Honouring a Long Eaton ‘celebrity’

Respects have been paid to a town stalwart as she made her final journey down Long Eaton High Street.

Construction work was halted on the town’s main shopping street on Wednesday 29th July for the funeral procession of Shirley Kidsley, 87, known locally as “Pocket Rocket” for her big energy and small stature, which she insisted was “four foot nine and a half”.

Shirley will also be the last person to be buried at West Park Chapel. There hadn’t been a funeral at the Long Eaton-based chapel in decades, but the family bought a plot 30 years ago so that Shirley could be laid to rest next to her husband.

Her daughter Dawn visited Shirley every day and in her later years their shopping trips became something of a local spectacle. Dawn would push Shirley around town in her wheelchair – only for Shirley to be seen a short while later strolling through town on her own.

Dawn said: “Before long, my phone would start ringing. People would call and say, “We’ve just seen your mum walking down the high street on her own!”

The local shops became Shirley’s unofficial neighbourhood watch, keeping a loving eye on her – and keeping Dawn permanently on speed dial.

Born and raised in Long Eaton, Shirley lived there all her life. In her early years she worked at Jones Stroud, a local textile company that was started up in Long Eaton’s Market Place before the business went on to acquire the factory that became ‘Vida Mills’.

Contractors working on High Street on behalf of the Long Eaton Town Deal put down their tools as the celebration of life took place in the town centre – something that had been agreed with the council in advance.

Councillor Becca Everett, Lead Member for Community Engagement at Erewash Borough Council said: “Vibrant people like Shirley make our communities brighter. The stories around her life show how she brought people in Long Eaton together as they looked out for her wellbeing. Our thoughts and condolences are with her family and everyone who knew Shirley.

“The borough council didn’t hesitate to agree to the pausing of the works on Wednesday morning for the funeral procession to drive through town and demonstrates our commitment to supporting communities.”