‘Hip hip hooray!’ Village school’s lunch lady retires after 20 years
Elizabeth Bacon surrounded by pupils at Aldborough Primary School, where she has worked for the past 20 years. Picture: STUART ANDERSON - Credit: Archant
It has been 20 years since a school's beloved lunch lady first cycled her way to work from the village where she lives.
From left, Alison Read, Elizabeth Bacon and Tracy Hindry at Aldborough Primary School, where Mr Bacon has worked for the past 20 years. Picture: STUART ANDERSON - Credit: Archant
And now pupils and staff at Aldborough Primary School in north Norfolk have gathered to say thank you to 74-year-old Elizabeth Bacon, who is retiring from her post as lunchtime supervisory assistant.
Mrs Bacon said she was sad to be leaving the job, but delighted at being presented with a bouquet of flowers and cake with 'happy retirement' iced on it by fellow staff members.
Headteacher Alison Read gave a thank you speech for Mrs Bacon during the lunch hour, and most of the school's 120 children were on hand to give her three cheers.
Mrs Bacon said: 'It's going to be hard to go but there comes a time when you have to think of things like your health as well. But I have loved every minute of it.
From left, Tracy Hindry, Elizabeth Bacon, Marion Colebrook and Alison Read at Aldborough Primary School, where Mr Bacon has worked for the past 20 years. Picture: STUART ANDERSON - Credit: Archant
'It's the children I'm going to miss the most of course, but things always change, don't they?'
In her position, Mrs Bacon spent more than an hour at the school every day, setting the tables for the children, making sure they found their way to their lunch places - especially the younger ones - and taking a supervisory role in the school playground after the youngsters had eaten.
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Mrs Read said Mrs Bacon had made a big contribution to the school and would be missed by adults and children alike.
She said: 'She's brought a real consistency for the school and a strong link with the village. And the fact that's she's now in her 70s and is still pedaling up here is remarkable.
'The door will always be open for Mrs Bacon, but now she will be able to sit and enjoy her meal and not have to do any work.'
Tracy Hindry, who works in the school kitchen, said she would also miss Mrs Bacon.
She said: 'She pedals up every day rain or shine. I'm glad that she's still going to come up and see us for a cup of tea.'
Mrs Bacon's children, Kevin and Kim Bacon, and her grandchildren, Jasmine and Millie Bacon, have all attended the school.
She said: 'I always said that when my grandchildren left I would give up but now it's four years on and I'm still here. It really is a lovely school and everyone is so friendly.'
Mrs Bacon has lived in Aldborough for 47 years, and is married to Dennis Bacon.
