David Scott joined the team at a West Cumbrian college for six months in 1981. Forty years later, he will be saying goodbye for the final time as he retires from his role as estate co-ordinator at Lakes College.
David has been part of the facilities team since he was 21.
He began his career at Workington Grammar School, moved on to being head caretaker at Lillyhall School, while living in the bungalow that was on site – now Poppies Child Care, for 15 years.
He said: “I quite liked living in the bungalow, I had a big field to walk my dog on, before this site was built.”
Moving between the three college buildings before moving into the Lillyhall campus in 2001, David saw the original Workington Grammar School get knocked down, as well as the Whitehaven campus be demolished to make way for McDonalds.
David said: “Lillyhall School got knocked down as well and we built the new site on it. I’ve seen a lot of buildings getting knocked down and changed about from site to site.”
It is not only buildings that David has seen change, with 10 principals in 40 years between the old West Cumbria College and Lakes College.
Current principal Chris Nattress said: “After almost 41 years at Lakes College, David will be a huge miss to both staff and students.
“Everyone here at college would like to thank him for such a long period of service and all he has done to help and support us.
“We all wish David the very best for the future and hope he has a relaxing and enjoyable retirement.”
Andrew Sisson, estates supervisor said: “After 40 years’ service David has decided to take early retirement. David will be a big miss to the team and around the college, I’ve worked with him for 27 years.
“We all wish him well for the future.”
Mel Musgrave, David’s colleague who is also retiring after 10 years, said: “We’re a close team, it’s going to be strange, it’s going to be a big change – there’s 50 years between us and everyone’s used to seeing us around.”
David said he would miss his colleagues the most, but after 40 years in the same job David thinks this is the right time to go – after all, it was only supposed to be a temporary position.
