Keith lights up Little Common

For the first time since leaving school, Keith, 67, now has more time to undertake such voluntary tasks for Little Common Business Association. He and Betty have just retired.

The name Walter's Electricals has come down from off the Peartree Lane business Keith's father Frank Walter founded in the 1930s. In its place is Adams' Electricals.

Business was suspended during the Second World War when Frank and his family moved to Kenilworth near Coventry while Frank worked in the Bristol engine factory. Keith can remember seeing the sky lit up with anti-aircraft fire and flames as Coventry was blitzed.

He recalls: "After the war, the business started up again, doing plumbing, electrical and small building works.

"The shop started as just a few second-hand fires and lamps on show in the front window of our house and developed from there.

"As it grew, various members of the family joined in - eldest brother Basil, daughter Sylvia, brother John and last of all the youngest, me."

Keith did his national service with the Fleet Air Arm, working - as an electrician of course - on Sea Hawk and Gannet aircraft.

It was while based at Worthy Down that he met Betty, who was brought up in Winchester. They married in 1959.

"The business grew during the years and became a feature of the village, but at all times trying to follow the ever-quickening changes in technical advancement going from the extreme of charging accumulators for the old radios, nine-inch black-and-white televisions, colour televisions, hand-ringer tub washers to now where there is no limit to what can be achieved due to micro-technology."

Betty worked at Sainsbury's in the days when the store was in Devonshire Road and pats of butter were made up by hand.

But for the last 46 years she has worked in the business with Keith. For them, retirement is also going to a partnership affair.

Keith says: "Unfortunately, over the last few years all the other members of the family have passed on so I am the last one left.

"When the other dependents suggested that they would like to sell up, I decided it was a good time to retire as I have reached that delicate age when I should do what I want and not what other people require...

"I wanted to make sure that the business would continue so we have sold to a local businessman in Little Common, Paul Adams, who runs another showroom the same as ours.

"People ask me if I will move away. My answer is definitely 'no' as I feel that Little Common still has that little bit of village and community life that is so lacking in much of life today.

"However, I will miss many of my loyal customers and friends and would like to thank them for their support over the years."

Keith and Betty enjoy walking. Their other shared interest is Bexhill OId Time Music Hall Society (BOTMS). Keith is a keen member of Bexhill Sailing Club and of Bexhill Rotary Club.

Keith says of retirement: "There are so many things to do! I have been out for two or three weeks and my feet haven't touched the ground. At the moment I am doing Little Common's lights - and that's just one of the things."