Dunfermline ‘institution’ Rena retires after 25 years at WHSmith!

A WELL-KNOWN face on the streets of Dunfermline has clocked out for the last time after 25 years behind the till at WH Smith.

Rena Thornton, 64, took up the post when her daughter, Tracy, was nearly killed in a car accident on Aberdour Road at just 16.

Having worked nights at the ex-servicemen’s club in Rosyth previously, the mum felt she needed to move to day shifts to help care for her eldest child.

Since then, her husband,

Bobby Thornton, says that Rena has become an “institution” in the city.

“She has always worked for the public, I think most people in Dunfermline know her,” he explained.

“She is just one of those people – people will recognise her and think, ‘I know you from somewhere’.”

He says that, while she has loved the role, early retirement was an easy decision and that after 25 years, Rena felt it was “time” to move on.

“When she started there were about 30 staff members,” he added. “Now there are about six, the staff who are there are just doing more and more.”

The mum had taken up the position to support her family, Tracy, who is now 45, her middle daughter Amanda, 40, and her youngest, Siobhan, 31.

Now Bobby says that she will continue to do so in retirement, helping with their three granddaughters, as well as enjoying holidays together.

It won’t all be relaxing, however, with the 66-year-old saying that his wife will also be giving him a hand at the Abbeyview babies and toddlers group which he currently runs himself.

“She is definitely looking forward to it and now she can help me!” he said. “She has helped out when she can but I am always looking for someone to help – last week there were more than 80 people there between babies and toddlers!”

Rena was surprised with flowers and gifts for her last day on Friday, and sold her last copy of the Press, which she has been selling to customers throughout her career.