Celebrating her 15-year anniversary at Winn Group, Lorraine Tweddell is certainly entitled to raise of glass of fizz in celebration.

In a show of her trademark sense of humour, Lorraine celebrated reaching a notable milestone with a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of bubbly, and shopping vouchers, by declaring herself feeling “old” after going beyond the decade-and-a-half marker.

She said: “To be honest I don’t know where the years have gone. They say time passes quickly when you’re having fun so I’m obviously a happy bunny!

“I remember my first day and I was really nervous. I had passed Winns every day on the bus and when I knew I was going to be made redundant from Norwich Union, after 26 years, I said to myself ‘I’m going to work there.’

“I applied and, bingo, got the job. I finished Norwich Union on the Friday and started Winns on the Tuesday.” 

A Legal Secretary, who had worked one-to-one with Solicitors previously, she is currently part of the Central Administration Team and still very much enjoying her work life.

She added: “The growth of the company has been incredible. I think there were only around 80 staff when I started and look at us now!  

“But, most of all, it has to be the people you work with that keeps you in one place for so long, I’ve had both sad times and happy times but wouldn’t change a thing, it’s only made me stronger.

“There was a time in my life just over four years ago when my dad was really ill for the last six months of his life and Winns were absolutely brilliant in the way they supported me and my dad. I will be forever grateful.”

Keen to thank her line manager Susan Dodgson for all her help and support over the years, Lorraine is looking forward to the future and more good times.

She concluded: “I enjoy the variation of work. Nearly every day is different in the way we now work and I am still learning along the way, even at my age.

“The ladies I work with are brilliant and we all help and encourage each other. I can honestly say I see them all as my friends rather than work colleagues. Many have left and/or retired over the years but we still get together and have some great days/nights out.”

Central Administration Team Manager Susan Dodgson said: “Lorraine has been a brilliant member of the team and a part of Winns for 15 years now.

“Her hard work and dedication to the role are invaluable and she’s got a great sense of humour that regularly makes the team laugh their way through the day.

“Congratulations Lorraine, it’s certainly well deserved!”