DANCING ROUND THE MULBERRY BUSH
by Josie Smith (2024)
We travelled overland to Afghanistan in July 1971 and lived there until December 1972. We feel very privileged to have lived there at such a good time, and are devastated by what has happened to this beautiful, free and magnificent country and her people since. We exported Afghan dresses and handcrafts and brought back two large trunks full of treasures we had collected.
If you would like to know more about our Afghan adventures you could read my book, Tamboura, by Josie Smith
Josie, Smudger and Samantha—Paghman, near Kabul, Afghanistan, Spring 1972
Stella was born in July, and three weeks later we moved to Lampeter. We saw an empty shop in Bridge Street, and thought we could open a shop selling our Afghan dresses and carpets, along with local handcrafts. The shop was owned by Mr David Davies, and was where his father, Arnold Davies, had started business as a solicitor. Even though the shop had been let, the tenant did not sign the lease and we were able to rent the two ground floor rooms for £10.50 per week. And so, the Mulberry Bush opened in January 1974! By March we were also selling wholefoods in the smaller of the two rooms.
NB: Both B.J. Jones and J.H Roberts began trading in this building also.
Sam, Smudger, Stella and Josie—Aberystwyth, Autumn 1973
Edna and Arthur Thom, my Mum and Dad, moved to Lampeter in 1974 to be near their grandchildren. In early 1975 we stopped trying to sell local handcrafts and what remained of our Afghan collection, and focused on the ever-expanding Whole Food Store. Mum joined us in the shop and Dad opened a greengrocers in the larger room, which he really enjoyed, however his health declined due to his time at Dunkirk, and we closed the greengrocers by the end of 1975 and moved the Whole Food Store into the larger room. Sadly, Dad died in October 1976, three weeks before the birth of his grandson, Kelly Arthur Everett Smith. We were deeply moved by the love and support we received from the people of Lampeter, even though we had only lived here for three years. We knew we had found our true home.
Arthur Thom—Mulberry Bush Greengrocers 1975
On the top shelf are jars of dried herbs, which we weighed up to order behind the counter. You can also see our original wooden cash till, with a simple adding up machine above it. In the early days we added everything up in our heads!
Sacks of wholemeal flour from local Felin Geri mill are on the floor. We have always aimed to supply good quality whole foods at the best possible prices, so we buy in bulk and pack down. Edna did most of the packing in the small room, and she looked after the shop while we travelled overland to Greece for a few weeks in 1979.
Smudger— Mulberry Bush Wholefoods 1977
The sun streams in from the back yard as I sit writing yet another list of food to order. We always had a chair beside the counter, so people could sit and chat for a while. Beside the electronic till(!) are jars of coltsfoot rock and aniseed balls, which Smudger often gave to the children, many of whom now bring in their own children.
Change has always been a constant factor in our dance around the Mulberry Bush. We opened Lampeter Pet Supplies in the smaller shop around 1981. When D.A.G Jones moved out of the first floor we took over that space for packing, storage and office.
The first Natural Health Clinic in Lampeter opened, with Shion and Nikki offering shiatsu and acupuncture. Smudger trained as a masseur and chiropodist and I trained as a nutritional counsellor, as well as gaining a diploma in Health Food retailing.
Josie— Mulberry Bush Wholefoods 1986
Oh, we do have fun in the Mulberry Bush! So many years of laughter, love and fascinating conversations.
The shop has a new look! Gone are the original wooden shelves that Mark Pickthall built, we have a new counter and it is now in the front of the shop. This was a big change around and created a lot more space for our ever-expanding stock.
Red Nose Day 1988
Cambrian News Printers rented the barn behind the shop building for many years, ably run by Mr Artie Jones. The printing press was on the ground floor, and all the trays of metal letters and numbers were upstairs. I used to love visiting Artie there, and seeing him prepare the printing trays. When the Cambrian News moved, we took over the barn, and moved Lampeter Pet Supplies into the ground floor in 1991.
We sub-let the first floor, firstly to Rob, who ran a photographic studio, and then to Jacky Pique and Steve Dundas, who opened Y Galeri in 1990, offering exhibitions of local artists work, framing and cards. Jacky, a gifted wild-life artist and publisher, has been selling her cards in the Mulberry Bush since 1984.
The Yard and Barn 1990
Photo on loan from Jacky Pique collection.
On June 24th 1993 we bought the building we had been renting from Mr David Davies for over 19 years. This was a great step forward in the evolution of the Mulberry Bush, and meant that our dream of creating one shop was a little closer. But first we had to pay off the mortgage!
