Vera will be missed after 27 years

Posted Thursday 4 March 2010

Vera Collins is a true Battle girl.  She was born and bred in the village and will now be greatly missed after 27 years serving the local community at our Battle practice.

Local residents gave her flowers, cards and chocolates during her last few working days before her retirement celebration with colleagues on 27 February. In her role as receptionist, Vera has seen many changes over the years as well as getting to know so many local people which enabled her to give a genuine personal service.

When she joined Barraclough & Stiles in 1982, she was using a paper diary and handwriting all monetary transactions which needed to be added up at the end of the day.  Vera said "the business is much more complex these days with everything being computerised and managing all the strict NHS rules.  It used to be that everyone had free eye tests and a voucher for glasses.  Now eye exams are only free for the under 19's in full time education, the over 60's, those on certain benefits and people with particular medical conditions." 

The company's MD, Jeremy Heynes, added "Vera is well loved in the Battle community and has been a loyal, cheerful and well respected colleague.  She has played a valuable role in building a practise that prides itself on friendly customer relationships by ensuring we have plenty of time with each person.  Infact we are growing so much that we are currently looking for larger premises in Battle."