Weekly Photo Challenge: Endurance
It’s been a tough decade for independent retailers in the UK! The recession hit small, local businesses in villages and towns hard, forcing many closures. Even now that we are coming out of the recession and economic growth (GDP) is rising ahead of many other countries, our high-streets are still littered with empty shops and office buildings.
With that in mind it is my absolute pleasure to share with you all a story of success from my own village, West Byfleet! Apples & Pears (formerly Heather Forster) has not only endured the recession but are celebrating 50 years of trading with a 1960’s Party this coming Saturday the 27th September. With fancy dress, a bring-and-buy charity sale, 60’s DJ set and the original owner Heather Forster in attendance, it will be a great way for the community to show their support, not only for this family run gift shop, but also for all our local independent shops!
Christine and John Morrison took over the shop 10 years ago, around the time that I moved into West Byfleet. They’ve kindly allowed me to photograph many items in the shop, mainly to create abstract images for this blog. Last year during my 365 photography challenge I often turned to their eclectic shop for daily inspiration! I do, of course, buy many gifts and cards from them too, and maybe the odd little treat for myself 😉
They always have an interesting and well-crafted window display but I really have to congratulate them on their current 1960’s themed display that is a part of their celebrations! It’s so fascinating and fun that I decided to create some vintage-styled photos with my phone camera and the Google Photos editing app.
Taking One Day At A Time 
Quite the treasure house!
It is indeed 🙂
One of the earliest photos of me is with my brothers and a golliwog. (1950s) so their 1960s display is wonderful! So nice to know they have survived these horrible times and I hope you will be there on Saturday WITH your camera 🙂
Both my sister and I had Gollies 🙂 We used to collect the tokens on jam and marmalade for the badges too though I have no idea what actually happened to our collection! We did go along for a while today but having missed the start we missed the crowds so I was a bit redundant with the camera. We sat next door at the coffee shop enjoying the 60’s music the DJ was playing on vinyl outside the shop 🙂
I still have the golliwog my mum knitted for me when I was in hospital aged 4 . I’m 67 now and a bit moth eaten like my golliwog
My sister still has hers though we have a few years to catch up with you 😉 Childhood toys hold some pretty amazing memories! I’m still very fond of some of the old books that I had like The Tiger Who Came To Tea. It’s been reissued now and makes a perfect gift for all the children in my life 🙂
Evocative pictures 🙂
Thank you 🙂
What a fantastic little shop! Well done to them on 50 years of trading and thanks to you for sharing 🙂
We’re lucky to have them in the village I think 🙂 Thanks Lisa!
Great gallery of images and a very nice story. Thanks for putting this together.
Thanks Robin 🙂 It’s nice to tell a few local and nostalgic stories now and then. Creating a good window display is quite an art in itself!