IT’S the end of an era at Aloeric Primary School with the announcement that caretaker Jeff Nettleton is retiring after 40 years of service at the school.
“I feel that the time has come to retire after 40 years,” said Jeff. “I’ve had a long and happy relationship with the school – never a cross word said.
“We’ve raised a family here, and we have grandchildren that come here – the time has gone by so quickly, you wouldn’t know it had been 40 years!”
Jeff and his wife Marilyn have lived in the bungalow in the grounds of the school since 1978 and are familiar faces to the thousands of Melksham residents who have passed through the gates of the school over the years. Jeff said, “It’s a nice feeling after all these years to be recognised and well thought of in the town by people that used to come here.”
Jeff and Marilyn will be leaving the bungalow at the school in the coming weeks, but plan to stay in the town. Looking ahead, Jeff said, “I want to spend a lot of time with Marilyn. So more holidays, days out together. Relax and enjoy ourselves and not worry about those 5am starts, which will take a while to get used to!”
