The top floor of the Jobsons store in Alnwick Northumberland is called Adeline's Attic and we often get asked where we got the name from.
Adeline is Jobsons owner Rachel's Grandma and is the true matriarch of her family. Born in 1924, she turned 100 in August of 2024. She is such a special lady, Rachel thought it would be the ultimate tribute to her if she named part of the store after Adeline.
Married and utterly devoted to her husband Robert (who she married on Christmas Eve in 1949), they had 4 children, 7 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Born and raised in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear (just over the river from Newcastle), Adeline is just the best.
She's always happy, smiling and stronger than anyone we know. During the second world war in 1940 at aged just 16, Adeline travelled alone to Coventry to work in a munitions factory. Later in life she worked full time as a cleaner whilst Robert worked in a local power station. They didn't have a lot, but they brought their family up to respect others and work hard to achieve their best.
Adeline's family is her life. All of her grandchildren fondly remember arriving at her house on Saturday to see her, their Granda and catch up with each other. Robert would make everyone a fry up for lunch, but you had to be quick as he always wanted to clear the dishes quickly so they could all watch the Enlgish wrestling on the TV together (anyone remember Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks)?!
For tea they would have a Gran's tea - basically a load of beige food which is now frowned upon - sausage rolls, Pek chopped pork for sandwiches and if she was feeling really flush, Adeline would open a tin of red salmon. Don't ask Rachel about the onion ring crisps though (she carried on eating them even though they made her break out in hives)! The grandchildren would often sleep over at her house - jumping between the single beds was a great pastime (until someone broke one of the bed frames), and her beds were always warm and cosy with cotton flannellette sheets, with tight fitting blankets and bedspreads.
At Jobsons we like to think that our values mirror Adeline's:
- Always treat people like you would wish to be treated
- Say what you mean and behave well
- Work hard and do your best
- Don't take yourself too seriously
- Remember to have fun and be happy
Ladies like Adeline are a rare breed in this modern world. We can't imagine the changes and challenges that she has experienced over the years and how she was ablet to cope with the many hardships she encountered. We're proud to be able to offer such a fitting tribute to a wonderful lady in the store.
Much love
Rachel and the Jobsons team
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