Final chapter in the working life of the woman who looked after Huntly's magnificent library
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A WOMAN who has been a key part of the fabric of the Brander Library in Huntly booked out for a final time at the end of last week.
Hilda Fowler who has kept the entire building spick and span for the past 31 years has taken early retirement.
Users of the building - Huntly Development Trust and Deveron Projects and community representatives joined the library team to give Hilda a warm send off last Friday morning.
In her 20 hours each week, Hilda was responsible for every nook and cranny in the building but said that while she would miss the company of all the users she had no regrets about leaving behind the challenge of keeping the entrance hall and stairs clear of slush and grit trailed in on people's feet during wintry weather.
As well as keeping the building clean, Hilda was as much as a source of local knowledge as some of the texts and library staff always knew they could ask Hilda if they wanted to know something.
One of the team, Sarah Morbey said: "Hilda has just been part of the building. I always knew if I needed to find out about something, I could ask Hilda. She always gave a friendly welcome to everyone as well as keeping the building sparkling."
When Hilda took up the post after a spell as relief cleaner, she worked with Sheila Rough, Winnie Joss and Jenny Campbell.
Toni Collins who was recently appointed as librarian said: "Hilda made me feel so welcome, I really don't want her to go."
Hilda, who has not enjoyed good health recently said: "The long closure during Covid has prepared me for what retirement will be like but I will miss all the different folk who work here and the characters who come in through the door."
In her retirement, she is looking forward to spending more time with her grand daughter, Seren, who is four, husband Ian, who does not enjoy good health, her daughter Kerry and son Craig.
