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Dwellings

Sam Jeavons Old House

119 Vale Street.Photo CDM 2013

Originally, 119 Vale Street was occupied by Benjamin Westwood and his family.
From the 1920s Ben ran a fruit and vegetable business from the yard, and later his son Moses continued the trade.

Sam Jeavons was born at 16 Pale Street, Upper Gornal in 1898.
It was here that Sam started his fruit and vegetable business at the family home and yard.
He moved to 119 Vale Street around 1958. Sam continued with the business selling from his horse and cart.

Sam described himself as a 'Hossmun' and became a well-known local character.
He lived and worked with horses and was often seen around Gornal selling fruit and veg from his cart.
He was known for dressing his horses up for special occasions and parading them around the Gornals, a tradition particularly associated with the May Day parade.

Sam, with his second wife Lizzie, and his horse, were featured in an ITV interview broadcast in 1974. In the interview Sam recounted his life working with horses; his broad Gornal accent was very evident.

Sam died in 1986.

Partly demolished, 2020.Photo CDM
Looking down Vale Street from the house, photo c1972.

After years of dereliction, the house was partially demolished in 2020 and completely taken down around 2022

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