I AM dedicating this letter to the work of Christine Clark or, as we all had to call her, 'Mrs Clark'.
Mrs Clark has for the past 22 years been a dinnerlady at Oriel School in Hanworth but at the end of this month she will be walking out of the playground for the last time.
She first started as a dinnerlady in 1985 and, come rain or shine, she could always be found either in the playground putting a caring arm around a tearful boy or girl, or in the medical room where her smile alone could heal the most painful cuts and scratches.
Both myself and my brother, Jason, have been lucky enough to have our mum as our dinnerlady and I have to admit there was always something quite comforting about that.
It is a tribute to Mrs Clark that she also works as a coach escort, taking disabled children to school in London.
She starts work at 7am, does not get home until 11.30am, and then makes the short walk to Oriel School ready for her playground duty at noon.
After this, she is back on the coach to pick up the children she dropped off earlier in the day.
All this is done with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.
There are many people in Hanworth who know Mrs Clark and I'm sure that they would see this as the end of an era.
Oriel School lunchtimes will never be the same again, but all those who have been pupils at Oriel in the last 22 years I'm sure will join me in thanking Mum for her loyal service.
BRIAN CLARK Staines Road, Bedfont.
