Tributes pour in for Granny Dot whose £6k gamble in 1972 helped build £70m empire | UK | News
Dorothy Edwards. (Image: Sent)
Tributes have poured in for a “one of a kind” great-grandmother whose kindness helped launch a major food wholesale business in Wales. Dorothy Edwards, affectionately known as “Grandma Dot”, who died on March 28, was instrumental in the founding of Harlech Foodservice after supporting her family with a vital loan half a century ago. In 1972 Dorothy and her husband Harry allowed their daughter Gill and their son-in-law Colin Foskett to buy a frozen food shop and wholesale operation in Harlech, providing £6,000, worth around £100,000 in today’s money.
This bold decision laid the groundwork for the family business, which now employs 300 people and serves pubs, restaurants, schools and hospitals across Wales, the North West, Shropshire and the Midlands. In tribute to Dorothy, her family described her as “one of a kind” who lived a “long and beautiful life.” He leaves behind a lasting legacy through both his family and his company.
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Grandson Andrew, joint chairman of the firm, described the 1972 loan as “life-changing” and said: “Harlech Foodservice would not exist without my grandmother. The circumstances were there, the opportunity presented itself and the rest is history.”
“It was a gamble to give the money, but I remember my grandfather saying to my father Colin: ‘If it doesn’t work, don’t bother trying.’ So they backed them, knowing they could make it happen. They could see the business had so much potential.”
“Dorothy and Harry must have raised £6,000 from the funeral directors of their family business, Harry Edwards and Sons.”
Andrew explained that his grandmother’s connection to the business extends well beyond the initial loan as he continues to pursue it. “Them [Dorothy and Harry] “They were visiting the business quite frequently, it wouldn’t be unusual for staff to see them in the business,” he said.
“Dorothy would continue to follow Harlech on her Facebook page in later years and was constantly interested in the subject. She was delighted with the success of the business and that the family still owned the business and that we were still running the business.
“The family-run values still run through our business and we now employ 300 people and have an annual turnover of around £70 million. “Dorothy and Harry knew the Harlech area because they were one of the first customers of the Islawffordd caravan site in Dyffryn in the 1960s.
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“Mum and Dad bought the food and retail wholesale business in Harlech from Dad’s brother Bob and his wife Beryl.
“Bob and Beryl went on to establish Magna Specialist Confectioners in Stafford Park, Telford.”
According to Andrew, his grandmother was always full of fun and laughter. As reported by WalesOnline“He would often tell stories, but he would laugh so much that it was difficult for him to complete the story, especially when his daughters were around because they were laughing so much,” he shared. “The stories were often never completed due to hysterical outbursts.”
Mrs Edwards was born in Shrewsbury in 1923 to William and Priscilla Fenn, and the family moved to Wellington in 1931 for William’s railway work.
He attended Constitution Hill School and completed his education at the age of 14, becoming an assistant in a luxury women’s clothing store on Church Street in Wellington.
Gill and Colin Foskett, who founded Harlech Foodservice. (Image: Sent)
She met Harry through her close friendship with his sister Phyllis, and their first outing together was at a fairground.
He manufactured Spitfire components at Joseph Sankey and Sons in Hadley throughout World War II. Meanwhile, Harry served as an artilleryman in the Army during the war and was posted to Greece. They were married in 1945 at New Street Methodist Church in Wellington.
Andrew said: “Before this Dorothy had not seen Harry for three years due to the war. “As Harry returned from the war he sent a telegram asking Dorothy to arrange the wedding when he returned.
“They had six children, Gillian, Jennifer, Janet, Robert, Elizabeth and Susan. After the war, Harry worked in the family business as funeral directors and carpenters for Harry Edwards and Sons, eventually laying off both his brothers Tom and Frank in 1979. Dorothy worked at the business, helping Harry save dying people at any time of the day or night.
On the wedding day of Harry and Dorothy Edwards. (Image: Sent)
“Harry retired in 1989 and they sold the business at that time. They moved to Ringers Way in Admaston and looked after Dorothy’s mother Priscilla, who lived with them before Priscilla passed away in 1993, aged 98.
“In 1997 they bought a bungalow in Elmsdale Crescent, Admaston, and Harry and Dorothy set about putting their own stamp on it, which required some work. Harry, of course being a carpenter, was determined to make it their home.”
Dorothy leaves behind her grandchildren Jonathan, Andrew, Laura, Joshua and Molly Rose. He also leaves behind his great grandchildren Toby, Hari, Charlie, Ella, Mili, Maisie, Joel, Nancy, Eden and Dorothy.
A service celebrating Mrs Edwards’ life will be held at Telford Crematorium on Friday, May 1 at 2.30pm, with donations invited for the Midlands Air Ambulance.
