Loyal Christine snowed under with presents

SHOP assistant Christine Silverwood has retired from the DIY shop where she became “part of the fixtures and fittings” after more than three decades of service.

The 70-year-old called it a day after 34 years at Lloyds DIY on Houghton Road, Thurnscoe.

Colleagues threw a surprise retirement party to say farewell on her last day on Thursday and customers were invited to thank her for her dedication.

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Christine, of Pagnell Avenue in Thurnscoe, was in charge of knitted wool and fancy goods at the shop.

She said: “I had an unbelievable day. 

“I came home absolutely snowed under with presents. Now, I am going to catch up on my reading and jigsaws.”

Christine said she enjoyed working at the store, which is why she remained after the normal retirement age.

But she added: “I have threatened to leave every year since I was 60.”

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Christine will now be spending more time at home with husband David, who is already retired.

She said: “We are going to be getting under one another’s feet now.”

The couple have two children, Andrew and Kevin, and two grandchildren, Dylan and Alana.

Her former boss, Lloyds DIY company director Alan Fogerty, said Christine had become “part of the fixtures and fittings” of the shop and had been popular with both customers and colleagues.

Mr Fogerty said: “She has been here 34 years and been dedicated to the cause. She is a quiet woman who is very well liked by the community and would help anyone.”

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