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Home > News > Ashley celebrates 40 years at Stagenhoe
Ashley’s colleagues held a surprise celebration for her, with a wonderful cake, flowers, and gifts.
We were delighted to talk with Ashley about her 40 years at Stagenhoe. Ashley told us how things have changed since she began working there in the 1980s, and what she has found the most rewarding over the years.
How does it feel to celebrate four decades working at Stagenhoe?
Unbelievable! It doesn’t feel like 40 years – but I appreciate it is a long time and an achievement.
What made you want to work at Stagenhoe?
Having completed a pre-nursing course at college, I had an interest in healthcare. I also enjoyed doing accounts. So, when the job appeared in our local paper for a payroll clerk, I felt I would have the best of both worlds should my application be successful. I was very fortunate to be invited for an interview and offered the position – the rest is history.
Can you tell us a little bit about what it was like then?
Working for a charity in the 80s meant the majority of items were donated. My first desk was a wallpaper table that bowed in the middle when the typewriter was placed on it. The typewriter, which had seen better days, was another donated item. The keys used to punch holes in the letterheaded paper due to its aging years, making the paper look perforated – you could see daylight through the holes in the paper! It was a luxury when we were bought an electric typewriter to replace the antiquated manual typewriter!
The building itself has undergone changes, the main house has had two large extensions added.
The home used to have log fires that were always welcoming on the ground floor. The maintenance team would start early to get the fires going. Should you pass during the day and see the fires burning down, you’d throw some logs on.
The gardens were beautiful, maintained by the gardening staff – the borders, and abundance of colour with flowers. The gardeners worked hard to maintain the walled vegetable garden growing vegetables for the kitchen. Any surplus would be sold to the staff on a Friday afternoon.
The gardeners also had animals which were kept in the grounds – pot-bellied pigs that enjoyed a walk round the garden at lunchtime, a goat, numerous chickens, ducks and golden pheasants, and a pen with lop eared rabbits in, along with a three-legged rescue cat called Stumpy!
The drive from the main road to the house used to be a dirt track that was defined by the wheels of the farmer’s tractor. You had to drive with caution staying in the tracks! It was a luxury when we had funds approved to have the drive tarmacked – no more getting stuck in the mud!
Stagenhoe is in the flight path of Luton airport. This proved beneficial when my children were small at primary school, as my partner worked for an airline. If the plane was delayed and didn’t fly over at the scheduled time, I would need to dash home to collect them from school.
Do you have any favourite memories from over the years?
All my memories have been good! I have had the privilege to work with amazing colleagues over the years, and getting to know our residents and their families is always a pleasure.
Meeting The Queen Mother in 1988 was a very memorable event. All staff had to ensure they were smart. Nurses and carers had to have their uniforms pressed, hats fixed with grips, and belts worn. Staff were lined up the stairs as The Queen Mother and Lady Sue Ryder made their grand entrance, and it was a privilege to meet both ladies.
What are your proudest accomplishments from your time working here so far?
I was really proud to pass my six-month probation many years ago – and now reaching 40 years of continuous employment.
Learning to use a computer, completing night school courses in word processing and Excel!!
I enjoy all elements of my role; I am proud of the teamwork we have at Stagenhoe.
What do you find most rewarding?
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing our residents. I really enjoy covering reception and listening to the residents enjoying therapy sessions with the recreational team and their interactions, to hear them laughing and having fun, their faces lighting up when they see the therapy dogs visit. It is an honour to come into their home and be part of the Stagenhoe family.
On the day of Ashley’s celebration, Ivan Molina, Service Manager at Stagenhoe, said: “Over four decades, Ashley has witnessed countless changes and has been a huge part of Stagenhoe’s story.
“Thank you, Ashley, for 40 fantastic years of dedication and laughter!”
