LYN Perry of Bournemouth contacted the Echo after seeing the photograph of Charminster Road, Bournemouth, taken by Kitchenham Ltd in 1970 and printed on November 21.

The picture included the Happy Stork boutique, Perry's D.I.Y. and the Esso self-service station run by Knott Brothers Ltd. .

Lyn's parents Jim and Betty Perry bought a four-bedroomed detached house on Charminster Road in 1964 and converted into Perry's D.I.Y. store with the help of Betty's younger brother. Lyn and her brother Alan also helped out at the shop. A few years later the house next to Perry's D.I.Y. was demolished by Esso who developed the site into Charminster Service Station, later Knott Brother Self-Service Station.

Jim, a keen squash and golf player, converted the D.I.Y. shop into Perry's Apex Sports Racket Centre in 1975. Sadly in 1983, the day after their wedding anniversary, he died suddenly aged 58. To reduce the work load, Betty then divided the shop into two. She kept the sports shop going and let the other half to Charminster Services, a washing machine and fridge company. It was then let to Fit-U Fashions who sold clothes for ladies and children, plus schoolwear, and finally to the Fire Equipment shop.

In 1991 Betty retired and sold the sports shop half to Nigel Butler of Town and Country telecommunications. Not long after that he bought out the Fire Equipment shop next door, giving him the whole area to develop and modernise. In January this year, Town and Country celebrated their 25th anniversary at Charminster Road.