The Homers of Old Hill

Benjamin Homer lived on the corner of Ashtree road and Best street,

in Old Hill ,and ran his business from home

He was widowed at an early age and one of his daughters Cissie, also widowed, lived with him and

took care of him.

Between them they managed the business that ran for many years and in the later years Cissie was

the mainstay of the operation that included phone as well as normal “street bookmaking”

The fact that the business was never legalised didn’t prevent Benjamin from maintaining good

“relations” with the local Police –the Old Hill Police Sergeant called almost daily to place the

stations bets

The locality of two largish factories—The BSR and Holden and Hunts--provided them with

a steady flow of business and the Local Old Hill Pubs did the rest

Benjamin sporting his “Best Pig”rosette

not sure what the “Bonnet” and apron signify,

Benjamin Homer was an enthusiastic breeder of pigs and rented stys behind the Victoria Pub, off

Old Hill Cross

One unfortunate day a pig broke out of of the sty and created bedlam in and around Old Hill until it

was cornered and lassoed by Benjamin

Benjamin’s gold medal was for winning the

SIDAWAY Bowling League, in 1929

( Not sure which branch of the SIDAWAY family was the sponsor)