community. Any time you fancy, you just go ring that bell, pause, knowing that he’ll be along in a mo. The shop might be going some time in May 2014, but as always Gary, our door is open to you for a cuppa, a tale and a good time. Just ring, or knock loud on the glass if you don’t at first get an answer.

By: Ian Mckenzie

Ian Mckenzie — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 21:52:27 +0000

I will miss you & your shop Mr Arber, you are a true gent, Best of health & happiness Enjoy your retirement, I wont ever forget you & your wonderful printing shop. .