Last updated at 17:01, Friday, 02 November 2012

FRIENDS and family turned out for the unveiling of a plaque in memory of a much-loved Ulverston newsagent yesterday.

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The plaque was installed just above the spot where Malcolm Sibbit worked for 35 years before he died in August.

Staff at Salmon’s Newsagents, in New Market Street, decided to make the gesture in remembrance of the man they described as “like a father” to them.

Mr Sibbit’s widow, Sharron, said she was pleased to see how many people turned up to honour the memory of her husband of 35 years.

“It shows how much he meant to people,” she said. “It makes me very proud.

“He is still here, up in the place where he belongs.”

Mr Sibbit died in August, aged 65, following a short battle with cancer.

Pauline Wall, Mr Sibbit’s sister, said she still missed her brother but that it was lovely that people wanted to make the effort to remember him in this way.

PC John Turner, of Ulverston police station, was invited to unveil the plaque – which describes Mr Sibbit as “the heart and soul of Salmon’s” – yesterday afternoon.

He said Mr Sibbit was well known among staff at the station and the force had been saddened to hear of his death.

He added: “I must have known Malcolm for 15 years. I used to come in often just to see him.

“He was a true gentleman who always had a smile for you.

“He liked to have a chat and a laugh – he was one of Ulverston’s characters.”

Jean Jewitt, who worked with Mr Sibbit for over 10 years at the store, said: “I think all the customers miss him and it just shows how well liked he was.

“Now he is up there and he will look after us and help us along.”

Following Mr Sibbit’s death, a memorial book was placed in the newsagent’s for people to leave their comments.

Mrs Sibbit said: “I had some lovely comments about him.”

First published at 16:15, Friday, 02 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk