Ann retires from Folkingham Shop after 27 years
A village shopkeeper has retired after almost three decades serving the community.
Ann Bentham has worked at Folkingham Shop in the Market Place, Folkingham, since 1992. During her three decades, the 78-year-old has worked under six different owners and spent her shifts behind the counter, cleaning and restocking the shelves and providing an all important listening ear to both her colleagues and customers.
After she retired last month, customers started a collection for the much-loved shopkeeper and raised an impressive £250.
Ann, who has lived in Folkingham all her life, was invited to a special cheque presentation at the shop on Friday and also received a box of chocolates and a bunch of flowers.
Julie Watson-Grant bought the shop premises in 2003 and worked with Ann for five years.
The shop is now run by Julie’s daughter Naomi and her partner, Gemma, who wanted to keep Ann on when they took it over last year.
Julie said: “Ann has always been such a good worker. The shop always had to be right.
“She has been the one constant in the shop throughout all the changes. She is also one of the best workers that I have ever had.”
At the presentation on Friday morning, Julie thanked Ann for all her years of service.
She said: “You are so loved. You are the shop and it’s not the same without you.
“You will always have a seat and a cup of tea here.”
An emotional Ann added: “I wanted to keep going until I was 80 but needed to retire due to my husband’s ill health.
“I loved working at the shop and always really enjoyed the company. I knew the customers so well. I had seen many of them grow up.
“I only ever worked mornings, though, as I didn’t want to miss watching all the soaps in the evening.
“I never expect any of this. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who donated.”
Ann married Roy, now 80, in the village church in 1960. The couple went on to have two sons and a daughter.
Before working in the shop, Ann also worked at Perts Grocers in Grantham’s Market Place, while Roy worked as a lorry driver and a transport manager before he retired. The couple are now proud grandparents to three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The couple have always looked after each other.
Ann added: “I got a new hip in 2014. When I returned to work, Roy would come with me every morning at 6.30am to lift the papers for me.
“He carried on helping me each morning and even more so when I got a new knee last November.”