Stocks Hill, shop and post office, High Street, Bottisham

History of the post office

Stocks Hill was on the High Street, opposite Holy Trinity Church, around the property now called Stocks, 76 – 78 High Street. The March 2014 parish magazine identifies Stocks Hill as the site of the village stocks and annual feats and fair.

10 June 1910

“Pretty Poll”, the pet of the village post office, the autocrat of the counter and the terror of several generations of Bottisham children, passed away suddenly at the ripe age of 60 odd years. Few resident have secured by sheer force of personality such an abiding reputation for imperiousness combined with a haughty good temper. For the past 30 years the famous cockatoo had held undisputed sway, subject to occasional supervision by the Misses King. Anyone who entered was immediately made aware that it is not the essence of politeness to put one elbow on the counter and lounge as though in a public bar 10 06 10d — Mike Petty, Bottisham Scrapbook 1897 to 1990.

21 November 1913

Misses King have retired from the business carried on by their family on Stocks Hill Bottisham for more than 40 years and the post office which has been there since 1881 has moved next door to the Anchor. It was noted for the picturesque telegraph pole at the back of the house which was literally covered with ivy up to the wires and had to be cut away before another wire could be attached 13 11 21 p12 CIP — Mike Petty, Bottisham Scrapbook 1897 to 1990.