AFTER working a combined total of 63 years at schools in Sawtry, a teacher and kitchen supervisor are heading into retirement for a well-earned break. Jean Chance, 61, and Ann Green, 60, are retiring after working for 35 and 28 years respectively. Mrs Cha

AFTER working a combined total of 63 years at schools in Sawtry, a teacher and kitchen supervisor are heading into retirement for a well-earned break.

Jean Chance, 61, and Ann Green, 60, are retiring after working for 35 and 28 years respectively.

Mrs Chance started as a dinner lady before becoming the kitchen's senior supervisor at Sawtry Infants' School. Not bad for a woman who had not intended to stay longer than a week.

"I used to help out at the school as a mum but then one of the dinner ladies left," she told The Hunts Post.

"The headteacher at the time asked me to take it but I refused. I didn't want a job. I was asked to fill in for one week until they could find someone else, but it turned into the longest week of my life."

Mrs Chance has seen four head teachers run the school since she started in 1972.

"The children that used to hold my hand in the playground are bringing their own children to school now. I get people tapping me on the shoulder saying: 'Hello, Mrs Chance, are you still here?' And now people keep telling me: 'You have to stay Mrs Chance, my children are starting school soon.'"

Mrs Green, who was a teacher at Sawtry Pre-school Playgroup, said she had been experiencing the same thing since announcing her retirement.

"It's been a most enjoyable time of my life and since the next generation has come into the playgroup, I've been saying to lots of children: 'Your mummy came here.' It has been lovely."

Mrs Chance added: "It will be September when everyone is going back to school that it will really hit me that this isn't just another summer holiday.