Joe Wardman 2017

A WELL-KNOWN former newsagent who has spent his life serving the community was still delivering newspapers at the age of 73. 

Joe Wardman sold up and retired from his Ramsden Street shop in 2011, after 52 years of running his family business. But he still remains right at the heart of town life, continuing to deliver newspapers while fulfilling an endless number of voluntary roles. 

As well as having been vice chairman of governors at Park View School for eight years, until it became part of Furness Academy, Mr Wardman has been chairman of governors at Greengate Junior School. 

The sporting community also benefits hugely from Mr Wardman’s generosity with his time. Having run the Barrow rugby league supporters' club as treasurer from 1972 to 1985, he has been treasurer of Salthouse Bowling Club since 1976 and is chairman of the Senior Citizens Bowling League and the Furness and District Bowling League. 

I loved the school atmosphere, my mates throughout the years, and the teachers. I did 12 months in the “dog kennel” situated in the quadrangle opposite the headmaster’s room. I soon became the school “gofer”, keys, glasses, letters and teacher’s homes, mainly Harry Scott.

I represented the school at running and cricket, and in my last two years became “scorer Wardman”. My biggest achievement was learning respect, and the stunning silence when Sam Price entered the hall for assembly.

I left school in 1959, and went to the Evening Mail offices. Thirty minutes later I collected one hundred A4 size single sheets of news printed both sides. I then cycled to Biggar Bank in the hot weather to sell the for 1d each. A newsagent was born.

Although I had actually started delivering at Easter in 1954, as I entered the family business.

I was a newsagent for 52 years, working 7 days, 92 hours a week. The community became my life and I was on the Carnival committee and a member of the Newsagent Federation. For 12 years I was the treasurer of the Barrow Rugby League Supporters’ club, and organised the transport to away matches. I was the local Bowling League officer, and I was on the Ten Pin Bowling committee.

In 1988 I became Greengate school governor, and similarly at Parkview school up until its closure.

I have raised a daughter and son, and have continued to deliver newspapers for 63 years.