Bury St Edmunds historian Martyn Taylor tells the story of ancient Mustow Street

Angel Hill was once known as Le Mustowe – to muster, to meet – and this name continues to this day in Bury St Edmunds with Mustow Street, which starts at the junction with Northgate Street and finishes at the Broadway, Eastgate Street.

This photo from 1908 shows, on the left, Mustow House, a day and boarding school run Mr Norman Martyn, the principal at the beginning of the 20th century.

After World War Two, it was the headquarters of the Red Cross in Bury for a while. It has an incredible 26 windows facing the street!

Adjacent is Hawkes garage, advertising itself today from 1928, thus probably the oldest continuing garage in the town.

Further on, for what is now the entrance to Cotton Lane (aka Scurf Lane in medieval times) a large house was demolished to allow better access.

This demolition would continue with ancient houses opposite the Abbey North Precinct wall, including the Star Inn.

Having a large ten-pin bowling ground at its rear, it closed in 1923 to be replaced by houses built by the Bury Corporation, set back to allow a wider road, in 1926.

Timbers from the Star went into the building of a ‘new ancient house’ adjacent to the Fox Inn.

Opposite Cotton Lane is a much used entrance to the Abbey Gardens and beside it is the premises of F Clutterham & Son Funeral Directors – they started out as motor body builder but are now owned by Dignity Funerals.

Further along, numbers 22-28 Mustow Street are 18th century Grade II-listed cottages that were restored by the Bury St Edmunds Town Trust in 1981.

The builders were Nayland Building Services and during the renovation horse bones were found under floorboards, a possible link harking back to the days of the Abbey when stables were at the rear of these cottages. There is a date stone of 1777 on number 28.

Finally, next door at 29, is the Voujon Indian Restaurant – but who can remember it as The Mustow Street Café? Run by Bill Squirrel, his egg and chips were to die for. After its closure it was Turners Wine Bar for a while.

Martyn Taylor is a local historian, author and Bury Tour Guide. His latest book, Going Underground: Bury St Edmunds, is widely available.