A WOMAN who has worked for the same company in Petersfield virtually since she left school, has retired after 42 years.
Linda Turrell (64), now Linda King, joined Petersfield Laundry at the junction of Rushes Road and Frenchmans Road, when she was 16, earning £4.12 shillings week.
Her mother, and sister Valerie, also worked there.
Now she has retired, Linda, formerly of Glebe Road in Buriton, is moving to Hayling Island with her new husband Peter (65). They married at Buriton church in February this year.
Linda said: “When I left Petersfield Secondary Modern school, as The Petersfield School was called then, I went to work at the laundry, I left and went back a couple of times, and then stayed 42 years.
“It’s family run, and they are lovely people to work for. I enjoyed working there, everyone has been very nice.
“When I met Peter last year we chatted, and then went out for a meal; at our age you know when you’re going to be happy.
“We have now got a bungalow with a decent garden one road back from the beach on Hayling Island.
“We both enjoy gardening, so it will be lovely, either gardening, or walking by the sea.
“But my two cats will miss the fields at Buriton, they’ll probably bring back dead fish now instead of dead mice, and after 23-years in the village I’m a bit sad to leave as well.”
But although Linda has retired, she’s still getting up between 5.30am and 6am every morning.
“You get used to it, but by the time we have had a cup of tea and breakfast it’s nearly 9am.
“I sometimes wonder how I ever had the time to work,” she added.