STAFF, pupils and parents at Hatherden CE Primary School bid a sad farewell to a familiar face that has been at the school for over 40 years.

Administration officer, Lyn Hancocks, has retired after a long association with the school that started in 1974.

When she first started working at the school, she was a caretaker and cleaner.

She then took up the role of administration officer in November 1979.

During her time in the post, she has seen many changes to the school.

These include the building of the new classrooms for Key Stage 1 in 1996, to the addition of the hall and Key Stage 2 classrooms in 2006.

She has also had a personal attachment to the school as both Lyn’s daughters attended Hatherdean.

When Lyn’s husband Maurice passed away in 2003, she sponsored dove sculptures in the school’s hall in his memory.

Lyn has supported nine head teachers during her career.

It has not just been the school that Lyn has played a key part in, as she has proactively participated in village life.

Her musical talents have been put to good use by being the organist in church.

She has also been editor in chief of the Village News magazine for several years.

Lyn also ran the Hazeldown Triangle Workshop in the 1980’s, with her friend Sheila Thomas.

The workshop was well known for putting on pantomimes and concerts.

Chair of governors, Jane Stewart, said Lyn will be missed by the school community, and paid a glowing tribute to the work she had done for pupils and staff over the years She said: “She will be sadly missed by us all.

“I first met Lyn on the day I took my paperwork in to school when I volunteered to be a governor.

“Chatting about my husband and his family, who came from Hatherden, Lyn was able to show me my mother in law’s registration at the school, and her two sisters, when she was five in one of the old ledgers.”

Mrs Stewart added: “On behalf of the children, past and present, from Hatherden C of E Primary School, parents, staff and governors, I’d like to thank Lyn for her service to the school.”

Lyn said she would miss the children and their parents most of all, but added she was sure to enjoy her new found freedom.

“I’m looking forward to doing what I fancy, when I fancy,” she said.

She added. “Especially doing my Christmas shopping before