The Village Shop Today
Richard Hart

After the company I worked for went into voluntary liquidation I decided that while I was looking for alternative employment it might be a good idea to get involved in some voluntary work. Part of this work was to collect people from Thurlow and take them to the Haverhill Day Centre. This was when I first met Ivy Paxman who told me it was possible that Thurlow could be losing its village shop as Mr. and Mrs Fuller wanted to retire. Having lost my job I had said I wanted to do something completely different so since I had links with Thurlow and the surrounding area through my mother being born at Sowley Green and attending school here, and my being brought up at Weathercock Farm where my grandparents lived, I decided to make enquiries about taking over the shop from the Fullers.

My wife and I went to see Mr. and Mrs. Fuller (whom we affectionately know as Doug and Joyce now) who made us very welcome and gave us a good insight of what would be involved in running a Post Office and Village Stores. Out next step was to meet with Thurlow Estates who of course own the property. They were very keen to see the village shop survive and were very generous in granting us the lease, depending of course on our being accepted by the Post Office. Doug and Joyce were very helpful and allowed me to work with them in the shop to 'learn the ropes' before I took over and it was most unfortunate that they were confronted with three youths demanding money just three days before they retired.

I was asked about what changes I would make to the shop, but I have found that what worked for the Fullers for 16 years is still working for me. Numerous people comment on the uniqueness and antiquity of the place ­ like stepping back in time ­ together with the personal service ­ sadly village shops now are a 'bit of a rare breed'.

We have met some lively, lovely and loyal people in our seven years here and sadly some who have now passed on ­ Peggy Argent, Judder and Gert, Marjorie Parsonson and Charlie Fountain, to name only a few ­ people who could tell rare tales about the village and its characters. We meet all different sorts of people from all walks of life and of course hear many tales. One has to be a good listener, but I have learnt that it is best to "hear all and say nothing". I shall always remember a certain person from the village coming in and saying, "It's sad that poor old Orris is gone then". I returned with the reply, "If that is so he's gone in the last ten minutes because he has just collected his pension". It is funny how people hear half a tale and make up the rest.