I used to visit The Cottage record shop (second hand if I recall correctly) in around 1969 - 1972. They had a good selection of second hand progressive music at a time when choice was limited, due to the main shops stocking 'middle of the road' music, and the price was high! We had a mono 'square box' record player at home with lift-up lid and single built in speaker. My prized collection of progressive music got quite scratched as, unlike today's gadgets, replaying a track meant manually lifting and resetting the arm, with the danger of scratching the record! Beggars Banquet and the like got a fair hammering! By 1972 I had been at work for 2 years and felt confident that I could purchase a 'Sony Stereo System' using a 12 month hire purchase agreement, although my mum had to sign the agreement, which made her worry! After purchasing the new system I sold all my old records at The Cottage, as I couldn't possibly play them with 'imperfect sound'. Many of them had special 1st pressing covers like the (almost) 3-D cover on The Stones' 'Their Satanic Majesty's Request' - probably worth a few bob now! The plan was to then repurchase new and keep in perfect condition. I don't think I ever replaced them all, although most of them are in my mum's loft, still in good condition!

I have fond memories of the Cottage record shop and shopped there regularly in the 1970s. There was always an excellent selection of classical music LPs and box sets, some of which I still have. The owners were knowledgeable and friendly and I recall my shock on hearing that one of them had been murdered.