We were now using both the large and small shops in the front of the building for the Wholefood Stores. There was a slate-floored passageway between the two rooms, which lead through to the yard and barn. When the multiple deliveries arrived the entire passageway and stairs were full of boxes and sacks of food.
Smudger - Pet Supplies 1993
The first Mulberry Bush celebration!
Liz joined Lampeter Pet Supplies around 1985 and stayed until we closed for the refurb in 2006. She brought fresh flowers from her garden for the pet shop counter every week and knew so much about animals. Edna weighed up tons of wholefoods, supported us in countless wonderful ways, and was a much-loved part of Lampeter life, walking her dog, Sheba through town daily, and chatting to everyone.
21st Anniversary Celebration 1995
Left to right: mystery child, (prize for naming her), Heather Summers playing violin, Smudger, Josie, Liz and Edna.
Photo on loan from Jacky Pique collection.
Steve is a very talented artist and writer who still lives locally. He managed the shop while we took some time out to volunteer in an ashram in Hampshire from 1989 to early 1993. We were in need of a change, and considered selling the business and moving, however our fab customers really did not want us to go. Steve was the only person who could have taken care of the Mulberry Bush so brilliantly over that period, ably assisted by Liz, Lisa, Paulinda, Dawn, Danny and Maya. I continued to manage all the accounts and covered Steve’s holidays.
Steve Dundas—doorway to the barn and Y Galeri 1990
Photo on loan from Jacky Pique collection.
The large picture by the window is by local artist Geoffrey Wynn. Geoff painted both of The Mulberry Bush shop signs, the first is shown on the 21st Anniversary picture, the sign for Y Galeri in this picture is also Geoff’s work.
Y Galeri exhibited work by many local artists and the Mulberry Bush continues to support musicians, writers and artists through events and exhibitions. We have a wealth of talent living in the hills and vales of Lampeter and art nourishes and uplifts our souls.
Y Galeri 1994
Photo on loan from Jacky Pique collection.
We had a big party in the Black Lion for our thirtieth anniversary, and invited our customers and everyone who had ever worked at the Mulberry Bush. It was a fabulous day with food and music, sunshine and many joyful re-unions.
Barbara was with us from 1997 until April 2024. She has helped countless customers with her excellent advice and compassionate support.
Stella and Andy joined Team Mulberry in 1998, and are now running the business with their unique sets of skills and talents. Although both Theo and Alisha were children in this picture, they were vital team members during lock-down, and are the fourth generation of our family to work in the Mulberry Bush
30th Anniversary Celebration 2004
Back row: Oksana, Andy, Smudger, Josie, Marliese, Val, Plum, Dan, Nico.
Front row: Theo, Stella & baby Alisha, Anna, Mike, Heidi, Dawn, Barbara, Jacky, Steve, Maggie.
Photo: by Mark Pickthall
And the chaos begins! Here you can see Chris Hess (Hess Kincaid Leach Architects) who designed the new shop; Grenville Evans (G D Evans Builders), whose team did all the work, and Smudger.
We managed to stay open throughout the demolishing of the walls and the re-structuring of the building, thanks to the loyalty and forbearance of our customers and staff, and the support of our neighbour Mr Williams. On the right window are signs directing customers to enter the shop through the back, via Drover’s road and Williams & Bourne’s back garden.
Refurbishment 2006
I am not even sure where this is and I think the picture says it all.
Smudger amidst the chaos 2006
Mel is in the fore-ground, Stella is stacking shelves and Dhruva and Smudger take a much-needed break. We moved the entire shop from the front to the newly constructed back so the front of the building could be worked on.
Drinking tea while Stella works (moving shops 2007)
The great day arrives and MP Mark Williams, with Lampeter Mayor Chris Thomas, cut the ceremonial ribbon to inaugurate the new Mulberry Bush. Artie Jones and Counsellor Ivor Williams and his wife are on the left, with Grenville, Richard, Harry and Elsie Dafis on the right.
The Mulberry Bush Café opened on this day, created by Stella, and has been serving delicious vegetarian and vegan food ever since.
Mulberry Bush Re-opening 2007
Photo: by Beryl Teasdale
We have always felt that the people who work in the Mulberry Bush are part of the Mulberry Bush family, and we are a happy team. Many people have worked here over the past fifty years, and each person’s contribution has been valuable. Some are not pictured, or mentioned in this exhibition, but everyone is remembered with love and gratitude.
And we would also like to thank you, our dear customers for supporting us.
Team Mulberry 2024
Back row: Karen, Jo, Kathy, Ali.
Middle row: Debbie, Cath, Karen, Mandy, Josh.
Front row: Stella, Smudger, Josie, Andy.