Mary (Molly) Gibson's Story - Part 4 - The Youngest Gibson

PART 4 - LEMINGTON


"Molly Forster and Christine moved to Lemington in 1954.

Lemington circa 1950
Co-op can be seen in the distance

Christine was 9 years old at the time.  Forster was Branch Manager of the Co-op which meant he saw to wages etc for the Drapery, Butchers, Greengrocers, Chemist and of course the large grocery store where he had his office.  There was also a reading room above the shops where people would read the newspaper or take their books.

Inside Lemington Co-op circa 1953

The house was large, squashed between the Greengrocers and the Pub.  No garden, just a backyard.  However there was an alley leading to a huge store yard with stables and cart horses, with plenty of storage units.  Cattle, pigs and sheep used to come in live and the butcher would slaughter them himself.

The Store House Lemington where Molly & Forster lived for 44 years

Molly & Foster The Store House Lemington

Molly's sister Ann lived just around the corner in Montague Street with her husband Rob and daughter Sonia and Grandma Hull. Molly and Christine spent Sundays with Ann and her family while Forster was at Sugley, it was good being close.

Molly's brothers Eddie and Joe lived in Denton Burn, and were frequent visitors with their family and Molly and Forster often visited them.

Molly's brothers Tom and Alf came for holidays and Molly, Forster and Christine had, and would, continue to spend many holidays with them.

Sister Lil's son Donald and his wife Lois came over from Australia often, visiting and staying with Molly.

Their father had given Eliza her mother's watch after Polly died and said then, that it had to go to Molly in later years.  Li brought the watch with her and gave it to Molly, a very emotional moment.

Christine's daughter Kirsten now has it and she will pass it to her son Christopher, (Molly and Forster's Great Grandson).

There was some consternation when Janet Gibson (nee Smith) bought a shop just a few yards along from the Co-op selling wool, baby and children's clothing. 

More about all these visits when Christine shares her memories of her cousins and her childhood.

Once again it was Molly who visited her father only to discover that Janet had another man living with her and her husband!

Christine started going to church, she was baptised at Blaydon, Church of England, and Molly started going too.  They were both confirmed in 1956.  Wonderful friends were made, many of whom Christine is still in touch with today.

In 1987 Molly did visit Australia, (Forster wouldn't go).  She was supposed to stay for 3 weeks, however, she stayed 7 weeks due to a strike.  She really enjoyed herself."