Minnie Caldwell was a character in Coronation Street from December 1960 to Ep 1589 - 7 Apr 1976. She was the timid friend of Ena Sharples and Martha Longhurst. She was played by actress Margot Bryant.
Biography
Backstory
Minnie Carlton was born in September 1900 to Bob Carlton and Amy Carlton. She had an older sister Lettie Carlton. Minnie went to school with Janie Preston. Minnie married Armistead Caldwell in 1925 but they never had any children. Minnie was lifelong friends with Ena Sharples and Martha Longhurst. Armistead died in 1935. Minnie never remarried. Minnie lived with her mother at Jubilee Terrace. Minnie drunk at The Rovers Return, Coronation Street, a minutes walk from Jubilee Terrace.
1960-1976
Minnie Caldwell still lived at Jubilee Terrace in December 1960 and used The Rovers Return in Coronation Street as her local pub. At 60, she still had a living parent. In July 1962 her mother Amy died and Minnie moved into Number 5 Coronation Street.
In April 1976, Minnie went to visit Handel Gartside in Whalley Bridge in Derbyshire. In October that year, Handel paid a visit to see Ena at No 5 to say Minnie was selling up and staying with him. After living independently by herself for many years, Minnie was told she would be looked after by Handel. Minnie did not return to Weatherfield, not even for a farewell party.
After 1976
Minnie Caldwell remained in Whalley Bridge after 1976 and never returned to Weatherfield again. Ena Sharples felt lonely as she no longer had her 2 best friends around her, and a few years later in 1980 she herself left Weatherfield and retired to the coast. Minnie passed away at some point afterwards, although the date is uncertain.
Her former lodger Jed Stone kept a photo of Minnie on his mantelpiece at his home 23 Nightingale Terrace as well as several other photographs taken in the 1960s. He took to calling his own cat Sunny Jim from the nickname that she gave him.
Gallery
2008
Behind the Scenes
- Minnie's post-Weatherfield life hasn't really been discussed, although it is more than likely she was deceased by the time Jed Stone returned in August 2008 as she would be nearing 108 then.
- Unlike her timid, cosy character, Margot Bryant was a tough lady in real life, and she used to swear a lot on set. It seems Margot was more like Ena Sharples than her own character Minnie Caldwell. However she was best friends with Eileen Derbyshire (who portrayed Emily Bishop)), and knitted Derbyshire's son a jumper.
Memorable Information
Appearances: 14 December 1960–7 April 1976
Born: 28th September 1900
Died: Before 2008
Full Name: Minnie Caldwell (Nee Carlton)
Parents: Bob Carlton and Amy Carlton
Siblings: Lettie Carlton
Spouses: Armistead Caldwell (1925-1935)
Children: None
Cousins: Bertha