George Richardson Garrett (b1946)
GEORGE Garret is someone virtually everyone in Grantham knows and no one has a bad word for.
Born in Welby Street when it was full of terraced houses, and later moving to George Street, George caught whooping cough at an early age, and the damage it did was to affect the rest of his life.
He went to Huntingtower Road School for a spell – even then he was tallest in the class – but he didn’t really fit into the standard education system.
His mum, Doris, was advised to send him to an institution but after inspecting what the early 1950s had to offer, decided to keep him at home and bring him up herself.
It was the only time he went in a car and has never been in any vehicle since.
But whatever he did learn in his formative years, his vocabulary didn’t include wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, or gluttony – the seven deadly sins. Instead he grew up to be one of the most popular people in his home town.
He set out to help everyone.
In his early days he enjoyed nothing more than visiting the cattle market, helping farmers to drive their beast into the trucks or cleaning them out. He was frequently rewarded with a couple of pounds or a coffee.
Another haunt was the old bus station, where he helped passengers with their luggage, never forgetting to doff his cap to the ladies and sometimes giving them a kiss.
There is one anecdote that in the 1960s, a new Woolworth manager told George he wasn’t allowed in unless he was shopping. The staff downed tools and until the manager changed his mind, which he did very quickly!
For children, he was always on the lookout for mischief and often scolded them if they went too far. He would threaten to put their names in the book for court.
When Morrisons opened, he adopted it. He became unofficial lift attendant and collected the trolleys from the car park.
The store offered to pay George for his services, but this was too much for him. He didn’t want the responsibility and stayed indoors for nearly two months.
But he still helps shoppers and expects nothing in return although frequently gets tips.
George is always on parade for Armistice Day and always takes the salute at war memorial although has never seen active service himself.
He is an avid collector of pens and badges and his jacket is always crammed with them.
George’s important part in the life of Grantham was marked in April 1996, when Coun Jeff Thompson organised a tree planting in his honour to mark his 50th birthday. George still inspects it regularly.
Since his mum died in 2008, he has been looked after by his family and professional carers.
In 2009 he had a scare when a car ploughed into his Welham Street home destroying his bedroom as well as the garden planted by his late mother.
He still regularly visits the cemetery to put flowers on her grave.
Compiled with the assistance of Terry Garrett
George has always been a really good bloke as long as I can remember! he often was at London Rd for the football’ in my day!! I used to be proud to be acknowledged by him, if you said hello!! special Guy!! & I remember when he was set on by some of the Grantham “Scummos” & I know who they are!! hope they now have grown up & realise what & how that was for a guy that was inoffensive & never ever ever was how they saw him!! George used to have his say!!! even if it was against the wooden post up stand! at Grantham’s seating area in the day!! he he used to keep his thoughts & just say how bad Grantham was on the day!! too the wooden post!!! & if you heard him he would apolagise!! but George was always on duty for any Grantham occasion!! I really am surprised that Grantham has not treated him better!! I know they have always acknowledged him!! his Brothers should try harder too push/help him as they have been hard nose contracting type’s & should be more in Georges fame! they don’t mind saying who they are at work!! sure they are ok as a Family!! & they know he is a special brother! as George is a special Grantham man!!!
George has always been a really good bloke as long as I can remember! he often was at London Rd for the football’ in my day!! I used to be proud to be acknowledged by him, if you said hello!! special Guy!! & I remember when he was set on by some of the Grantham “Scummos” & I know who they are!! hope they now have grown up & realise what & how that was for a guy that was inoffensive & never ever ever was how they saw him!! George used to have his say!!! even if it was against the wooden post up stand! at Grantham’s seating area in the day!! he he used to keep his thoughts & just say how bad Grantham was on the day!! too the wooden post!!! & if you heard him he would apolagise!! but George was always on duty for any Grantham occasion!! I really am surprised that Grantham has not treated him better!! I know they have always acknowledged him!! he has brothers’ that are hard nose contracting type’s they don’t mind saying who they are at work!! sure they are ok as a Family!! & they know he is a special brother! as George is a special Grantham man!!! Carry on George you are the man!!
Such a top bloke, the article really isn’t exaggerating when they say no one has a bad word to say about him and God help anyone that does. George is by far the most respected and well known person to have ever graced grantham. So if you happen to see this gentle giant in the street; take 2 minutes out of your time to ask him how his day is going!
We love u George
The staff at costa
Xx
I always remember George from being a child. We used to have a stall on the market in the 80’s/90’s and he always used to help put the stalls up on a Saturday morning and take them down at the end of the day. He was always a great help and such a good guy.
I wonder if the Mayor’s office could create an “honoury citizen ” award to present to him or “the keys to the town ” award ?? Such is the high regard the people of Grantham hold George in. It’s to late to honour and acknowledge when people are gone.