Edwina leaves her second home!

The Ballymoney lady has been working at the local Health Centre since January 5, 1970 and has been in charge of running the facility since 1987.

Speaking at a retirement function held in the Centre on Friday night, Edwina said it was ‘an absolute honour to have worked with so many dedicated people’ and looked forward to ‘many new adventures’.

“Thank you all very much for coming her tonight, it’s great to see you all and I’ll talk to you all later. Whilst I’m very sorry to be leaving the Health Centre, it’s been my second home for over 40 years, I have to focus and appreciate that I have actually reached this stage in my life as 20-years-ago I wouldn’t have bet on it.

“I am lucky to be feeling well and looking forward to many new adventures that may come along.”

Looking back on her 40 years, Edwina continued: I started work here on January 5 1970 - having been interviewed at the Route Hospital by a panel of six or seven people including Dr Joe Burns, Dr Noel Sanderson, Dr Jackie Patterson, a matron and some other people followed by Bertie Thompson giving us a shorthand typing test.

“Apparently there were 65 applicants so I feel very lucky to have been chosen as one of the full-time staff along with Margaret Jones and Meta Morrison. The two part-time staff were Joan Harkness and Jean Porter (sadly now deceased).

“It’s been an absolute honour to have worked with so many hard-working and dedicated doctors and nurses - too many to name and I don’t want to leave anyone out. I hope Nuala (the new girl) is as happy as I have been and I would like to welcome her and wish her all the best.”

With over four decades under her belt Edwina has witnessed all the changes at the Health Centre including the opening of the new building, introduction of computers as well as the very ‘forward thinking’ computerised appointment system.

Edwina then highlighted her ‘great relationship with all departments within the Health Centre’ from medical and office staff to telephone experts and technicians and from caretakers and cleaners to plumbers and painters.

Concluding she added: “A big, big thanks to the backbone of the Health Centre - my comrades in reception. You gave me support many times when you didn’t even realise it. I will miss you all!

“Once again I have to say that it has been a privilege to have worked with all of you in the Helath Centre and my door will always be open and I would be delighted to see anyone who wishes to give me a call.”