Ray's - Closed for ever

Image: © Richard Humphrey Taken: 4 Apr 2010

The end of an era. The village store finally closed its doors and locked its gates on 4th April 2010 after serving the village of Wisbech St Mary for over 60 years. The store originally opened by the late Mr Ray Popeley, and latterly run by his daughter, Carol, has been an important part of the village scene for many years and has served the village community. The shop will go down in the annals of village history. The following text is an extract of Mr Brian Payne's homily given at Ray's funeral on Friday the 19th January 2008: Every community is made up of a mixture of personalities who hopefully contribute to the general well-being of that community. In rural areas that mixture of inhabitants in a village is nearly always enhanced by the addition of a few so-called “characters”. Characters who make their mark through their personality or their business, or both. Ray Popeley was one such person. Someone respected by everyone who knew him, and held in high regard by his customers. Nothing was too much trouble for Ray. He stocked most things that other shops didn’t. Fly papers, red light-bulbs, obscure batteries, screws and nails sold by the handful, the list is endless. This was a business founded on old-fashioned traditional values. He did, however, close his shop for an hour to celebrate his 80th birthday! So, as we thank God for Rays life and work among us, let us remember the welcome we received on entering the stores, that shy smile as he bid you good-day, his generosity when he supported village projects, his words of wisdom as he looked out upon the world. This village is the poorer for Ray’s passing, we have lost a good friend and an old- style shopkeeper, and Carol and her family can be assured of our condolences. One thing is, I suppose, certain. If our dear Lord is short of anything in Heaven, it will now soon be in stock! Majority of text thanks to http://www.wisbechstmary.org.uk/

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