Grantham loses a favourite character

GEORGE Garret, who died this morning (Saturday 4th May) is someone virtually everyone in Grantham knew and no one has a bad word for.

Born in Welby Street 78 years ago 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.

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!

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 helped shoppers and expected nothing in return although frequently got tips.

George was always on parade for Armistice Day and always took the salute at war memorial although never saw active service himself.

He was 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 60th birthday. George inspected it regularly.

Since his mum died in 2008, he was 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.