Celebrations as Arun staff mark years in posts

Christine Bardwell, Sheila Barnett, Glenda Diggance and Steve Lane have worked for the authority since it was formed in April 1974.

Three of the four ‘Arun Originals’, received a gift from the council’s chairman, Dennis Wilde, at a meeting of the full council last Wednesday.

They have all attended a celebratory lunch this week with the council’s corporate management team.

Cllr Wilde said: “I’d like to thank Christine, Sheila, Glenda and Steve for their loyalty and dedication and for all their hard work from the formation of this council in 1974 to the present time.”

Head of local land charges Christine joined the district council from the former Worthing Rural District Council and met her husband at Arun.

Electoral services assistant Sheila worked as a shorthand typist for Bognor Regis Urban District Council before Arun. She has worked in its elections team since 1979 and helped in eight parliamentary elections with four returning officers.

Steve, Arun’s chief accountant since 1980, also worked for Bognor Regis UDC. He operated Arun’s first desktop computer that year.

Administrative assistant Glenda works in Arun’s environmental health section and helped it to win a customer service award.