Not everyone knew her by name, but there will be few who have ever passed through Plympton’s Ridgeway without at some stage noticing her eye-catching window displays and feeling a sense of admiration.
Miska Newton has been brightening up Ridgeway for many years with her displays in the window of what was originally Clark & Weeks and which last year become part of Wolferstans.
Miska joined Clark & Weeks in the year 2000 progressing to the position of Head Receptionist and Archivist. The front widow of the firm’s premises in Ridgeway has a deep recess inside and Miska started putting various displays in it, some publicising local charities and others capturing the mood of particular time of year or special event.
“Thank you so much for all that hard work. You will be missed.”
Before long her displays were capturing the attention of the passing public and became quite a talking point. Valentine’s, Halloween, the Chinese New Year, the Owl and the Pussycat and Children in Need have been just a few of the countless themes to Miska’s window displays over the years. There was even one to mark the recent Royal Wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle.
Now though after 18 years Miska is moving on to pastures new and she has packed away the window contents for the final time.
As her colleagues were saying a fond farewell at a lunchtime reception on July 31 a surprise delegation of past Stannators, headed by Plympton Community Council chairman Rose Hamley, dropped in to present Miska with an orchid as a thank you from the local community for the pleasure she has brought with her window displays over the years.
Wiping tears from her eyes as the presentation was made Miska said:
“This is wonderful and it’s such a surprise.”
It is clear from the community’s response to the news she is leaving that much enjoyment has been obtained from Miska’s window displays over the years and there is a tinge of sadness that they will be no more.
Emma Ashton said:
“They will really be missed, loved seeing the displays with the different seasons.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Theresa Pickles who remarked:
“I will really miss the displays that told of the passing seasons and special events. Always brought a smile to my face. Thank you so much for all that hard work. You will be missed.”
Vanessa Hauty added:
“Those displays were so wonderful, you put in so much care and attention, people could only stop to admire. Whenever I was called to Plympton Ridgeway, I made sure to come and have a look.”
Current Stannator Natalie Harrison said:
“Thank you for all the effort you have put into these lovely displays over the years. They were a delight to see and will be missed along Ridgeway.”
Former Stannator Andrew Hill, who was among the delegation making the presentation to Miska, said: “Miska’s window displays have been one of the highlights of trips to Ridgeway and have brought much joy to shoppers as they pass by the window. I am sure the whole community will wish to join me in wishing her all the best for the next chapter in her life and to say a big thank you from us all for your very imaginative displays over so many years.”
Miska said she had received some help from local historian John Boulden for some of the displays.
“He’s a stalwart and sometimes suggested ideas I hadn’t even thought of,”
she added.
