Preface

Summary

This memoir is of Peacocks, not birds of a feather, but a family firm of auctioneers, estate agents and surveyors. The story spans nearly a hundred years in and around the county town of Bedford, through war and peace, good times and bad times. It tells of some of the characters, principals, staff and clients, as seen through the eyes and memories of the author and others, including former employees, clients and customers. This book is intended to reflect the period from 1901 to 1988 when the business was privately owned, but as the partners and many loyal staff continued association with their new masters, some references to more recent Wilson Peacock years have been included.

Peacocks has touched the life of Bedfordians over several generations through varied activities, some of which may come as a surprise to the reader. The business also extended far beyond the boundaries of Bedfordshire, into the surrounding counties of Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire and Northamptonshire as well as into many other parts of the country. Peacocks has acted for clients throughout the world, in some cases for generations of the same families.

Contacts with Peacocks may have been associated with one or more aspects of the business, including: sale or purchase of residential, agricultural or commercial property, at auction or by private treaty; letting or leasing of property as a landlord or tenant; valuation of real estate or chattels for probate, sale or letting; land and building surveys; sale or purchase by public auction of furniture, antiques, general chattels, produce, poultry and other livestock, vehicles and other items; acting as insurance agents; storage of furniture and household goods; the Egg Packing Station; the conducting of charity auctions and other charity events; assistance with various local organisations.

Known simply as Peacocks to many people throughout its history, the firm has traded under various names during its development including: Walter M. Peacock, 1901; W. & H. Peacock, from 1902 to 1969; W. & H. Peacock Western & Co., from 1970 to 1975; Peacock, from 1976 to 1988.

By the 1980s many insurance companies, building societies and banks were competing with each other to acquire estate agency businesses, and approaches to the partnership were strongly resisted.