Liphook Community Magazine Spring 2017

Don Cook's Retirement.
D O N C O O K
Cobbler Extraordinaire
Don Cook has spent nearly all his life perfecting the art of shoe
repairing and the sewing and handling of leather. Leaving school
at fourteen he joined Tyndales, a cobbler’s business and began to
learn his trade. In 1947 he was called up to do his national service
in the army and was sent to Scotland to become useful, mending
army boots, shoes and tack. Two years later, back in civvy life he
worked for Harrington’s the shoe repairer in Bordon but the
business was struck by a dread intruder. ‘Tuf’ shoes came into
the market place and they had a guarantee of a year against needing
repair, meaning people did not need their shoes repairing so
often. Don had to leave the business and this was when he came
to Liphook, being offered the chance to rent the stout brick building
which came to be known as ‘Tweenways’ which was surrounded
by busy shops, three of which sold shoes. The year was 1960.
Soon plenty of work came in, especially when stiletto heels
arrived on the scene. Don’s place in Liphook society was assured.
Every lunch time he went for a walk and got to know the other
shopkeepers, which included Coyte’s, Pinks and Silks and all the
customers. Then the Square was truly the heart of the village.
Don’s favourite hobby was to play golf and he was a member of
the Bohunt Manor Golf Club for twenty years, always enjoying his
half day closing afternoons there. He and his wife live in Arford
and Don likes the outdoor life.
When the time came for him to retire a notice appeared on
Liphook Talk Back saying that people were welcome to attend a
small surprise party at the little teashop ‘26, The Square’ over the
road from Don’s premises. David Nicholls and his two daughters
Sophie and Charlotte laid out a spread for the thirty or so people
who came to wish Don well in his retirement. Don and his wife
Mabel enjoyed the occasion, especially the decorated ‘cobblers’-
cake the girls had baked. Liphook Day Centre Chairman Paul
Robinson summed up everyone’s thoughts when he said that
Don had finally decided ‘to hang up his hammer’ after fifty seven
years of faithful service and everyone wished Don and Mabel
much happiness in their future lives. As a parting gesture Sophie
Nicholls presented Don with a book full of messages from his
friends.
The cobbler automaton always present in Don’s window has now
been retired to a new home but the photo taken by Ian Baker
shows how magnificent he was. (See back cover).
June Wright
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