The 30th June 1990 marked the end of an era when George and Llewellyn Apsley sold the 'Apsley newsagency' on Main Street, Larne to Bobby and Patsy Lyttle.

Flyer marking retirement of George and Llewellyn Apsley

In 1903 William James Apsley from Carnduff bought the shop for his daughters Sarah and Lizzie. They took charge of a shop which not only sold newspapers, fancy goods and Irish souvenirs, but also acted as a shipping agent for emigrants seeking work in America, Canada and Australia

Llewellyn, George and Betty in front of the newsagents

George joined the business in 1945, having previously being employed in Short and Harlands as a draughtsman, while Llewellyn joined in 1967 from the Ulster Transport Authority.

George, Isobel Graham, Nancy McFaul,and Llewellyn behind the counter in the newsagency

The family also owned a milliners and drapery store next door at number 11 Main Street. The last member of the family to run this store was Betty Apsley who joined the business following service with the wartime Royal Naval Service and the NI civil service.

YOUR REPLIES:

Beverly McClelland - Apr '07
I have many wonderful memories of weekly visits into Larne from our home in Kilwaughter, and popping into Apsleys was a must. For a small child it was a wonderland - and George was like the kindly old uncle we all love to recall from halcyon childhoods! He was a real gent and had time to everyone.
Later, as a teenager on my own at home, I almost set fire to our house (well, actually it was just a bad chimney fire), but when the fire brigade arrived - there was George! While one of the young firemen took the time to 'dribble' the water down the chimney and another caught it in a basin (so as not to ruin the carpets - "Margaret [my mum] wouldn't like that!" said George); and meantime George himself sat with me and calmed me down.
Since then, on my infrequent visits to Larne I have often called in at their lovely shop on Main Street, but it was never the same after the change of wonership.

Happy memories!

Thomas Parry - Feb '07
I've lived in Larne for nine years now, and have been working in Apsley's for the past five. I hear from people on my street what the shop used to look like and the people who worked in it. Its great to know i work in a shop full of charecter and a great history.

Denese Jamison - Jan '06
I can remember apsleys as where my mum took my sister and i for our comics. I had the privilege as a nurse to look after Betty when she died. This was a long way from I was a child. Our mum taught us to knit, crochet + make rugs. George Apsley was one wee pet to me. Betty was always pushing us to do something else. I guess she knew our mum too well.

Glen Brown (Edinburgh) - May 05
The shop has changed ownership again recently. My recollection of the Apsley shops in the 60s was that they were friendly and met most needs in their respective lines. When I called there in on my visits back to Larne, George always greeted me with a friendly handshake, Llewllyn enjoyed a wee bit of chat too and Betty always cheerful and friendly. An experience not too common here in Edinburgh until I'd been here 20+ years. Many a Larne child owes that special Christmas present that had been obtained and stocked by good business sense several months earlier. I often wonder what happened to my tin farm tractor c1952.

George was a volunteer member of the Larne Fire Service (orginally housed in the Larne Borough Council Yard, Victoria Road, Larne c1960). George in addition to attending Fire calls, helped in the instruction of many Larne youths to learn skills for their Duke of Edinburgh Award.

I enjoyed browsing this informative and interesting website.

Danny McFaul - APRIL 04:
Five generations of my family come from Larne, including myself. I was interested in the photograph of Nancy McFaul. I am not sure if we are related but a Nancy McFaul died in the Poor House in Larne. Can you tell me when the picture was taken? I am going to Larne next month to search for a lost ancestor. Very best wishes.

Robert Cooke - may '04
I have been told the Apsley's are related to us Cooke's. Somewhere in my mountain of genealogy the is a Robert Cooke, son of John Cooke and Mary Reylands , who married an Ellan Apsley a daughter of Joseph Apsley. I can not remember the date, but if anyone wants to have it I would be very happy to. I was born in Larne, spent many happy years there. My Australian wife wants me to return there to live and to be honest I would if I could afford to. Maybe we will one of these days. Excuse me, I tend to get carried away. Kindest Regards.