Being a nostalgic sort, this time of year always causes me to cast my mind back to
Christmases past with my visual memory playing back little snippets in time from my
childhood. My brother and I were very fortunate to have parents who indulged us a
little (ok… sometimes a lot!) and each year in the run-up to Christmas we were
treated to a trip to Blundell’s Toy Shop in Sittingbourne, Kent. The independent shop
was family-run and stood at the end of the High Street next to A. J. Blundell’s Home

Furnishers store. Whilst our parents did a little ‘grown-up’ shopping we were allowed
the time to pour over all the latest delights on offer, it starting with the toy shop
window…
Blundell’s was set back from the pavement, with a cover at the front to protect
visitors from the elements, and this certainly encouraged me to take the time before
entering to tantalise myself with the assortment of goodies on display. There was
often an over-sized Pelham Puppet of Doc (from Snow White) ready to greet me,
surrounded by train sets, dolls, model kits, jigsaws and boardgames. Christmas
decorations and tinsel would glint and sparkle amongst the offerings and with my
eyes hypnotised and heart beating a little faster I would push the door. A tinkling bell
would announce our arrival and act as a starting pistol for our race against time to
see as much of what was on offer as possible!

The shop was fairly narrow, but very deep and as you wound your way
through you were greeted with the many different toy categories and delights. The
very front was dedicated to crafts, cross-stitch sets, colouring books and pocket-
money items, but swiftly came to my favourite display, the Pelham Puppets. Row
upon row, the puppets stood to attention in their shining yellow, prettily illustrated
boxes, the array of characters peeping through the lids and whispering, “Choose me,
choose me!” With my birthday close to Christmas I was allowed two or three puppets
to add to my collection (depending on their price) and I’d scour each one to ensure I
was making the very best choice. No two of each character were the same, the
handmade, hand painted aspect of the puppets being of particular appeal, so I’d
compare and contrast until I felt I’d made the perfect selection. Carefully putting my
chosen ones to one side at the counter I’d then make a mad dash through the rest of
the shop…

The doll section was at the very back of the shop and as I made my way there
I’d pass my brother deliberating over which wild animals he’d like to add to his zoo.
Nodding my appreciation to the giraffe or hippo in his hands I’d glide on by, the clock
ticking, and plant myself in front of Action Man, another of my favourites. Fortuitously
he was exquisitely placed next to the fashion doll area, so whilst enjoying flicking
through the boxes of wonderful Action Man outfits I could also multi-task and strain
my eyes to the left and take in all the latest dolls! After a few minutes, with a soldier
Arctic Mission outfit in hand, I could then casually stroll past the dolls as if a little lost,
but secretly taking in every dolly detail. Every new Pippa friend, Sindy outfit, furniture
accessory, buggy and camping set would float before my eyes and I’d store those
glinting boxes of delight away in my memory, sometimes recreating outfits and
furniture at a later date for the handful of dolls I was allowed to have.

Knowing our time was almost up I’d wend my way back to the shop counter,
collecting my brother en route, where we’d join our parents for their final approval of
our choices. With my pocket money burning a hole in my pocket I’d purchase a little
selection for myself and a present for my brother and my parents would take care of
the Pelham’s, the shop assistants congratulating us on our choices. Carrying our
Blundell’s paper bags we’d head towards the door where it would tinkle a farewell on
our departure. In my mind I’d say a farewell to the puppets I was leaving behind,
perhaps until next time, but with my heart filled with excitement for those I would so
fortunately be opening soon on Christmas Day.

A.J. Blundell’s furniture store opened in 1947, opened by Jack and his wife
Eileen Blundell along with Jack’s father Alfred Blundell who had been a manager of a
nearby Co-op furniture store. The toy shop opened to one side of the shop during the
1960s. In more recent years the furniture store has been run by Robert Blundell and
his wife Lisa and changing with the times continues to this day, now known as
Modeco Interiors. The toy shop is now a precious memory to me and my brother and

I’m sure to many others who were once children growing up around Sittingbourne in
Kent in the 1960s -1990s.