Life in Forres: School cook Frances hangs up her apron after 48 years
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School cook Frances Thomson has hung up her apron today after almost five decades of working at Anderson's Primary School in Forres.
During her 48 years of service to the school, Frances has served up millions of meals to countless hungry youngsters.
The 66-year-old, who lives in Dallas, said: "I’m probably meeting the grandchildren now of the pupils who were here when I first started.
"So much has changed in terms of the range of choices offered on the menu and the nutritional standards we work to which limit the amount of red meat for example.
"The children love things like pizza, hot dogs and sausage rolls – they are always a big favourite."
Frances started working part-time as an assistant cook at the school while gaining her catering qualifications at college.
Her team at Anderson’s currently prepare around 230 meals at day for the school's pupils as well as those at the neighbouring Dallas and Logie primaries.
To mark the end of term today Frances was presented with retirement gifts by her colleagues in the council’s catering service.
She says she's now looking forward to spending her free time enjoying holidays and catching up with family and friends.
Frances added: "It will be lovely not to have to watch the clock all the time."
Paying tribute to her longest serving member of staff, Elaine McRae, the council's head of catering, said: "Frances is an exceptional unit supervisor and fantastic cook.
"She is a total font of knowledge in the kitchen and has been a much respected and valued member of the team. We will miss her greatly and wish her a long, happy and healthy retirement."
