Charles Harold and Ethel Webster left Denniston about 1938 and lived in 125 Romilly Street, Westport aprox 16 years
Charles served in the Home Guard and later established and managed Kiwi Construction Ltd for 7 years. Building government housing in Westport and Reefton for returning solders also a school block and hospital wing.
They then moved to 46 Beresford Street, New Brighton in Christchurch about 1954 and purchased a fruit and confectionery shop. Webster's Quality Fruit shop and milk bar, 79 Seaview Road, was open 6 days and also served patrons of the local Roxy Cinema.
After 4 years they sold and moved to 109 Marshlands Road. Charles worked at Foodstuffs for about a year while waiting for construction of his new Four Square Shop in Marshlands Road while Ethel worked at Minsons Columbo Street China Shop.
They sold the grocery shop after 4 years and bought a book and gift shop, the Community Book Shop on the corner of Papanui Road and Sissons Road in Northlands, Papanui. After 4 years Charles retired at 60 but later returned to work at Sydenham, Northlands and Mervale Supermarkets in the grocery departments. Retired again at 71.
In 1971 both Ethel and Charles took a 4 months world tour.
After Ethel died Charles shifted to one of two units on the corner of Opawa and Port Hills Road.
My Mum (by Geoff)
She had a good singing voice and could play the piano. These talents made her a favorite inclusion in church stage productions. Sundays I looked forward to as Dad cooked the lamb roast while Mum was at church and I was allowed (at the age of 15) to pick mum up from church in the family Vauxhall.
In her latter years she worked for the Presbyterian Social Services in the Op Shop in Hills Rd.
When Asians came in and wanted to “bargain” Mum would not enter into it and would say “No way, that’s the price take it or leave it” she was one of their best sales persons.
Mum was from the “old school”, looked after the family, was a great cook, seamstress and worked as a partner in the various business ventures my father was involved in.
