The Rinkha bids a fond farewell to Margaret after 30 years

Staff and friends will be gathering at the Rinkha in Islandmagee this week to wish a happy retirement to Margaret Hamilton.
By Staff Reporter
Published 8th Sep 2020, 12:19 BST
Updated 8th Sep 2020, 12:32 BST
Margaret Hamilton, who is retiring after 30 years service, pictured with Liz, William and Ross Hawkins in the Rinkha.Margaret Hamilton, who is retiring after 30 years service, pictured with Liz, William and Ross Hawkins in the Rinkha.
Margaret Hamilton, who is retiring after 30 years service, pictured with Liz, William and Ross Hawkins in the Rinkha.

Margaret joined the ice cream and toy shop in 1989, and has worked hard over the past 30 years, witnessing some huge shifts in the family-run business.

Rinkha owner William Hawkins said: “Margaret is one of my longest-serving employees; she has been dedicated to her job and is a very loyal person to all. She carried out each task with detail and always enjoyed the run up to Christmas with the toy club.”

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An integral member of staff over the past three decades, Margaret oversaw the popular Christmas club in their Carrickfergus shop during the 1990s, and was involved with the huge renovation of the Islandmagee shop in 2006. She was also involved in the opening of the cafe in 2013 and saw some great parties - including the Jubilee, the Giro and recent success as the Rinkha scooped the award for best ice cream flavour in the UK.

Margaret Hamilton at the Rinkha.Margaret Hamilton at the Rinkha.
Margaret Hamilton at the Rinkha.

William continued: “She will be dearly missed by all, including our loyal customers with whom she enjoyed a chat. I would like to wish her a very happy retirement and thank her for her loyalty over the past 30 years.”

Ross Hawkins, who is following in his father’s footsteps and taking over the ice cream offering in the shop, added: “Margaret was always there in the shop from when I was a young boy – she even used to babysit my three brothers and I when we were younger. She is like a member of the family.

“She has always showed great enthusiasm and she’s a very kind person with a lot of time for people. Margaret will be missed by all of us and I would like to thank her for her service, dedication and friendship over the years. I wish her a very happy retirement.”

Related topics:IslandmageeCarrickfergus