Fond farewell as school cleaner, 81, retires

A woman who has worked as a cleaner at the same school for 26 years is retiring at the age of 81.

Mary Irwin started at the Cedar Park building at Murray Park Community School in Mickleover, Derby, in 1998, working until midnight with a mop and bucket to clean the floor.

Her son and four grandchildren all attended the secondary school and she said one of her fondest memories was the grandchildren coming to find her at the end of each day to say goodbye.

"I am looking forward to having some time to myself, but I am going to miss the people here so much," she said.

The Cedar Park building first opened as a music room but has more recently been used as a specialist area for the school's special educational needs pupils.

Ms Irwin said she had mixed emotions about retiring.

She said: "I was all set to retire last year, then when it came to it, I thought, 'what’s one more year?'

"I am looking forward to having some time to myself, but I am going to miss the people here so much. The staff have become like family; they always take the time to have a chat with me.

"I am also going to miss the children; they always say the funniest things. It has been wonderful to see the pupils start here and progress into young adults by the time they leave.

"They change so much in their time here."

Before joining Murray Park, Ms Irwin worked at the Co-op but left as the evening work at the school suited her caregiving needs better.

Initially there were two cleaners but when one left, Ms Irwin took on sole responsibility.

She added: "Back when I started cleaning, when this building was for music only, I used to use a mop and bucket to clean this entire hall and then polish it after.

"With the school expanding and the building's purpose changing, now dinners are served in this hall at lunch, I am glad I have my scrubber, which does a fantastic job."

When asked about her top cleaning tips, Ms Irwin said: "You've just got to put your back into it. There's no easy way to get the job done."

Alison Baker, facilities manager at Murray Park, said: "Murray Park won't be quite the same without Mary – she's been here longer than most and is a much-loved member of our team.

"We wish her a very happy retirement and hope that she doesn't have to spend too much of it cleaning."

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