NOW that retirement is not very far away, I would like to thank my patients for allowing me to look after their eyes over the last 27 and a half years.
Since my father started work by himself in 1951, for some patients this is over 50 years of care from just the two of us. I much appreciate the loyalty that these patients have shown.
I am sorry that none of my daughters have been able or inclined to continue this family ?tradition?. Equally, I am sorry that I have been unable to find an optometrist who wishes to buy the practice, so continuity will be lost.
As to the future, I intend to continue with some of the more clinical aspects of the work, such as diabetic screening and cataract referrals under the shared-care schemes with Plymouth Royal Eye Infirmary. I also intend to look after my contact lens patients as long as they wish me to, although I do not intend to do much, if any, spectacle dispensing.
I am selling the property at 9 Plymouth Road to dentist Andrew Brown and he is converting the ground floor for use as his dental surgery. He hopes to move from Brook Street next March. He is letting rooms on the upper floors, and I hope to be able to use one of these for a half-day per week.
Even that may not be every week, since my wife and I hope to take the opportunity for more travel. I also hope to continue with some of my domiciliary work, particularly for those patients who are already ?on my books?.
I have enjoyed the opportunity of serving Tavistock in this way. We are not moving away from this lovely town, and my wife and I hope to be able to continue helping the town through the Rotary Club and Guiding, among other aspects of service.
Edwin C Clark
9 Plymouth Road
Tavistock