Friday, April 25, 2025
Betty and Frank Mugglestone made fast friends with my parents (John & Evelyn (aka Steve) King back in the 1950's as members of the Renfrew rugby club. Frank and my Dad talked endlessly about rugby; Betty and my Mum would be anywhere else talking about anything but rugby. That friendship continued on through to today as I write. We lived next door to one another for a number of years on King St. East until the Mugglestones decamped to Princess St. One of my favourite memories was in 1968 I was taken to guide camp in Sussex, my parents went to PEI with my siblings for a Duke of Edinborough Awards ceremony. I was to be picked up on their way back. A mix-up occurred and I was sent home, finding myself out on the street at age 11. Not knowing quite what to do I knocked at the Mugglestones door, Betty came to the top of the stairs, took one look at me and said whatever are your doing here? She knew i was supposed to still be in Sussex. I explained -I'll never forget-she looked over her glasses, arms crossed and said well is it here you would like to be staying...I uttered a very meek yes please and of course I was taken in!
The other favourite was Betty was wallpapering the kitchen at Princess St., she called my Mum over for tea-what do think said Betty-very cheerful my Mum replied, can't see anything funny Betty prompted -no said Mum, Ok right said Betty all of it so far is on upside down -look at the teapots, they were in fits of laughter, Betty continued saying if you can't see it neither will anybody else!
