A SALISBURY school caretaker is retiring after 31 years and says his time in the job has been “tremendous”.

Cyril Nelhams officially retires on August 31. The 66-year-old started as caretaker at St Mark’s CoE Junior School in 1991.

He had previously been involved in the construction of the Wyndham Park School building and proved popular with the children showing them around the site and was subsequently offered the post at St Mark’s School.

Over the years he later took on the caretaker role across the other school sites at Exeter House and Wyndham Park Infants School and St Mark’s Pre-School.

Cyril said: “It has been a really good job and I will miss them tremendously. It’s such a lovely place to work. Hopefully, I will go back and seen them now and again.

“The children, teachers, cleaners, cooking staff all help each other I will miss that. I have enjoyed my job and the people that I have worked with. It has been tremendous.”

“I’ve seen the children grow up there and come back with their children," he added. 

He has also seen the school site develop and grow during his career as well as seeing a former St Mark's pupil become head teacher at Exeter House School. 

Speaking about what he has enjoyed most about his time working at the schools, he said: “Meeting new people and the camaraderie we had together in all the schools. It’s like a family.

“It’s a job for life. When you’re a teacher, caretaker, even a cleaner you stay and love being a part of it. The children that have grown up when you see them in town they remember you and say hello.”

His decision to retire was due to him reaching retirement age and that he had been in the caretaker role for 31 years. However, around eight weeks before retiring he suffered a heart attack and had stents fitted but says he is “feeling okay” now.

He has been busy with the move from the caretaker’s cottage and will be doing work on his new home but is planning a holiday to Malta soon.

Cyril also says he’s looking forward to not having the early starts and late finishes at work anymore.

He added: “It was a good job. To stay in a job for 30 odd years it has got to be good.”

 

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