More recent staff
Some of our customers will remember these staff from more recent years:
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Ron Turley at his 65th birthday celebrations, with assistance from cake-baker Joan Cokes.
Ron worked at Orchards all his working life, apart from a spell serving in the Far East during his National Service. As well as serving customers, Ron was responsible for ordering stock and was indispensable when it came to converting sides of bacon to rashers and joints. He still lives in Freshwater Bay and remains sprightly and as well informed as ever. |
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Cyril Henderson, (centre), in 1977, at the shop's celebrations on the occasion of the Queen's Silver Jubilee.
Cyril was one of the delivery drivers, travelling all over the West Wight and would also help put up orders in the "dispatch room" and serve in the shop. He was, for many years, the organist in the church of his home village of Thorley. Cyril and Charlie Croad, (see below), had many colourful stories from the time of the Isle of Wight pop festivals but few are suitable for publication! |
Charlie Croad was baker for the Orchards for many years until it closed in the 1960's. He was kept on as a delivery driver and eventually left to take on a milk round in the area. In the bake-house Charlie produced loaves of all sorts as well as a range of cakes and pastries. He always nailed a hot cross bun to the back of the bake-house door each year for luck. It would remain there until the following Easter when it would be renewed.