The obituary notice of Muriel (Ridds Florist) JONES (Née Ford)

I remember Mrs Jones so well and have the greatest admiration and respect for her. She was always so welcoming when I visited the shop at the bottom of Boutport Street with those two little narrow doors.

It was as if I was the only customer and I knew the flowers she sold were of the finest quality.

She supplied the flowers for my wedding in 1977 - pink and white carnations for the pedestals and window arrangements, pink and white roses for my bouquet, white roses for the bridesmaid, lillies of the valley for the two vases on the Communion Table and a bouquet to present to my Mum at the wedding reception.

Nothing was too much trouble and she certainly knew how to run a business.

I send my sincere sympathy and condolences to her family and friends.

My first job after leaving school in 1976 was in Ridds Florist, in Boutport Street, Barnstaple. I joined a very happy team and alongside serving customers in the shop and answering a busy telephone, was allowed to create the buttonhole flowers for local weddings and occasional bouquets of flowers to be delivered locally. I was made to feel so welcome by Mr and Mrs Jones and will always remember their kindness and generosity to me, especially on my birthday, when they bought me a beautiful gift. I remember marvelling at her skill when assembling the beautiful 'shower bouquets' for weddings, which included the delicate white flowers of stephanotis and lily of the valley. They bruised so easily and tremendous skill was required to ensure they arrived in perfect condition for the brides big day. The girls in the shop were lovely, I remember Sonia, always singing and the loyal, local customers who came into the shop each day. In particular, I remember the late Percy Brend calling on the telephone requesting a basket of fruit to be delivered to him. It was a very happy start to my working life and although as a young teenager I wanted to move on to other things I always looked back on my time there with great fondness. Mrs Jones was such a lovely, friendly lady and it is with great sadness to read of her passing. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to her loved ones.