STAFF at The Bowes Museum have bid farewell to a much loved colleague who has helped keep the 19th century building pristine for the past four decades.
Pat Samson has been employed at the museum as an attendant for 41 years. The 71-year-old has worked as part of a team responsible for the general cleaning of the museum, as well as cleaning its collections. Her duty has also included the annual painstaking task of spending three days cleaning the chandelier in the entrance hall.
Mrs Samson is now looking forward to her retirement.
She said: “I have absolutely loved my job all these years.
“My best memories of working here are the people and the visitors you meet. I just love looking after the museum for visitors and helping to look after the collections. I have worked with some fantastic people over the years.
“I just love the museum. It is not just a job to me. I have seen and been involved with some lovely exhibitions over the years and got paid doing it. What more do you want? It has been a beautiful place to work.”
Mrs Samson was presented with flowers and gifts from staff at the museumlast month. She was thanked by her colleagues for the time and effort she has given to the museum.
The curator of fashion and textiles, Joanna Hashagen, said: “I can’t imagine working here without Pat. She has always been there for me.
“She is glamorous and she is always smiling. She is always willing to do anything. As a curator, when things got a bit hectic, you could always rely on Pat.
“She will be a big miss to the museum.”
Front of house manager Peter Costello said: “Pat brings a lot of experience to the job. We do a lot of conservation cleaning and she is one of the most qualified on our team. She will be missed.”
Although she will miss her duty at the museum, Mrs Samson has lots of plans in the pipeline to keep occupied. She is planning a trip to Devon, with her husband Andy, to visit family as well as a trip to Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Mrs Samson added: “I will miss working here massively. I have been here 41 years but I have worked since I was 15.
“The idea of not going out to work is a bit scary but I am looking forward to my retirement.
“Now is the right time for me. I have plenty to keep me busy.”
