Market queen Josie marks own jubilee (From Warrington Guardian)

Warrington Market queen Josie marks own jubilee

4:20pm Sunday 3rd June 2012 in News

THE diamond jubilee has a special meaning on Warrington Market.

The market’s very own queen Josie Butterworth celebrates 60 years of service to the people of Warrington.

The 77-year-old started work on the market as an 18-year-old with her parents before transferring to Butterworth’s Home Furnishings when she married Michael.

From there Josie along with Michael have served the town on the family stall for years and seen it move from the old market to its current location with the potential to see it move home again under the redevelopment plans.

But the old family values still remain.

Josie said: “My mother-in-law was very strict with Michael. The first thing she said when I came on to the market was ‘there’s a name above your head and you have to represent it’.

“When I began working in the market my wage was £3 a week and you had to work very hard.

“It’s very hard working with your husband, but we have had a wonderful life.

“A lot of people come to see Michael and ask about him and we still have loyal customers who come in after all these years.”

And the stall’s reach spreads far and wide across the town.

“Every church in Warrington has a table cloth from Butterworth’s,” added Josie.

But the prospect of retirement is not yet on Josie’s mind after the market provided a second family life for her and her three children who were ‘brought up on the market’.

She said: “I have seen a lot of people come and go. Everyone wants to retire but I love the market life.“ Although the bunting is out to mark the Queen’s jubilee celebrations it is also there to mark the market’s very’s own jubilee.

“The market staff are fantastic,” added Josie. “When I come in the morning and they open that door for me I feel like the queen.”