People
Irreplaceable A tearful but joyful Zoom was held on the 30th of July to say goodbye to Sheila Bateman on her last day in the Department before retirement.
Our computer screens were much too small to display the faces of all the staff, past and present, who popped in over the course of two hours to express their appreciation for all Sheila has done.
One of the many highlights of the morning included the “tearoom group” of custodial staff supervised by Sheila, who sent their ‘masked greetings’ (all suitably attired in PPE) from the Cybercafé. “Thank you so much for being a wonderful boss,” said Cleaner Josh Jones. Another staff member (hidden Head of Department James Keeler kicked off by behind her mask) said: “We think of you as a “I have thoroughly thanking Sheila for her hard work and support enjoyed my 23 years in parent – sorry for being naughty sometimes.” over the years, with former Heads John Pyle, the Department; there To which Sheila shot back: “That’s okay, every Daan Frenkel, Bill Jones and Jeremy Sanders has never been a dull mother has naughty children adding their own memories and messages moment. It has been an sometimes.” of thanks. Noting the restrictions of meeting honour and a privilege remotely, James added: “Many, many thanks for Marita Walsh recalled amusing incidents to work with you.” everything Sheila, and let’s hope that we can they had shared, concluding: “We had a few Sheila Bateman do all of this in person before too long.” adventures, didn’t we Sheila?” at which point Sheila admitted: “I do have a rottweiler side, but not very One unexpected benefit of Zoom was that former staff often.” members were able to join in from far afield: for example, former Research Lab Technician Tim Layt and Admissions Many people noted how Sheila had been an important Secretary Kirsten Scholefield connected from New part of their lives. As Secretary Jacqui Worster pointed out: Zealand to say their goodbyes. Closer to home, past You’ve always been there for the past 18 years. You’ve seen Reception team members Helen Johnson, Harriet my children grow up and I’ve seen your children and now Kerridge and Clare Rutterford (joining by video later) grandchildren – I can’t imagine the Department without you.” spoke of their affection for working with Sheila, and Researcher Lekan Popoola recalled how he arrived as a former Safety Technician Stephen Sear also joined in. newcomer to the UK ten years ago and immediately felt welcomed by Sheila, who helped him learn the ropes. “I
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