A WOMAN who dedicated 52 years of her life at a Bolton company has retired.

Barbara Taylor joined Ryans chartered accountants as an office junior at the age of 16 in 1968.

And on Friday she completed her final shift with the firm after clocking up more than 96,000 hours of service.

Barbara heard about the office junior role from her neighbour, Val, who was working at Ryans.

When discussing Barbara’s plans after leaving school, Val told her about the vacancy at Edward Ryan & Co, the former name of Ryans.

The Bolton News:

Barbara with her former colleagues at Ryans

And Barbara revealed the catalyst for her retiring is Val, who she often goes on holiday with and suggested that they go on a cruise.

Barbara realised the cruise would take up most of her annual leave.

Barbara said: “I thought I better retire now so I can have all the holidays I want.

“I’ve beaten cancer, I’m on my own and I think I’m ready to have a bit of Barbara time!

“I’ve recently lost two stone and I’m at my healthiest so I want to do what I want before all the aches and pains come, as well as spending a bit more time with the grandchildren and attending school plays.”

Most recently Barbara was working as a PA to the company directors and manned the reception desk.

She was affectionately nicknamed “The Rottweiler” for her prowess in collecting and chasing up money.

After starting work early, Barbara is a huge advocate of apprenticeships as a way for young people to get their foot in the door of accounting.

She said: “Young people feel like they can’t enter a company like this because they aren’t as academically talented, but so long as they have common sense and are willing to learn the job from the bottom up, they should be given the opportunity.”

Barbara will be missed greatly by her colleagues.

Director Martin Smith said: “Barbara was the office mum, she helped everyone settle in, she gave the absolute warmest of welcomes to everyone who walked in, and wasn’t afraid to tell us all off! She knew everyone and everything that went on in the office.

“Barbara is irreplaceable and will be dearly missed by everyone at Ryans.”