Celebrating 50 Years with the Society – Jean White

Our Colleagues are what make Midcounties such a great place to work and build a long and successful career with. Well, today we recognise a very special colleague who has spent an incredible half a century with our Society.

Jean White, located at our Steventon Post Office celebrates this fantastic achievement and her Area Manager, Sue Spicer provided us with some insight into Jean’s wonderful career so far.

Have a read below and let Jean know your comments!

Q1.  Tell us about Jean’s experience of working over the last 50 years?

Jean first started at the old Steventon food store which was around the corner from its present location in 1962 but left in 1965 to have a family and returned again in 1970.  She took over as the manager of the Post Office which she did until a few years ago when she decided that she wanted to continue serving the community of Steventon in the Post Office but without the responsibility of being the Post Office manager. 

[Left to right, Jean and a colleague before Jean left for maternity so likely mid-1960's, the second image from the mid-1970's]

Jean has lived in Steventon since 1962 and has seen a lot of the current customers and colleagues grow up from babies to adults with some of them now working in the food store.  Jean is loved by all the customers and colleagues and members in Steventon Post Office and we hope she continues for many years to come.

Q2. What different roles has Jean undergone and enjoyed the most?

Although Jean has worked in the same store for 50 years she has actually worked for several Societies from Oxford Co-op to Oxford and Swindon Co-op to Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op, finally coming to Midcounties Co-op a few years ago.

[Left to right, taken in the early 1980's, the second image is Jean on the doors of the old store when it closed in 2004]

I asked her what her highlight was over the last 50 years she said it was receiving her 50 years’ service award! Jean is not just an asset to the Post Office customers in Steventon but to our Society as a whole with her outstanding 50 years of loyal service.

Q3. What top tip does Jean recommend to fellow colleagues on reaching different milestones within the Society?

Loving what you do and ensuring that all customers and members are treated the same and always with a smile.

[Jean celebrating 50 years of service with her fellow colleagues at Steventon Post Office]