Page 17 - News Autumn_Winter 2024_Print

Torbay & Teignbridge Branch members
News Autumn_Winter 2024.indd
News Autumn_Winter 2024.indd
have a stand most weeks at the Thursday
Open Air Market in Torquay Shopping
Centre. It has been an exciting part of
the branch activity and has brought the
branch work very much into the 'eye' of
the local churches. No Scripture is given
away without a meaningful conversation.
Alan and Rose, who run the stand
regularly, are new members who
joined in 2020.
This is where Nick came to know the Lord.
Nick Turner always was a larger-than-life
character... that was until life humbled him.
“I thought I had everything until it was all taken away. Then
something happened in my life that changed everything
for the better! I was born in Wolverhampton, a whopping
10lb 2oz baby! My Mum must have gone through agony
to bring me into the world! My Dad was a pub landlord,
so I grew up in an outgoing environment, which probably
encouraged me to be a bit of a 'Del Boy' character. I stayed
a lot with my Grandparents when I was young because
they fed me well; I've always had a big appetite!
Nan and Mum used to do the markets in our town and,
as a small boy, I loved to help them. That's where I must
have got market-trading in my blood, something that I
would come back to several times in my life. I wasn't any
good at school. I spent more time at my teacher's desk
sharpening my pencil than sitting at my own desk. I must
have got through thousands of pencils before leaving
school at the age of 14! I left without being able to read
(later learning I was dyslexic) and with no qualifications at
all but I was determined not to let that hold me back.
BEFORE I COULD
UNDERSTAND THE 'GOOD
NEWS', I NEEDED TO HEAR
THE 'BAD NEWS'
My first job was in Bookers Cash & Carry, stacking
shelves and working the till. Then, after a bit of factory
work, I got a job with a cleaning firm. It was not long
before I found myself in charge of the cleaning at
Wolverhampton Wanderers' football stadium (Molineux).
I was soon on first name terms with all the top football
players there, like Robbie Keane and Matt Murray. I often
knocked the ball about with them on the pitch! In fact,
that was my downfall; I got sacked for spending too much
time on the 'hallowed turf' instead of making sure the
cleaning was done properly! I began travelling down to
Brean in Somerset to do their big out-door market but
then decided to set up my own cleaning company back
in Wolverhampton.
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