When Cherry Orchard’s marketing manager, Helen Pallen was recently sorting through boxes after moving house, she came across a card her parents sent her 23 years ago to celebrate the arrival of her daughter – their granddaughter.
“I came across this card and read it signed from my mum and dad and when I turned it over I couldn’t believe it was a Cherry Orchard one!” says Helen, who has been the marketing manager for Cherry Orchard since 2015.
“My dad always bought his cards from George Salmon who owns Silverdale Stationers in Silverdale, Staffs – they were at school together so they’re very long-standing friends. When I showed him the card, he told me to take it into George and see if he could remember it – and he did!” says Helen.
“George has been running the shop for many years and although it sits in a small parade with just a handful of shops in Silverdale, people come from far and wide, sometimes, up to 20 miles away because there’s no shop closer that has such a wide range,” says Helen. “Some come in just to chat, others simply hand a list over and let George choose for them.”
Helen’s card has the original Cherry Orchard logo stamped on the back and has been signed lovingly by Grandma and Grandad. The granddaughter is all grown up now and making her way in life and Grandma is sadly is no longer around to share the story, but Helen has kept the card all these years and shared the joy of finding it with Jackie Collins, the owner and co-founder of Cherry Orchard who said “it shows just how much sentiment a greeting card can have.”
