One of her regular customers said she’d saved his life, another thanked her for her support when losing his leg and another said she’d helped her through her divorce.
That’s just while The Voice spoke to Spalding Market stalwart Julie Newman on Tuesday for a few minutes on her last shift in The Sizzling Grill truck before retirement.
A former hairdresser, the food van has been her working life for the last 35 years, 16 spent on almost every Tuesday and Saturday markets in Spalding.
At her last shift on Tuesday the 66-year-old was surrounded by regular customers, many of whom had brought their own drinking vessels.
“Without her I don’t think I would have been here,” said one person who wished to remain anonymous. “She listened to me, gave me advice and protected me when I was most vulnerable.
“I only really come out of the house on Tuesday and Saturdays to have a drink and there are many others the same.
“It’s like a community has built up around her.
“Julie knows everyone’s orders. Her memory is amazing.”
“Oh gosh, I’m going to miss them”, said a tearful Julie as she collected yet another gift from a customer. “I’ve just decided it is time to step down.
“It’s a long day, I’m in the Market Place from 6am and don’t get home until 5pm, and it’s getting to be hard work all on my own.
“I think I could write a book on everything I’ve experienced here.
“Marriages, funerals (I was at one of those for a customer yesterday), I’ve seen it all.
“There is one woman who came every week who was refusing to undergo breast cancer treatment.
“One day she said ‘see you next month’ and I responded with ‘no you won’t unless you get that treatment’. She didn’t appear the next month, but then turned up the month after and she explained she couldn’t come as she’d had the operation.
“A huge thank you goes to all of my customers past and present.”
The Voice was told about Julie’s retirement by Philip Newhouse, who Julie says she sat with in hospital where he was to have his leg amputated.
Julie, who has four grandchildren, said: “I’ve never been a particularly retiring person, having run a tight ship for my customers, but it is time now, for a younger person.
“I am hoping that someone will take over, because the customers, who I have loved serving, deserve that, and Spalding Market needs a refreshment facility.”
