Staff at Lowndes plan 100 acts of kindness to celebrate centenary

It is especially magical at this time of year - with wide-eyed youngsters eyeing the shelves of Lowndes store in the hope Santa will know what they wish for.

Added to the atmosphere are staff dressed as elves for a special charity event - this time they raised £110 from guessing the name of an elf toy.

There are cakes too - something which remains a daily ritual for employeers at the store in Lumley Road every afternoon at 3pm.

2020 will require an extra special cake as the New Year marks a milestone for the store as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.

At the head of the family empire is Anne Roberjot-Roberts, the granddaughter of the store’s founder, the late Roland Lowndes.

Roland Lowndes was serving with the British Army until Christmas day 1901 when during an attack by De Wet and 1,500 Boers he was severely wounded in both thighs, stripped of his clothes and possessions and left for dead.

Luckily, Roland was found and taken by bullock wagon to the army hospital. He was very lucky to survive his wounds and fever, but with his strong constitution and determination he pulled through.

Unfortunately, he was the only survivor of his regiment, the 34th Imperial Yeomanry against De Wet.

Owing to the extent of his wounds he was discharged from the army in 1902 with medals for gallantry

Before coming to Skegness, Roland travelled for Haig’s Whiskey and then became a fire assessor in Nottingham. He came to Skegness in 1920 and purchased 55 Lumley Road from an establishment owned by Mr J E Middletons.

Elsie Barker (later to be Mrs Lowndes) was employed ever since leaving school by Middletons.

Roland Lowndes employed Elsie to manage 55 while he continued his profession as a fire assessor. (Some people may remember this site after us as Woolworths)

Anne said: “Under Elsie’s astute management the business went from strength to strength and, I understand, from my Auntie Kathleen, in 1922 Lowndes was the first business to start Sunday trading in Skegness.

“If you did not have a Sunday opening license, you would have been fined five shillings each week.

“Opening hours were from six in the morning until eight at night, although I was told by my Auntie Kathleen it was sometimes ten or midnight before they actually left work.

“In 1924/25 Holmes Builders built 99 Lumley Road and approached Roland to purchase the property an agreement was made and Lowndes were on their way to the opening of their second business in Skegness.

“The challenge began at 99 Lumley Road to completely fit the new shop out with display cabinets ready for the opening.

“The amazing task of ordering enough plate glass and stands for the eight large extensive windows was under way. The story is told from Kathleen and Betty that there was not one plate glass short or one too many. On Good Friday of Easter 1925 Lowndes opened the doors of their new store.

“The crowds were so extensive they queued around the shop and Roland had been on duty to let people in and out.

“Roland and Elsie were the perfect match, between them the foundations were laid and the business grew, Elsie being the business power and Roland the finance.”

Roland Lowndes was always known by local people for the fresh rose he always wore in his buttonhole. He had been a lucky gentleman in life, not just in business but on three occassions he looked death in the face and lived to tell the tale.

The first time was the Boer War, sole survivor of his regiment. The second was when aeroplanes were still very much a novelty he decided he would very much like to go up in one but at the last minute he changed his mind... the plane crashed.

The third occasion was during the Second World War. A time bomb fell on a gas main right outside 99 Lumley Road.

The gas caught fire and the whole situation looked perilous.

He threw sand over the flames and crossed his fingers. The bomb did not go off on the first day, or the second...or the third. By the end of the week the Army successfully defused the bomb and both Mr Lowndes and the shop remained intact and in business.

“I remember for many years this bomb used to prop the door open at the old fire/ambulance station, but recently I do not know what happened to the bomb? If anybody knows what happened to our bomb we would love to hear from you,” said Anne.

Sadly in 1955 Roland Lowndes at the age of 75 died.

Elsie continued the successful business of Lowndes with her daughter Betty, but over the years many other family members worked and supported Lowndes including Kathleen, Marion, Jean, Anita, Graham, David, John and, of course, Anne.

Elsie kept a close interest in the business, working every day until she was 90, with the same love as she always had. Elsie is fondly remembered for the great pride she took in beautifully wrapping customer’s purchases.

In 1983 Anne joined the business and in the spring of 1984 opened a new designer Childrenswear Shop at 2 - 4 Rutland Road Skegness, which made the corner plot complete.

“My mother often said I was like my grandmother Elsie for challenges, which is also proven through my charity work. Sadly in December 1996, at the age of 69, after her short, brave battle with cancer, she died: I lost my perfect business parent and best friend.

“I am very proud to be still at the helm after 38 years with my invaluable team. Many of our current toys are celebrating their birthdays too, Peppa Pig is 15, The Gruffalo is 20, The Hungry Caterpillar is 50, Barbie is 60, Paddington is 61, Thomas The Tank Engine is 69, Sooty is 70, and we are looking forward to celebrating our 100 years at R Lowndes, Skegness.

“We are also looking to the future with developing our online presence through Facebook – Kool Kids & R Lowndes Skegness and our website - www.yourkoolkids.co.uk

“Lowndes store charity is the NSPCC but we have also helped many other charities and I would like to thank all that have been involved with Lowndes raising thousands of pounds over the years.

“We intend to have 100 acts to celebrate our 100 years, this will be challenges, acts of kindness and plenty of partying.

“We would also like to have contact from anyone who has previously worked for Lowndes or their family and friends to hear of their memories and stories, to produce a book to be enjoyed by all.

“Here’s to the future!”