Last dinner is served
251,000 school dinners dished up by master baker
CONGEALING mince and tatties is never a nice experience but generations of Kintyre school children served by a creative cook escaped that fate.
After 31 years, school dinner lady and master baker Sheena Ramsay has stirred her last soup and hung her pinny up for final time at Carradale Primary School.
At a special celebration of her 31 years of service, the catering manager – or Mrs Ramsay as she is better known in the village – was given a special signed apron as a leaving present from the pupils.
Mrs Ramsay worked for a year as a cleaner at the school before turning up the heat in the kitchen.
She has not had an assistant for 20 years and said: ‘It’s difficult to leave a job after such a long time. I’ve seen five head teachers come and go and the big move to the new school.
‘I leave with a heavy heart. It’s not an easy decision but I think the time has come to pass on the role.’
Mrs Ramsay, renowned for her baking, was also presented with an Argyll and Bute long service silver quaich by her friend and fellow cook, Elizabeth McCallum, from Campbeltown Grammar School, for her sterling efforts at the school.
Carradale’s head, Laurene McIntosh, first encountered Mrs Ramsay when she was a pupil and paid thanks on behalf of the village for the ‘brilliant’ job she has done.
Laurene said: ‘Mrs Ramsay has seen two generations of some families come through the school, and she’s seen some come back to work at the school like myself.
‘It really is the end of an era. When I started teaching here she was the only member of staff from my time still here, which made it easier for me having that familiarity with someone.
‘She really did go above and beyond to make sure the children were well fed and happy.’
At the celebration, Sheena was serenaded by pupils who sang a school dinners song in her honour. In a letter to her, one of the pupils said: ‘You are the best cook in the world and we will all be so upset when you leave.’
She was also presented with gifts and flowers from parents and staff, one of whom said: ‘Thanks for giving them at least one good meal a day!’
Mrs Ramsay revealed that even though she had two daughters at the school when she started, neither ever received any preferential treatment. She also thinks that children are luckier with school dinners now as they get a choice of meals, whereas when she started there was only ever one option.
Sheena plans to use her newfound freedom in Clydebank, two days a week, with her new granddaughter.