Len's legacy will help budding artists

Len Little, who ran LJ Little, in Castle, with his wife Pauline until he had a stroke 12 years ago, passed away at home, on August 17, aged 77.

An art prize is being set up in his memory at the Manchester School of Art, at Manchester Metropolitan University, where Len studied for a degree in art when he was 48.

Pauline said: “He really invested in young people and was keen on them doing what they wanted to do and achieving their dreams.”

The couple opened LJ Little, in Chester Road, in 1969 and have lived and worked there ever since.

Before that, they had a shop in Market Way, in Northwich town centre.

They started off selling menswear and school uniforms, then dropped the menswear side and expanded into dancewear.

Pauline said: “A lot of the younger generation have said how encouraging Len was.

“He always had time to listen to young people and help them.

“Many a schoolboy remembers Len making them do their times tables in the shop when they came in for their school trousers.

“He always said ‘you can’t build walls unless you lay the foundations and the foundations of maths are your times tables’.”

Pauline and Len, who have four children, Helena, Edward, Louise and Rebecca, and three grandchildren, Joshua, Naomi and Sasha, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in April.

Pauline said: “In that 12 years since he had the stroke we have had a very good life.

“I brought him home when the authorities didn’t want me to and he’s been very well aware of what all the children have done. He was always well aware of what was going on, he was just locked in his body but still understood everything.”

His funeral will be held at Altrincham Crematorium at noon on September 8, followed by a service at St Wilfrid’s Church, in Mobberley, at 1pm.

The family has asked for donations to the Leonard James Little Prize instead of flowers.

Gift aid forms are also available.

For more information ring Pauline on 01606 75770.