Nursery World - Spotlight on ... Gladys Macfarlane, retired volunteer

Name: Gladys Macfarlane

Position: Retired volunteer at Riverside Community Health Project, Benwell, Newcastle

- Did you ever imagine you'd work at Riverside Community Health project for 38 years?

I can't believe where the years have gone. I went to drop off my daughter in 1972, when she was a toddler, and after she went to nursery I stayed on to run the toddler group. I have been working there ever since.

- How did you mark your retirement?

I thought I could bow out gracefully and quietly, but Sure Start West Riverside Children's Centres threw me an extravagant party. I was shocked at how many people turned up. They made me a beautiful 'This is your life' book with photos of me and the children over the years, which I found really touching.

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