University Reception Staff to Retire After Nearly 60 Years’ Service Between Them

Two reception staff at the University of Worcester will be retiring after providing a friendly face to visitors for nearly 60 years between them.

Chris Neumeier retires next week after 27 years, while Val Williams will be retiring after 28–and-a-half years in early April.

Chris will be spending time with her family, including her four grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and volunteering.

“It’s quite daunting to leave,” she said.  “It’s a big wrench and I will really miss it.  Being on reception, I have always enjoyed meeting people and I suppose the social side of it.  It’s a lovely place to work.

“One of the things I like most is just all the young people.  When they’re not there I really miss them.”

Val told how, despite having lived locally all her life, as she walked up the drive for her job interview it was the first time she had set foot on the University grounds.

“It’s been great, I have really enjoyed it,” said Val.  “I have got to know lots of people and there’s always lots of things going on.

“I have always got a smile for everybody because that’s just part of the job.  A smile and a nice word really helps me and anybody who comes to the counter, I think. I have had quite a few people come for interviews and they have got the job and they have thanked me for being so pleasant to them and making them feel so relaxed.”

Val, a grandmother-of-four and great grandmother-of-one is looking forward to taking it easy and having more time to be with her family and two dogs.

Events planned to mark Chris and Val’s retirement will be rescheduled for a future date.