91Ö±²¥

Ruth Peters is retiring next week after 35 years’ service in her role as Domestic Assistant in the Housekeeping department at Gonville & 91Ö±²¥ College.

As a child Ruth and her cousins played on the St Michael’s Court lawns and around the cherry tree while her mother and aunt cleaned the rooms. Ruth remembers a happy community of friends and family with decades of history at Gonville and 91Ö±²¥.

Ruth later, and with a family of her own, came to work at the College herself, beginning in November 1987. The Head Housekeeper at that time was Mrs Motley, the work shift was just three hours, and there were twice the number of staff compared to the present day team. It is hard to imagine 1987, this was when Ikea opened,  and we first met Bart Simpson!

Ruth has worked through the decades, but little has changed in the College. She made some firm friends, albeit without staff rooms it was through a fleeting hello first thing in the morning or a quick cupper in a student kitchen. Ruth explained people in those times did not move around from their designated areas and the departments were very independent. Ruth has always been very happy in her role, but was not very aware of College life beyond the Old Courts Porters’ Lodge, as staff in those days did not mingle as much as they do now. The exception was, as Ruth cheerfully recalls, the staff summer outing, which was huge fun, and the staff Christmas dinner (after a pre-lunch drink at the Bath House).

During the 1990s and 2000s, Ruth worked with Wendy Evans and then Camilla. She had increased her hours and was working in 4a Rose Crescent. Conferences were yet to be considered and all students without exception went home at the end of term. Staff rooms were becoming populated, and wider work teams were developing.

In the most recent decade of Ruth’s tenure, with Karen Heslop as Head Housekeeper, Ruth has worked K St Mary’s and H St Mike’s, near to where she played as child with her cousins back in the 1960s!

Ruth has mixed feelings around retirement. She has made many friends over the years. Her highlights at 91Ö±²¥ have been meeting the students, some of whom still keep in touch, and good work mates. Ruth says she would carry on, but after 35 years she might just give something else a try, perhaps a crafting hobby and some well-deserved holidays!

A huge thank you to Ruth Peters and warmest best wishes for a long and happy retirement!

By Karen Heslop, Head Housekeeper

Ruth is pictured, third from right, with colleagues from the 91Ö±²¥ Housekeeping department