’Ramsey won’t be the same without Walter’s’.

This was just one of dozens of comments posted on social media marking the closure of the former Joke Shop, often referred to as ’Walter’s’ after proprietor Walter Mills.

The news that the popular local institution was closing after nearly 70 years prompted an outpouring of nostalgia, all with the same theme - ’It’s the end of an era’.

The Joke Shop had its genesis in 1949 when Manchester couple Len and Ada Mills re-located to the island with their two small daughters, Joyce and Brenda.

Len, a master butcher, suffered from chronic asthma and needed to move to a less industrialised area where the air was cleaner.

He was a keen motorcyclist and had visited the TT on several occasions, so the Isle of Man was a natural choice. They started a business in Dale Street, Ramsey, selling souvenirs, toys and newspapers and also operated a lending library in the days before the town library was established.

Walter was born there in 1956.

Ramsey was a very busy place, especially in the summer months. Boarding houses lined South Promenade and hoards of holidaymakers disembarked at the Queen’s Pier.

Mr and Mrs Mills expanded the business by opening another souvenir and beach shop on the promenade, alongside the Lifeboat House, Midwoods’ photographers and the ’Wooden Indian’ souvenir shop run by a Mr and Mrs Cain.

The Dale Street shop disappeared in the South Ramsey clearances of the late 1960s and the Mills took over an existing ’Children’s Joke Shop’ on West Quay and made it their own.

In the 1950s and 60s, the shop was a magnet for coach loads of excited youngsters arriving in Ramsey on their Sunday school outings.

After a boat ride on Mooragh Lake and tea in the cafe, they were ready to cross the Swing Bridge and spend their pennies on packets of itching powder, stink bombs, whoopee cushions and other childish enticements.

Paul McCartney remembered visiting the Joke Shop when he stayed in Ramsey as a boy.

By this time the family had increased with the arrival of son Walter and three more girls - Anne and twins, Joan and Janet.

When Mr Mills senior died in 1973 it followed that Walter - the only boy in a family of six - would leave school to help his mother in the shop. He took over completely after her death in 1991.

Altogether, he has been behind the counter for 45 years, although not the exact same counter, as the shop moved premises to just a few doors along a few years ago.

These days political correctness has put an end to stink bombs and whoopee cushions, but by diversifying into household goods retailing at very competitive prices, the business has continued to thrive. For regular customers it became a one-stop shop for toys, Manx souvenirs, calendars, greeting cards, stationery.....and all sorts of timepieces.

promise

’Bring it back if it doesn’t work and I’ll replace it,’ was Walter’s promise.

The final days of business have been emotional ones for the whole family. Eldest sister Joyce Lewis made a special journey from her home in Reading for the occasion.

’I was here at the beginning, so I wanted to be here at the end,’ she said.

She remembers selling ice cream wafers from a stand at the front of the souvenir shop on South Prom. On leaving school, Joyce left the island to join the RAF.

She has been back to Ramsey regularly over the years and returned with her husband David two years ago for their golden wedding.

Loyal customers popped in every day last week with cards and gifts, expressing regret that the shop was closing and wishing Walter a happy and well-deserved retirement - and to buy last-minute Valentine’s cards! One customer even asked Walter to autograph a paper bag!

Facebook comments illustrated the place this little shop has held in the hearts of the people, old and young, including the sentiment:

’My husband will be in a flummox on Christmas Eve with Walter’s closed!’

Known for his dry humour and laconic manner, Walter was characteristically self-effacing about the tributes that have been paid and even apologises if he has ever unintentionally upset anyone.

’I know I could be impatient and short-tempered at times - especially with watch batteries! - and I apologise. Most of the time it wasn’t serious!’

He adds: ’I have been very grateful for the support and custom of the people of Ramsey and the Isle of Man, and visitors of course, many of whom returned year after year. It was a pleasure to serve them all.

’Thank you for all the many good wishes and compliments that I have been paid - they are undeserved but much appreciated.’