W. J. Cooper
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1932 was a turning point in William Cooper's life as he married a local farmer's daughter May Maycock who was living at Filgrave with her brother, she was the youngest of thirteen children. They built a house in Lakes Lane, Newport Pagnell which was aptly named 'Edgcott' after William Cooper's place of birth, and later had two sons Peter and James.

As the work increased so did the need for more space and in 1939 he leased the old Canal Wharf in Great Linford just outside Newport Pagnell, this was used mainly for unpacking and assembling machines from America on a lease/lend scheme.

It was during the second world war that the railings and Bury Gate, which crossed the now Queens Avenue road, were removed. Bury Field was ploughed up during the war, so this would have provided an easier access.

It was in August 1943 that William James Cooper purchased the Phoenix Works he had developed his business in over the last 19 years. It was purchased for £4,000. Previous to this he had been paying £90 per quarter to Charles Wells for the lease.
The chimney's are now no longer there and a bus shelter stands where once, goods were displayed for the weekly cattle market. The garages were offered for rent. You can just see to the left of the picture the absence of the Bury railings.

Cooper's were still selling the Fordson Tractors, as a local farmer Eddie Bayliss tells us, in part of a fascinating interview he allowed us to record:-
Picture taken in the late 40's.