“Blackwood Pharmacy was opened in 1964 and owned by the Coton family. Jean Coton worked and took an interest in the pharmacy till her death in 1979.

It was then run by locum pharmacists including Pat Gough and Jackie Fowler. It was a warm and friendly place to work with many local facilities; shops, schools, churches and a library of popular doctors.

There was older and newish housing with lots of young families with children; many of these have now grown up and are living locally with their children. This gives a comfortable village feel to the place. With super long serving assistants (still there) Margaret (37 years), Diane (28 years), Sue (12 years), and others who also lived locally made it feel like we knew nearly everyone. The customers were mostly delightful and a pleasure to serve. It was hard work but fun with lots of laughs and mutual support. The pharmacy was sold by the Coton family in 2002 when I retired. It was then refitted by the new owners who sold it to Bhasker (the current pharmacist) in 2003.

It remains a very friendly and family-orientated pharmacy with many new services for the community and a high standard of customer service. It also continues to be served and well supported by the local population, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.”