Caroline hanging up primary school broom after 28 years
When Caroline Slowik first started working as a cleaner at a primary school on the Shropshire border, Wham! was top of the music charts with Freedom.
Chalkboards were used instead of computers and the toilets were outside.
That was back in 1984 and the start of 28-and-a-half years unbroken service at Chirbury Primary School.
But all good things come to an end, and the 63-year-old, from Chirbury, has decided to call it a day after breaking her leg in an accident at home.
She was invited to a small party last week with former friends and colleagues at The Lowfield Inn, Marton, and presented with gifts to commemorate her long service stint.
And there are plans to make a more formal presentation by Shropshire Council at the school later this year.
Ms Slowik, a mother-of-two, said: "I broke my leg back in September.
"I had to go and live with my sister for a while and I came home in December with the aim of getting back to school.
"But I was still finding it very difficult to walk and I was at the age where you start thinking you have got to retire sometime, so I decided to call it a day.
"When I started there were chalkboards and you had to go outside to the toilet. Now its state-of-the-art computers and superloos. There were only 16 pupils here when I first took the job, now we have over 70.
"It means the amount of cleaning has increased significantly – but I always loved working there. I shall miss the many friends I have made over the years.
"I have seen many changes, with lots of ups and downs over the time I have been at the school but I am looking forward to a presentation at the school which is being organised very soon I am told."
Karen Corfield, an ex-colleague of Ms Slowik's, said she was much more than a cleaner. She said she would attend school trips and help listen to the children read.
She added: "Caroline has always been a diligent, hard working member of the team who has gone beyond her duties.
"She will be sorely missed – she was a true guardian of the school."
She now plans to publish her memoirs, Tales from the Broom Cupboard. "There has been some interest already. Watch this space," she said.
