Re: Confessions of a Retired Shopkeeper.

This is not really a confession, more a celebration.


Smile,even though your heart is breaking.

Have you a friend who makes you smile whenever you think of them. . At our age it’s a sobering thought that many folks known to us have passed on now. Not a smile because they are or were funny. That may be true, but I was thinking more of a smile from warm or happy memories of being with that person…

Some people give out oodles of human kindness and they are to be cherished as much as they encourage us.

I worked with Charles S. for many years. He was advertising manager for the branch of “Grace Brothers” (Debenhams actually) where I worked during 1967 to 1976... Although under constant pressure from everyone from the store director chasing him for the latest advert copy to the sales juniors waiting to collect their point of sale for a new product, he never flustered or showed any unpleasantness.

He had a withered leg and walked very distinctively with a sort of rise and fall gait, He wouldn’t wear the special boots made for him…

During November of 1940 he had been taken on as a sign writer and unfortunately turned up for work to be greeted by a flattened bombed site where a very grand department store had stood the previous day. The Germans bombed Southampton extensively because of its marine & aviation importance.

H Neville Garland (Of Garlands of Norwich) store director was stood in the road arms crossed surveying the scene. A very tall imposing man with a high forehead and white hair. He gradually became aware of my slight friend next to him
“Hmm you look familiar” he said, stroking his chin. ,
Charles quietly said “I suppose you won’t want me now”
“Good heavens, you’re the new sign writer, start immediately, I want signs, lots of signs, bomb damage , smoke damage, quick man, Have to look on the bright side” he checked his watch, then strode off, picking his way through the debris.

Charles did write those smoke damage signs and stayed in the same store for 50 years more, enjoying a long retirement & still smiling when I called to visit him and his dear wife every Christmas.

Re: Confessions of a Retired Shopkeeper.

Some people you just never forget Robert, great tale.
We had a few German industrialists set up companies over here in the 1950's, no doubt taking advantage of the tax breaks here after the war, one company director. a Frantz Wankbreek employed over 100 people in my area at the time and was always a hands on man, he had another factory in Galway and spent his time organizing things between the two. Another German rival of his Herr Strolbeck was furious with Frantz for dropping his prices and was in a foul mood when he rang the Dublin office. As it happened Frantz was back in Germany attending a relatives funeral and the phone was answered by the shop steward who was in the office waiting to have it out with the manager. Strolbeck shouted down the line "Hello, have you got a Wankbreek over there?" The shop steward chuckled and replied, "You must be joking, we're lucky to have a tea break".

Re: Confessions of a Retired Shopkeeper.

Excellent Jem, that made me laugh out loud.

Nurse Gillian just put her ahead round the door to make sure I was alright.