Biography of Ruth

Ruth’s first job when she left school was as a junior in a hairdressers but that job wasn’t for her so she moved to a solicitor’s office where she worked on reception for five years. She enjoyed working in there.

She and her husband wanted to run their own business in Essex where they lived so they bought a small gift shop. The shop was quite successful in the summer months but in witner, business was slow and in the end they sold the shop.

Ruth then had a series of jobs including doing housework and gardening for a stately home. She and her husband then moved to another place where he became head gardener and she also did gardening and cut-flowers. After that Ruth did ‘jobbing’ gardening and then she worked in a village shop.

When Ruth moved to Rye she worked part-time for the Edinburgh Woollen Mill but they closed in 2019. She also worked for Sweet Williams, and continues to work there now. She helps stock the shop and does selling.  During the pandemic Ruth helped take orders to people in Rye and the area.

Ruth also does bell-ringing for St Mary’s Church in Rye. She was bell-ringing for the King’s Coronation in 2023.

Audio of interview with Ruth