Garstang team says goodbye to '˜invaluable' colleague

Lesley Nichols, who has been the face of the Yorkshire Building Society in Garstang for almost 20 years, is to retire this month.

Lesley is looking forward to taking time for hobbies, travel and visiting friends, having worked there since 1999.

The Garstang branch of YBS is an ‘agency’ office, based within Vincents Solicitors, and Lesley is part of the Vincents team. She is a familiar face in the town having also worked for seven years at Booths supermarket and almost a decade as a teaching assistant at Nateby School prior to that.

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Lesley travelled the world with husband Mike, during his time with the merchant navy, and hopes for some more foreign adventures during her retirement, in particular visiting her penpal of 52 years in the USA.

She said: “I will certainly miss the camaraderie of the office and the lovely customers I have dealt with over the years, but I am really looking forward to all the new things I’ll have the chance to do. We’re definitely planning a holiday or two, and indulging in some of the hobbies which I never seem to get around to.

“I have loved my job, in particular getting to know my customers. Many have become friends and I’ve enjoyed seeing their children grow and often become customers themselves.

“When I left Nateby School I was photographed with a child who today is a teacher himself; that does make me feel a little bit old and I think it’s now time to join my husband who has been retired for three years and is having far too much fun on his own.”

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Lesley is set to leave on April 27 and Vincents is in the process of recruiting a replacement who will take over immediately, with no disruption to client or YBS Agency services.

Lisa Lodge, head of the Vincents Garstang branch, said: “It’s so sad to be saying goodbye to Lesley, she has been such an invaluable member of our team and has provided an incredible service to the people of this town for such a long time. She has been tireless in her commitment to her job and deserves a well-earned break before she starts a new career as an amateur globetrotter and gardener.

“Lesley, along with Mike, have provided incredible support for our community activities and have always thrown themselves head first into whatever challenges have been set. They were always the first to volunteer for our stall for the Garstang show and bake cakes for events, such as the Queen’s birthday party we held for the town’s elderly.

“Lesley will be dearly missed but, as expected, she’s already volunteered to help with all our upcoming events so it won’t be too long before we get to see her again.”