Aunty Barb hangs up her apron (From Droitwich Advertiser)

Aunty Barb hangs up her apron

6:30pm Thursday 2nd July 2009

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AFTER 18 years cooking for the city firefighters ‘Aunty Barb’ is hanging up her apron.

Barbara Clarke first arrived in the kitchens at Worcester Fire Station in 1990 after having previously cooked for youngsters at two schools in the city.

But last Thursday, Mrs Clarke cooked her last lunch for firefighters – many of whom she has seen grow up.

She is swapping the hob and stove for a more relaxing life with her eye set on faraway holiday destinations around the world with husband Colin. Mrs Clarke, of Chelmsford Drive, Nunnery Wood, said: “It’s sad but I am going to enjoy the freedom of dong what I want when I want. I won’t miss having to clean up the mess in the kitchen.”

Mrs Clarke has cooked for about 4,680 lunch sittings in the time she has been working at the Copenhagen Street fire station, not including the other chores that come with maintaining a kitchen.

“They are a great bunch of blokes,” she said. “I’ve been here in the good times and bad. I’m going to miss them but it’s time to move on.”

Dave Hunt, firefighter of 14 years, said: “She hears it all and never complains and always tidies up after us when she gets on shift.”

Graham McKechnie, blue watch manager, said: “She’s pretty much a mum to most of us. It doesn’t matter when we get a call, there’s always something waiting for us in the fridge or on the table when we get back. She puts up with all of us. We wish her a happy retirement.”

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