She may not have been with Tameside Council since day one but, when Dorothy Hollyhead retires, she'll be closing the book on a career that goes all the way back to the year the authority was founded.

Dorothy was 18 and had just finished her A-levels when she was taken on by the libraries and arts service in October 1974, only six months after metropolitan boroughs had come into existence.

Most of the ensuing 47 years has been spent in bibliographical services, which Dorothy joined in the late 1980s. However, at first she worked in Droylsden, sometimes at the main library but also at old branch libraries such as Lewis Road.

She recalled: “The main library was showing its age even then, so I’m a little envious of the people moving into the new, modern space at Tony Downes House.

“The branch libraries were an experience as I was on my own there as a teenage girl. I finished up by getting my dad to sit in the corner reading a book.”

Asked about the biggest change she has encountered, Dorothy had no hesitation in saying the introduction of computers and online services which have removed many tasks that once had to be done manually.

She’s enjoyed her marathon stint with Tameside and will be sad to say goodbye to friends. However, she won’t miss the winter commute from Huddersfield, where she has lived since marrying Graeme in 1982.

Her plans for retirement are simply to take it easy, although she intends to take a cruise to the Norwegian fjords when conditions permit. Dorothy also wants to spend more time with daughter Megan and grand-daughter Lily.

Tameside Council chief executive Steven Pleasant said: “It’s incredible to think Dorothy has been with Tameside Council for almost its entire history. She will have seen so many changes – not least in terms of personnel and all my predecessors as chief executive.

“On behalf of the entire authority I would like to thank her for her long and dedicated service. I wish her well in her retirement and hope it’s not too long before she can take that well-earned holiday she’s looking forward to.”

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