Although it's sad when team members leave, when they are leaving for retirement it is also a time to celebrate. Three members of our team have retired over recent weeks and we have been wishing them all long and happy retirements, whilst taking a moment to look back over their time with Shorts and celebrate their careers.
Mary Jackson
This week we bid a fond farewell to Mary Jackson. Mary began her time at Shorts working in the filing room at Fairfield Road, before moving into Financial Service area of the firm where she worked as one of the Advisor Support team. Mary has been an integral member of the Financial Services department for over 17 years and will be missed by her colleagues; many of whom consider her a close friend, confident and 'work mum' and we wish her a very happy retirement. We asked Mary -
1. What will you miss when you leave?
I will miss the staff, friends and colleagues, the regular wage (😆), and the job.
2. What won't you miss?
I won't miss getting up at the same time everyday and not having enough outside work time to do everything.
3. What are you looking forward to the most during your retirement?
I'm looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, baking and gardening and holidaying in the UK.
4. Do you have any memorable moments of your time at Shorts to share with us?
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I started my elastic band ball whilst opening the post and was hoping to bounce out on it when I retire, however, although it is large, I think I will have to carry it out or pass it on!
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When Westfield House shut to be made into the new office, I did what I always wanted to do and slid down the old wooden banister!!
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Helping to feed the badgers with Golden syrup and peanuts and placing the sticks for their rehoming in the bottom carpark.
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Sometimes joining in with the Wednesday morning quiz across the road on Fairfield Road.
Karen Lawson
Earlier this year in March, we wished Karen Lawson a happy retirement. Karen was one of our team of Receptionist/Administrators and had been with Shorts for three years. Initially joining our team on a temporary basis, Karen soon settled in and became a valued and popular member of the permanent team. We asked Karen -
1. What will you miss when you leave?
I will definitely miss my colleagues the most when I leave.
2. What won't you miss?
I definitely won't miss having to get up early!
3. What are you looking forward to the most during your retirement?
I'm looking forward to spending more time cyclin, salsa dancing and improving my Dutch (I started learning Dutch during lockdown)
4. Do you have any memorable moments of your time at Shorts to share with us?
My contract with Shorts started out as a 2 week temporary assignment in the Chesterfield office that became permanent!
Sylvia Sowden
Also in March, we bid farewell to Sylvia Sowden, who joined Shorts as a member of the internal finance team in 2016. Sylvia's experience and detailed understanding of Xero helped to revolutionise the internal accounting systems here at Shorts, changes which saw growth and development within the finance team, and recognition such as winning the In-house Finance Team of the year award at the 2021 Yorkshire Accountancy awards. We asked Sylvia -
1. What will you miss when you leave?
The relaxed working environment.
2. What won't you miss?
I definitely won't miss the travelling and the endless traffic lights which seem to delay my journey.
3. What are you looking forward to the most during your retirement?
I'm looking forward to having more spare time and pursuing my endless craft projects
Tags: Team News
