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Working 40 years without a day off
6:20pm Thursday 13th March 2008
Conscientious cook Sue Dotchin took a temporary job in an Oxfordshire primary school kitchen - and ended up staying for 40 years without taking a single day off.
Now her dedication to her work has been recognised with a top honour from Oxfordshire County Council. Mrs Dotchin, 63, from Hale Road, Benson, near Wallingford, has a long association with the school.
She went there as a child - as did her brothers and sisters, her daughters and her parents and grandparents. She said: "The whole family has been involved with the school in one form or another.
"When I first left school I worked in a wool shop in Wallingford. But when my daughters were small and ready to go to Benson School I was asked if I would like a little temporary job in the kitchens - that was 40 years ago.
"I started with preparing vegetables and such like, but I've been the cook for the past 17 years. I love my job, I love the children and I love seeing them return to the school as parents of the next generation.
"I have never felt I was too tired or fed up to go to work, which is why I've never missed a day.
"If I felt I wasn't enjoying the job then I would retire - but I can't see that happening for a long time."
County council chairman Liz Brighouse presented Mrs Dotchin with a special Chairman's Award in honour of her exemplary work record. Mrs Dotchin is hot on healthy eating.
She said: "I encourage the children to eat healthily - just as I did with their parents when they were children here."
And speaking about the award she added: "I never expected anything like that, but it is nice to be thanked and to have your work recognised."
Benson School head- teacher Linda Neely said: "Sue is amazing. She is an absolutely wonderful lady, a real asset to the school.
"The children love her to bits.
"Sue is a lady with traditional and honest values and I'm sure that is what's behind this incredible track record. She fully deserves the award."
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