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Dinner lady retires after 54 years

St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School Mrs Hewlett stands in the middle of nine children, two stand in front of her holding a bouquet of flowers. The children wear green jumpers and grey skirts and trousers. Mrs Hewlett wears a zebra print blouse.St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School
Brenda Hewlett worked with four generations of children, parents and even grandparents during her time at the school

A much-loved dinner lady has hung up her apron after 54 years.

Brenda Hewlett, from Bolton, said goodbye to the children at St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School on Friday after more than five decades in the role.

She said she was now looking forward to booking a holiday with her husband.

"We can go now whenever we want, in the past we had to go when it was school holidays," she said.

Mrs Hewlett worked with four generations of children, parents and even grandparents during her time at the school.

"I just loved being with the children and I did like all the staff. I just loved the job," she said.

St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School Mrs Hewlett stands outside the school with two children, they hold a large bouquet of flowers. She wears a zebra print shirt.St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School
Brenda Hewlett from Bolton said goodbye to the children at St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School on Friday after more than five decades in the role

As well as making lunchtime go smoothly, she was known for being particularly kind with the younger pupils.

"They would tell me about their family and how they were doing at school and what lessons they were having. It was quite interesting really," she said.

She said former pupils regularly came to speak to her while she was out and about.

"I'll be in town and I'll see one or two girls or boys, and they'll shout, 'Hi Mrs Hewlette'. But you do forget who they are because they've grown up, of course," she said.

St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School Mrs Hewlett looks off the side and smiles, she has short light brown hair and wears a zebra print blouseSt Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School
As well as making lunchtime go smoothly she was known for being particularly kind to younger pupils

Mrs Hewlett said the children had given her "lovely send off" on Friday, and she promised to come back and visit.

"All the children from all the classes, 420 children, lined the corridors and each class came up with a card they'd made themselves," she said.

"So I got loads and loads of lovely handmade cards."

Assistant head teacher Sean Barrett said the importance of Mrs Hewlett's role at the school should not be understated.

Mr Barrett said her warmth and her smile had radiated through the work that she did.

"We can't underplay the importance of Brenda's work at the school," he said.

"We hear a lot about teachers and the impact they have but schools don't run if it's not for people like Brenda and the work they put in."

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