I just have to comment on the death of Fleetwood’s most recent benefactor. RIP Mrs Lofthouse, what a woman, who lived until she was 91 years old, a good length of time for anyone. But even when you get to that great age, a lot of us still aren’t ready for the next chapter in our lives. Top photo: The Times.
My mum lived to be 92, was severely disabled and had dementia, and even then she wasn’t ready ‘for the other side’. The trouble is, our bodies may be ageing but our minds and soul aren’t – and they never seem to catch up, do they. Not in my case that is, I don’t know about you good people out there. My mum died some 13 years after my dad. When my mum went, I remember being overwhelmed that I was an orphan. This might sound absolutely stupid to some of you, but it took some adjusting to the fact, even at my age. I had a feeling of abandonment. I’m just too soft for my own good, that’s what I am!
RIP Mrs Lofthouse
Anyway, back to Mrs. Lofthouse OBE. As we locals know, she was the powerhouse at Fisherman’s Friends throat sweets. Those mighty little lozenges, made here in Fleetwood.
I’m not trying to be critical but I couldn’t stand them. Jane quite likes them, but I tried various flavours and and out they came. Obviously my taste buds are different to other peoples’ because the family made an enormous success out of them and they are sold world wide. It’s a good job that everyone isn’t the same as me!
Anyway, based on the success of the business, they were able to set up the Lofthouse Foundation to fund community projects. The prom was improved upon, the Mount Pavilion playgrounds and Fleetwood hospital as well as part of Fleetwood’s high street, now named Fisherman’s Walk. How appropriate is that.
Funding Community Projects
She also donated a replacement for the Eros statue after the original one was damaged by the sea air and salty water. To us round here, it’s so well known and is a sort of gateway to Fleetwood. I love that statue and personally am pleased he stands there on the road to Fleetwood itself.
In 2019 the family set aside the vast sum of £30,000,000 to help fund community projects in the future.
How wonderful is that, what a woman, RIP Mrs Lofthouse, and what a legacy of love for her town. Some people called her Mother Fleetwood as she loved the town and couldn’t do enough for it. Even Lancashire police got some of their money, to the tune of thousands, after they were the victim of a horrible robbery, which I remember well.
Remedy for Croaking Voices
The original Fisherman’s Friend began in 1865 when James Lofthouse, a chemist, was talking to deep sea fishermen. The poor men were telling him lots of tales, in their croaking, hoarse voices – which gave him an idea. The day after he gave them a bottle with eucalyptus, liquorice and menthol, a bottle for the three of them. That was it, the fishermen were ecstatic that it helped their throats and so the company was formed. They say ‘mighty oaks from little acorns grow’ and they weren’t kidding in that case, were they.
The chemist later went on to make lozenges out of the mixture because the glass bottles tended to break at sea, that’s no good is it. James had the idea of making a paste with it and so the famous lozenges were born.
Did you know Lofthouses of Fleetwood produces five billion lozenges each year? My there are a lot of sore throats out there, aren’t they. They started selling them in shops around Fleetwood, then using a van to go round the North West. As the company grew they won the Queen’s Award for Exports.
Freedom of the Town
Mrs. Lofthouse and her family went about quietly giving their donations without a need for fuss, which is wonderful. She became only the third person to receive the freedom of the town.
To top it all, she gave a personal donation of £1,000,000 to help with the restoration of the Mount pavilion, garden and railings. And handsome they do look, I must say.
Did you also know that in 2010 a group of Cornish fishermen named themselves after the brand. They produced albums of traditional songs and sea shanties, isn’t that great.
Fascinating Factory
Derek and Jane were lucky enough to go round the factory a few years ago.
They couldn’t get over the running of it and the absolute hygiene. They said it was wonderful to see and came back full of stories of menthol and production lines.
To sum up, what an amazing family they are and how they love the town. Fleetwood are so lucky to have known and had many memories of her. It must be wonderful. RIP Mrs Lofthouse, what a legend, what a beautiful lady and what a shame it has come to its conclusion.
She’s certainly left her mark, that’s for sure, and will never be forgotten. Hopefully a statue will be commissioned to celebrate her life and love of her town. That would be nice and a fitting tribute.
We’re on holiday this week so apologies, no blogs, but I’ll be back soon!
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