OUR photograph this week shows Catherine Street from a bygone age and not that much seems to have changed over the years! An interesting character who was in business at 50 Catherine Street for 53 years as a watchmaker, clockmaker and optician was Sidney Silverthorne. Mr Silverthorne began his apprenticeship to Alfred Lightfoot in Catherine Street, and later went to work in London. On his return in 1897 he purchased the business.

Mr Silverthorne’s work was that of a specialist, covering the widest range conceivable. For 30 years he was responsible for the maintenance of Salisbury Cathedral clock and he also attended Salisbury Infirmary three days a week for 25 years for the making and fitting of spectacles.

Outside the shop Mr Silverthorne managed to find time for several other activities. But probably the source of greatest pride to him was the knowledge that he was the first owner of a motor-cycle in the city

The year was 1898. On the morning of April Fools Day he detached the horn from his new machine and walked up the street sounding it. People rushed to the doors at the unusual noise expecting to see him dashing up the street on the motor-cycle. But after disappointment they were often to see the motoring pioneer a-wheel.

Mr Silverthorne was to say, “You had to run alongside the machine and then jump on – if you were lucky! My motor-cycle made a great din, and all the horses promptly bolted, while the dogs came straight at me. Sometimes I used to motor-cycle up to Amesbury on business, but often it would have been quicker to walk. You never went more than two or three miles without having to stop for some adjustment.”

Although Sidney Silverthorne retired in 1950, the name Silverthorne still lives on at 50 Catherine Street.