Joan Coaker, President of the Old Dartmouthians Association Ladies Section.
Joan Coaker, President of the Old Dartmouthians Association Ladies Section
Who are you? Joan Coaker, President of the Old Dartmouthians Association Ladies Section.
How long have you lived in Dartmouth? All my life! I was born in Dartmouth in 1938, in number 10 Above Town. The house was called the Manor House, and I still think of it as my home. I grew up there, and when my husband and I were married we converted the top floor into a flat and lived up there, with Mum and Dad downstairs. It was a wonderful place to grow up. We knew everyone from one end of Above Town to the other and they all looked out for us kids. Everyone looked after each other.
We were always outside and we would lose ourselves all day up in Dyers Wood, building our dens and eating our jam sandwiches. But the best days of our lives were spent with the rowing club. I met my husband, Alan, through rowing – we’ve been married 52 years and he’s a local too, he was born out at Ash. The rowers were one big happy family and all summer, whenever we could, we’d be on the water, getting ready for the Regatta. We were all working and had to rely on our employers to let us have time off to train – which they always did. Everyone worked locally in those days and all our bosses supported the Regatta. Alan worked for Pillars then and they always let him off to train but his crew was the best – they won everything. We always came first or second but we did it for the love of it. They were wonderful times.
Where do you work? I’m retired now but when I left school my ambition was to be a dressmaker. However a friend left before me and she got a job in Paignton Woolworths. She loved it and persuaded me to join her, working in the office, and it was so nice I never left. I forgot all about being a dressmaker.
When Woolworths opened in Dartmouth in 1951 I transferred across and the manager and I were the first Woolworths staff to enter that building. Before Woolworths took it on it was a garage. I stopped when I had my children, but used to visit my friends John and Bessie Holland in their shop after I dropped the girls at school. I used to watch the till for Bessie – we used to row together – and she asked me to help out now and again. I ended up working in Seahaven for 42 years, and I still do the odd day when it’s busy. It was such good fun working there. I used to know everyone who came in.
Can you tell us about your family? Alan and I have two daughters, Karen and Suzanne, and four grandchildren who all live nearby. We are very lucky to see our grandchildren every week. My parents were Dartmouth people through and through; George Gee was my father, the local chimney sweep and he also worked at the naval college, and my mother’s maiden name was Ivy Lawes. We’ve recently been investigating our family history and both Alan and I can trace our families back through generations, all living in this area.
What is your favourite walk? Out by the Castle. That’s where Alan and I walked miles and miles when we were courting. We both love it there.
What is your favourite view? We’re so spoiled for views here. From our flat in Above Town we could see the whole river, but we were so busy then we never stopped to look at it! I love the view of Compass Cove as you walk along the coast, and the view of the river when you are actually on the water. We used to have a little boat and were on the river in all weathers.
Once we set off with another couple, with their baby and ours in their carry cots asleep, to have a picnic up the river. We got caught in the most enormous thunder storm, the engine cut out and we had to be helped back to Dartmouth. Luckily we knew everyone on the river and someone soon came to help. We got back like drowned rats – and as soon as we got back to the Boat Float the sun came out. By that time we could do nothing but laugh. We have so many memories of every bit of this area, it’s hard to choose a favourite when we live in such a beautiful place.
What is your favourite café? The Station Restaurant – it’s very good and the people in there are always so friendly.
Do you have a favourite shop? It has to be Seahaven because I had so many happy times there – and I know every inch of that shop!
What is your favourite pub? We always meet our friends in the Con Club.
Why is Dartmouth special to you? This is our home – it always has been and always will be. I never wanted to live anywhere else. My family has lived here for generations and I am a Dartmouth person through and through. It has a small population, Dartmouth people are good people and it is a place where people know each other and help each other out. I cannot imagine living anywhere but here and I have never regretted spending my life in such a lovely place.
First Published February 2010 By The Dart