Valerie & Terry Marriott retired in September after more than 37 years of running shops in Somercotes.
They opened the corner shop next to the Bingo Hall in January 1972 when their first son was 20 months old, and Valerie ran the shop herself. One of her most vivid recollections of her time in the corner shop was when a car crashed through the side window of the shop while Valerie and her sister Dorothy were inside. Luckily they were unhurt, just shocked, but there was a lot of shattered glass to clear up. Does anyone remember this incident?
In 1981 Valerie and Terry opened the shop which is now known as Valeries and which originally sold footwear. Terry joined the business to run this shop. Their second son was born in 1983 and it was then that they decided two shops were too much for them now they had two children, and they closed the corner shop and turned the shoe shop into a Ladies and Childrens fashion shop. Over the years Valerie has organised many fashion shows for various charities.
Valerie says that during the 37 years they had made many good friends in the village, and would like to thank all the customers who supported Valerie over the years. She would also like to thank everyone for the flowers, cards and good wishes they have received.

Terry has been a Parish Councillor since 2006 and will continue with this role, but Terry and Valerie now want to spend more time with their grandson aged 4 and their one year old granddaughter.
Terry & Valeries daughter-in-law, Dawn, has now re-opened the shop, which has been renamed Ruby, and sells fashions and accessories.

I-m sure all members of the parish will join us in wishing Valerie and Terry a very happy retirement, and in welcoming Dawn into the shop.