By Diane Wailes
1790 is proving to be quite a year! In the United States, President George Washington is giving his first State of the Union address; across the Channel, the French are gearing up for Revolution; and in Vienna Mozart’s opera, Cosi fan Tutte, is having its world premiere. Here in North Shields, things are also happening for the Turnbull family, as local man John Turnbull has decided to set up in business as a furniture maker and undertaker, in premises in the ‘Low Town’, near the Fish Quay.
Fast forward to today and Funeral Director, E Turnbull & Son, is still a family-run firm, and one of the oldest businesses in our town. We spoke to John Turnbull’s seventh-generation descendant, Ben Broadhead, about his job as Director of this North Shields institution.
Tell me a little about the history of Turnbull’s in North Shields.
Well, we’ve been going for 234 years, starting off on the Fish Quay, then moving up the bank to Bedford Street, and finally to our current premises on Albion Road. In the early days, we relied on horses to pull the funeral carriages and, like many businesses at the time, our horses were requisitioned by the Army at the start of the First World War.
In 1907 we introduced the first car to North Shields – a very smart Vauxhall Model 719. And we’ve also supported the community through some key moments in North Shields’ history, including the tragic bombing of Wilkinson’s Lemonade Factory in 1941, when 107 men, women and children lost their lives in a single night.
What’s the history of the building you occupy now, on Albion Road?
It’s a fantastic building, which used to be the Turnbull family home. In fact, the old family AGA is still in situ down in the basement! On the other side of the road there was the garage for the cars, and before that the building housed the funeral carriages and horses. The stables were actually upstairs, so the building had a ramp for the horses to get up to the first floor!
Why did you decide to stay in the family business and become a Funeral Director?
When I was young I used to help out with odd jobs, like delivering flowers. But I actually started my career working in marketing for DFDS, at the ferry port. It was only three years ago, after the death of my grandfather, Jimmy, that I decided to join my mother, Jane, in the family business. I’m glad I did as I feel very proud to be following in their footsteps – quite literally, as I walk at the front of a funeral cortege.
What do you most enjoy about the job?
It’s an honour to help families at their greatest time of need. Although a very sad time for each family, it gives me a great sense of pride in my job to think I’ve been able to help them through a very difficult time.
Your job must give you lots of opportunity to think about life and death. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your life?
It probably sounds cliché but try to be present, enjoy life as much as you can and have no regrets. Sometimes we get caught up in our struggles and let life slip away, but it’s precious and we must try to take in as much of it as possible.
Can you share any memorable or unique funeral services that Turnbull’s has organized over the years?
Funerals don’t need to be ‘traditional’. I remember one lady who wanted her funeral to have a farm theme, complete with the Old MacDonald’s Farm music. Two of her children dressed up as farm animals and we were very happy to help, with our funeral director swapping his traditional formal clothes for a farmer’s costume for the day.
Would John Turnbull who started the business recognise the job you do now?
The importance of funerals as an opportunity to say goodbye to someone and celebrate their life is something that hasn’t changed. But I think that over the years the service has become more personal; people have more choice and funerals are much more tailored to the individual. I hope that John would recognise the caring nature of what we do and I’m sure he’d be pleased to see the Turnbull name still prominent in North Shields.
How have Turnbulls supported the local community over the years?
We’ve always believed that because the local community supports us, we should be active in supporting them. It’s an important part of who we are. My great-grandfather, Jim Turnbull Senior, used to cook food for the homeless at Christmas. Nowadays, we sponsor North Shields junior football teams and the Tynemouth Golf Club juniors. And we also work with the YMCA, funding French and Spanish lessons for children at the nursery and supporting their community meals initiative.
You must have an amazing archive of North Shields people and events.
Yes, we have large, beautifully hand-written ledgers that go back many years. Some of the records are unique. For example, there’s a funeral bill from 1911 for a lady called Catherine Pendergast which was paid by the US Government, because Catherine’s husband had served in the American Civil War. A copy of it is also held in the US National Archives!
What do you like best about working in North Shields?
Definitely the community spirit. There’s a lot happening with businesses coming together to support each other, and with the redevelopment of the town centre. I think these things are making a difference, and we’re very proud to be part of the North Shields community.
Why are your thoughts on this newspaper?
Anything that celebrates our town is a good thing. I think it’s important to focus on all the positive things that are happening here and the improvements that are being made to North Shields.
What would you like to see happening for the North Shields’ 800th birthday celebrations next year?
I’d like to see opportunities to celebrate our local businesses and put them in the spotlight. We’ve got some fantastic businesses in North Shields and we need to do whatever we can to help them succeed.
Finally, what’s your favourite place in North Shields?
I love walking along the Fish Quay. It’s a special place and I have very happy memories of going there with my Grandfather, Jimmy, to buy crabs from the fishmongers for our lunch.
