Evergreen

2017 EVERGREEN 99
CHRISTYS’ HATTERS
MADAM: I have bought Evergreen since
1988 and there are so many wonderfully
interesting articles in each issue. I love to
read of the history of buildings, villages,
and churches and I’d like to know
more about an old English business —
Christys’, the hatters of Bond Street.
They were my father’s family, but I
know very little about the firm, or if
it is still in business. I think they were
established in the 18th century and made
hats for the military, the police and the
general public. — HELEN CHRISTY-RIX,
LOWER BELFORD, NSW, AUSTRALIA.
*Christy & Co. are definitely still in
business, making hats at their factory in
Oxfordshire. The company, established
by Miller Christy in 1773, has a shop in
Princes Arcade, London, and supplies
shops around the world. Prince Albert
started wearing Christys’ top hats and
that royal connection, together with
making hats for the military and police,
continues today. Famous wearers of
Christys’ Homburg hats were Edward
VII, Sir Winston Churchill and Anthony
Eden. — Ed.
SIXTIES MEMORIES
MADAM: Reading “Juke Box” and “Hit
Parade” reminds me of those heady days
when Christchurch rocked. It wasn’t
the rocking of the ground, as in recent
years, but hundreds of excited footsteps
making their way to the airport, hotels
or theatres to catch a glimpse of the
latest pop group in town.
My first job after leaving school was as
a child minder/housekeeper for a family
who owned one of the few night clubs in
the city. These people were friends with
A military band and a policeman at
Windsor Castle. But which British
company makes their distinctive
headwear? See letter this page. JON JAYES
a well-known promoter who brought
most of the international acts to the
city. He would reserve a couple of rows
of seats, near the front, for the resident
band, staff, friends and family so we were
very near the action which we loved.
Some of the shows I recall are: The
Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Sandie