I can recall the names of the businesses and the people who ran them along the A38 from Martin Hussingtree through Fernhill Heath. The years between 1936 and 1946.
The Elms Filling Station and Tea-rooms. Martin Hussingtree ran by a family named Miles. The petrol sold was R.O.P.
The Swan Inn Martin Hussingtree. Licensees Mrs Tranter and daughter Nell.
Rich's Nurseries, Sandyway. Ran by a family of the same name. Mrs Rich was killed by a falling tree.
Fernhill Heath Post Office. Miss Barnett ran this. It was also the telephone exchange.
Mrs Norcutt's Sweet Shop. Fernhill Heath.
Bob Carr's motor repair Workshop.
Half Way House. Mr Curnock, Licensee. He was also a Conjurer.
Fernhill Heath Drug Store. Miss Hunt.
Fernhill Heath Butcher. Jack Mytton
Tea-rooms, Fernhill Heath. Mrs. Stezaker. It was also a shop and the tea rooms cateres for cyclists.
Harris's Newsagents.
Jackson's Bakery and General Store.
Bayliss's Bakery. This place used gas fired ovens. The shop later became a branch of the Midland Bank for a short time.
Prestons's Garage. This Garage had a prominent clock outside.
Live and Let Live. Licensee Mrs Pardoe.
The Bull Inn. Licensee Fred Pardoe.
Mrs Byers Sweet Shop and fancy goods. This shop was pulled down in 1940 to facilitate the opening up of Hurst Lane into a proper road down to the Royal Ordinance Factory (Later Cadbury's and the later still Hygiena)
The White Hart. This was a Joule's Brewery pub, and was known as a Hotel.
At the top of Station Road there was an Ostlery or horse hirer.
Fernhill Heath Garage, had many owners in its day.
The railway station in Fernhill Heath had a coal siding and the was also a corn and seed merchants office. Fred Porter was the Agent.
The Police Station was originally next to The Sling opposite to Hindlip School. It was later moved to a new house about half a mile towards Worcester. It is now a private house.
How did a small Village sustain all of those enterprises?