On Friday 17 August, the Mayor of Gosport, Councillor Keith Gill will welcome Mollie Aldred to the Parlour to say ‘Thank You’ for the excellent job she has undertaken on behalf of the authority for the last 25 years.
Mollie Aldred commenced work with the Council on 16 August 1982, working as a cleaner at Fortune House, one of the Council’s Sheltered Housing Schemes. In 1992, she took on the additional role as cleaner of both Chilworth Grove and Warders Court, two more of the Borough’s busy residences.
After 14 years as an excellent cleaning operative Mollie was made Deputy Cleaning Supervisor in July 1996, giving her the chance to experience the role from both sides.
“Mollie is very popular with both staff and residents alike,” said Buildings & Contract Officer, Lorna Bond. “She’s reliable, adaptable and her friendly smile has helped many a new resident feel welcome. A tireless worker she does an excellent job, yet still manages to provide a sympathetic ear or kindly word for residents. The fact that Mollie is now retiring has caused sadness amongst residents because she has always been there, a consistent and happy part of their lives. Nevertheless, everyone wishes her a long and enjoyable retirement.”
Although Mollie retires from the Council on Friday, 24 August, she will receive her long service medallion and gift from the Mayor, Councillor Gill, on Friday 17 August at 11.30am. The gift she has chosen is a Portable Digital TV and combined DVD and Video recorder.
To mark her retirement Mollie is holding a family party to which she and husband Bob hope to welcome more than 32 family members. Then in September the pair will be heading off for a much earned two week vacation at a friends farm in Wales.
In her spare time Mollie loves singing and has been a member of St Vincent Singers for 30 years. But it is singing with her local choir in Fareham that has taken her to foreign parts, in fact all the way to Pulheim in Germany, where she regularly sings as part of Fareham’s Twinning delegation.
As residents celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Fortune House this year, I’m sure they will raise a glass to Mollie Aldred who has served them well during the past quarter of a century and who, I’m sure, will be welcomed back for a chat at any time!
