Tamworth two clock up combined 40-year stint

Two women who have worked at The Bole Bridge (Tamworth) for a combined 40 years have been given long-service awards.

Kitchen team leader Jackie Price and bar team leader Anna Loasby have worked at the pub for 20 years each.

Jackie was working at a nightclub when she joined Wetherspoon. She still works as a sewing machinist and credits the company’s flexible approach to staff needs, allowing her to work two jobs.

For Jackie, working at The Bole Bridge is a family affair, as her sister, Samantha Rowley (who is also a nurse at Derby Hospital), and son, Joshua Price, both work there as well.

“It’s a good company to work for and it suited me as a mum,” added Jackie, who also took the opportunity to mention her friend Natalie Page, a kitchen team leader.

“Natalie died of ovarian cancer. She and I joined on the same day, so receiving this award of course made me think of her.”

A plaque to Natalie’s memory hangs inside the pub.

Anna Loasby enjoys working behind the bar because of the interaction and involvement with customers.

She said: “The Bole Bridge is a very sociable pub, and we all, customers and staff, know one another.

She added: “We have a good group of regulars who always come in at the same time on specific days.”

Anna started as a bar associate after working as a dancer and bar person at a Greek restaurant.

These days, she doesn’t dance as much, but still has music in her bones. “I love R&B,” said Anna, who also enjoys diamond-painting in her spare time.

Pub manager Jordan Holmes said of his long-serving colleagues: “Anna and Jackie are both an absolute credit to the pub.

“When you see them working, it’s clear that they have so much experience and both bring their personality to the job.

“Anna is very caring and looks after people in the bar area. Jackie, also a caring lady, is a real force in the kitchen, keeping it running as smoothly as possible.”