By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The family of inspirational Southport couple Bernard and Joan O’Malley have gathered together to celebrate the official unveiling of a memorial bench in their memory.
Many tributes were paid after Bernard and Joan O’Malley died within days of each other in October last year aged 88-years-old following 65 years of married life.
Mr and Mrs O’Malley founded what is now Nationwide Produce PLC, which has its headquarters on Lord Street in Southport town centre.
The couple and their family have grown Nationwide Produce PLC 50 years ago into one of the largest, longest established, and most diverse produce companies in the UK with a £186m turnover operating across four countries and employing 300 staff.
They have long been hugely supportive of a wide range of community projects in the Southport area and beyond.
A Nationwide Produce spokesperson said: “On Saturday 15th March, the O’Malley family gathered for the official unveiling of the Bernard and Joan O’Malley Memorial Bench at St Cuthbert’s Church in Churchtown Village, Southport.
“This special tribute, unveiled during the St. Patrick’s Evening event at Churchtown Conservative Club, celebrates the incredible legacy of Bernard and Joan – founders of Nationwide Produce PLC and dedicated supporters of the local community.
“Their generosity and commitment touched so many lives, and this bench stands as a lasting reminder of their contributions.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made this possible, including George Hitchmough, Dave White, and Jamie Barton.
“Thanks to the overwhelming support, additional donations of over £1,000 each were also made to Queenscourt Hospice and the Walton Centre – causes close to the family’s heart.”
“Yesterday (Tuesday 18th March) marked what would have been Bernard’s birthday, and it’s a fitting moment to reflect on the impact he and Joan had, not just on our company but on the entire community. Their legacy will live on.”
The memorial bench was bought after a successful fundraising effort by George Hitchmough, Dave White, and Jamie Barton.
President of Churchtown Conservative Club George Hitchmough said:
“Bernard and Joan O’Malley were active supporters of Churchtown Village and its organisations, as well as other local groups in the greater Southport area.
“Our fundraising campaign to purchase a memorial bench in their honour received significant support from various community groups including Churchtown Conservative Club, Hesketh Arms Bowling Club, Old Links Golf Club, Crossens Bowling Club, and contributors from events such as the Tommy Fleetwood Question and Answer session, Presidents Golf Day Raffle, and Race Night. Additionally, many individuals made personal contributions.”
In a statement at the time, Tim O’Malley said: “My mum, Joan O’Malley, and my dad, Bernard, were both 88 years old and had been married 65 years. In all that time they’d hardly spent a night apart.
“Nationwide Produce PLC began life in September 1975 as Bernard O’Malley & Co.
“The ‘Co’ was my mum. My dad did all the trading, my mum did the books.
“The office was a small room in a small three bedroom house in Southport with four young kids running around – three of them now in the business. Myself, Patrick and Anthony.
“My dad never stopped talking about the business. First thing he would say whenever I saw him was ‘how’s the job?’.
“He loved the fruit and veg trade and was enormously proud of the business he created alongside my mum.
“I’ll miss him, I’ll miss his boundless enthusiasm for the business but above all, I’ll miss his advice, his pearls of wisdom.”
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