Close your eyes and you can smell the fruit and veg in this old Gosport shop

Long-standing Gosport residents will undoubtedly remember Jestico's the greengrocer at 45-47 Forton Road.
Jestico's, Forton Road, Gosport, 1953Jestico's, Forton Road, Gosport, 1953
Jestico's, Forton Road, Gosport, 1953

Geoff Jestico sent me the three pictures here which will bring memories flooding back, reminiscences which will certainly include the marvellous earthy smell associated with a traditional greengrocer’s shop.

His late father Harry owned the shop for 40 years and Geoff, 79, of Burney Road, Gosport, joined him straight from school before he was called up for National Service in the RAF in 1955.

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That’s a young Geoff in the shop doorway with his father above in a picture taken two years earlier in 1953.

Christmas trees for sale outside Jestico's, 1953Christmas trees for sale outside Jestico's, 1953
Christmas trees for sale outside Jestico's, 1953

Immediately below is a seasonal picture of Christmas trees propped up outside the shop and beside the immaculate display of fruit and veg on which the Jesticos prided themselves, all perched on wooden crates. Harry is at the entrance.

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