Jean Sweeting
Jean was born on the 5th August 1923 the adored only child of Julia and William (Bill) Foster. They lived close to Kimblesworth Colliery where her dad was a blacksmith. Jean attended the local school and then Durham Girls’ Grammar School.
The day war broke out Jean travelled home from her grandmother’s in Huddersfield to start her last year of school. After school her plan was to train as a secretary, but her head mistress suggested teaching. Sport was Jean’s first love. Training to teach PE was costly and so Jean chose Art as her main subject at City of Leeds College. The college buildings were requisitioned as a military hospital and the students relocated to Scarborough where they were housed and taught in hotels. Neighbouring hotels were used as RAF training schools. Jean enjoyed her time in Scarborough very much.
When she qualified Jean taught PE in a boys’ school in Easington; she was in her element.
Living with her parents who had recently moved to Framwellgate Moor most Saturdays would find Jean at the dance in the Three Tuns in Durham. It was there that she met her bonny Doggie lad; George Sweeting. When George told Jean that he lived in West Cornforth she asked ‘Where?’
George and Jean were married on the 14th August 1948 in St Cuthbert’s Church, had the reception in The Garden House Durham and honeymooned in The Lake District. They came home to live above their shop in West Cornforth where they stayed for almost forty years.
Jean stopped teaching when her children were born (Julie in 1949 and Jackson in 1951) but it wasn’t long before she was back in the classroom. Jean was able to return to teaching in Cornforth because friends in the village looked after the children and helped with the housework.
Each evening at half past nine with George at the Vic, and the miniscule Ekko TV on in the background Jean settled down with a cigarette to do her marking.
Saturday afternoon the shop shut, fish and chips from Swalwells and then off to Stockton. Back home by 5 o’clock so that Jackson could watch the Lone Ranger. Sunday’s after dinner treat was Bolton’s ice cream.
There was always something to do; the WI, Badminton and the Thursday Club all had diary entries. Jean helped in the business and when she passed her driving test she was called upon to deliver orders and go to the cash and carry.
When the pit closed in 1967 George persuaded Jean to become secretary of the newly formed Community Centre. Jean started a keep fit class there on Tuesday evenings, George played snooker and afterwards, no children at home, they went to the Thinford together with their friend Joyce for the last hour. Joyce and her friend Madge were widowed but they all continued to go out together. Saturdays usually saw them all at the dance in the Community Centre and they often holidayed all together.
George and Jean retired to Sedgefield but continued to return regularly to Cornforth. They were fantastic grandparents. When George died, Jean was devastated; her diary reads ‘George gone’ she said it felt as if she was ‘a ship without a rudder’. Her friends rallied round. Jean continued to go to the Saturday dances and enjoyed some lovely holidays with ‘Blenkies’.
Jean moved to Darlington to be closer to her family and celebrated her 80th and 90th birthdays with Cornforth friends, family and the new friends she had made in Darlington. It was good that so many friends were able to come to Darlington from Cornforth for her funeral in November 2016.
What was Jean like as a person? Jackson paid tribute to her at her funeral.
Mum, nana, great nana, Jean and to some of my sister’s friends, The Duchess but not sure if she ever knew that! This list is in no particular order!
Loved a party and was up till 4 am on New Year’s Eve at the age of 91!
Loved getting dressed up, and wore a necklace most days.
Loved shopping. Even at 90 in Binns after trying on an outfit for her birthday, she stood like a super model in the doorway of the changing room
Still had her toenails painted when I last saw her
Loved my Dad and Butch very much, not always in that order
Loved football, especially Newcastle Utd, but not so keen on Sunderland! Enjoyed phoning after a match to dissect the game and there has been lots to talk about over the last couple of years!
Loved a party!
Enjoyed a G & T
Liked the Rington’s man, Alan, delivering every week
Drove until she was 80 and loved cars.
Bought herself an Audi Coupe when she retired
Had her AA badge in pride of place on the wall
Still had her college blazer hanging up in the wardrobe.
Took great pleasure in her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Always had boxes full of biscuits even though…’I am diabetic, you know’
Great at puzzles and quizzes and everyone wanted her on their team
Always played for the staff cricket team against the kids when she was teaching
Played hockey, tennis, badminton and golf when she was younger
Loved decorating Easter eggs
Her Easter and Christmas window displays in the West Cornforth Butcher’s shop were excellent
Was an avid reader
Enjoyed company but we all knew when it was time to leave
Loved her family very much as we loved her
She would have loved to see me in a suit and tie at her funeral
And never forget … she loved a party.