LUNCH times will never be the same for Margaret Brooks of Okehampton because from now on she will not be spending them with hundreds of children!
Mrs Brooks retired on Friday from her job as dinner lady at Okehampton Primary School after 25 years and her words were: 'I will miss it terribly.'
She said she had thoroughly enjoyed her time at the school but there were lots of things she and her husband wanted to do now he had retired.
'It has been lovely to see these tiny timid little people grow into children with a mind of their own,' she said.
'A lot of the pupils have now got children themselves — it seems as though I have been at the school forever.'
Mrs Brooks' aunt worked as a dinner lady but when she went on to the grammar school, her niece took over.
'I remember the school was pretty desperate at the time, she said. 'I started the day after my auntie left and I enjoyed it so much I stayed. It's been a real pleasure.
'I will really notice the difference in September when the kids go back to school, I shall look at the clock at home at 12 noon and think what am I doing here?'
Headteacher of Okehampton Primary Brian Cunningham said he had appreciated Mrs Brooks care and concern for the children's well being over the years.
'She has always put the children first and they have always felt secure and cared for — it has been sad saying goodbye to her but she is now starting a new chapter in her life,' he said.