Woman (85) who had 60 year-career at Huntly shop praises "unbelievable" transformation at No 30 The Square
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AN 85-year-old has shared her "remarkable" memories of No 30 The Square over an incredible six-decade career at Cruickshanks, ahead of its reopening next year as a community space with a cinema.
Jean Finnie (85) said her old workplace was "some place now", after a multi-million pound redevelopment, and it had been a "big shock" to see the "really amazing" changes.
Last Thursday (October 2), she was taken for a surprise tour of No 30 the Square, which will also feature café and retail space – along with co-working and events areas.
Efforts to transform the space have been led by the Huntly Development Trust, following the closure of Cruickshanks and the building's sale in 2018.
"Oh, gosh," she said.
"I think it's all really great – the whole place.
"It's unbelievable. Amazing, really.
"I never realised it would be like what it is."
Ms Finnie, who said she has stayed in Gartly "all my days, as well", started at Cruickshanks in January 1954 and retired in 2012.
And, during her 58-year stint, the store passed through four different sets of owners.
"Well, I left the school and one of the teachers at the Gordon Schools, she got the job for me," said Ms Finnie.
"I was 15-and-a-half when I started.
"And I was never anywhere else."
Jean said that, despite occasionally asking herself: "how is it I’m still here?" during her career, she made countless memories and experiences during her time there.
The visit to No 30 was a surprise, Ms Finnie said.
On the day of the visit, she turned down the offer of a lift into Huntly – instead taking her dial-a-bus because she needed to go shopping.
She said she was "quite surprised" to be whisked away on the tour, but added: "everyone was very nice, like".
Carolyn Powell said that, as soon as HDT started hosting tours of No 30, the team began hearing tales of a woman who worked at Cruickshanks for 60 years.
However the Trust could not work out who she was or how to get in touch with her.
But, "out of the blue", Ms Powell said, Ms Finnie's neighbour Jackie Smith laid the foundation for the 85-year-old's surprise tour.
"It was a lovely opportunity to get her recollections of what it was like and what it is like now," Ms Finnie said.
"She is such a delightful lady and has such a remarkable memory for people and dates.
"It was like a history tour for us, really."
In the end, Ms Finnie said she spent "hours" at No 30 – topped off with lunch at The Bank Café and Restaurant.
And she has already recommended that other ex-Cruickshanks staff take a look inside the building.
"Well, I had heard from people that had seen it, saying how good it was," she said.
"And, later on, I was speaking to a girl who was working there when I worked there.
"She stays in Huntly and hasn't seen it yet, so I was telling her: ‘Oh, you'll have to get to see it.’"
It was vital for HDT to have Ms Finnie visit, Ms Powell said, because: "No 30 is all about people."
"It was important to be able to recognise somebody that has been an important part of people's lives for such a long time," she added.
"The really important part of that building is its history and the people that have been part of that history.
"So there was something very special about it.
"Big thanks to Jackie Smith for contacting us and letting us know and being able to contact her.
"I don't know how we would have found her otherwise."
Ms Finnie also offered a look inside what her working life was like at Cruickshanks.
She said it could be a tough job, with lots of travelling up and down flights of stairs.
The busy Huntly shop also acted as a base for other shops in Banff and Buckie, with Ms Finnie often helping to price goods for those shops before they were delivered by van.
"I was always travelling about in there," she said.
"The store was right in the very top with everything to carry up there.
"And it was up and down that set of stairs – oh, I don't know how many times I did it.
"We had quite a lot of heavy lifting to do as well.
"We always had plenty to do.
"Too much sometimes."
Another visit to No 30, once it opens, is already on the cards for Ms Finnie.
“Well, I'm usually down once, sometimes twice every week, and my sister stays in Huntly," she said.
“I'm down shopping anyway so I will be in to see it once it's finished altogether and ready to open.
“Just hoping people use it after all the work. I think they should.
"I hope it is used after all that work and everything."
Upon the opening of the revamped facility, Ms Powell said: "We are really hoping she will come in when it is open.
"There will always be a special place here reserved for Jean."
Asked whether she would be applying for the job managing No 30 The Square – and adding to her incredible career at No 30 The Square – Ms Finnie was quick to lay down the law.
Laughing, she said: "Oh never, never!
"I'm too old for that now."
