Gwenith Evans, originally from Handbridge, Chester, is now a Resident at Lauren Court care home in Blacon. She has been chatting to Colleagues at the home about her life story and it is so fascinating, that they just had to share.
Gwenith, or more commonly known as Gwen, has always been a fan of Deanna Durbin. Growing up, Gwen’s neighbours, Auntie Min and Uncle Alf, were actually related to the famous singer and had her portrait as well as a grand piano in their house, further inspiring Gwen’s love of Durbin.
Gwen even went on holiday to Morecambe Bay where she was encouraged to enter a singing competition. Gwen sang a Deanna Durbin song and placed second in the competition – an achievement of which she is still very proud.
Gwen had a really lovely voice and wanted to be properly trained. Unfortunately, she missed this opportunity, as money was tight growing up during the war, and she couldn’t afford the payments of 7 shillings and sixpence, the same amount that Gwen earnt when she started working at TSB bank.
Gwen left Love Street School in Chester at the age of 14, and went straight to working in the Trustee Savings Bank in Grosvenor Road. She ended up working there for over 40 years, finishing in the position of Assistant Manager. Gwen could add all 48 items on a page in her head, without a calculator!
Her favourite memory from the bank is that on the 20th November every year, everything in the bank had to be balanced. They would work all day and into the night. Gwen’s manager, Harold Halliday, would give Gwen some money and allow her to buy chips for all the staff working that day.
It has now been three years since Gwen came to Lauren Court and has been happy here, making lots of new friends. She particularly enjoys anything musical related – from visiting entertainers to singing along to The Sound of Music.
Rebecca Jackson, Wellbeing Coordinator, commented, “Ever since meeting Gwen, all the staff know her to love singing, often singing songs from the 40s, or that of her beloved Deanna Durbin. It’s been very special to get to know some more about the important things that have influenced Gwen’s life.”