25 years as manager of Bideford Woolworths

Mr Wilfred Ricketts, manager of the Bideford branch of F W Woolworth Ltd, since the branch opened in 1937, retired on Friday and is now looking forward to devoting much of his time to his favourite hobby of gardening.

He and his wife are continuing to live in Bideford; their home is ‘Wycherley’, Rectory Park.

At the branch’s annual party at the Royal Hotel, a surprise presentation greeted Mr Ricketts. He was the recipient of a set of stainless steel garden tools on behalf of the branch, the presentation being made by the staff supervisor, Mrs Hettie Cook.

Mr and Mrs Ricketts have a daughter who is married and lives in Rochester, Kent.

Succeeding Mr Ricketts as manager of the branch is Mr A V Gretton, who has come to Bideford from Woodford, Essex.

The full Gazette article is dated 5 April 1963