A Family Affair

Sisters Viv Parkinson and Jackie Barker retired from Clare this year after together serving 70 years in Housekeeping.

College Communications Manager, Sally Hodges, had the pleasure of interviewing Viv & Jackie on their last day in College.

It’s a beautiful, sunny day as I sit and chat to two sisters who have worked in the housekeeping department at Clare for decades. The retirement of Viv and Jackie marks the end of an era. Their story is a family affair as both their mother and father also worked at the College: Frederick Bowman was a porter in 1977 and Edna a bedder from 1965.

With mixed emotions, Viv shares memories of her time at Clare. She began her career as a hairdresser, but was encouraged by Edna to come and work for the College; so she put down her scissors and replaced them with a mop at the age of 21, joining Clare in 1973. Jackie arrived a little later, taking over from her mother in 1991, aged 32.

Both women shared wonderful memories of their College lives. Their fondness for the students was evident, some of whom they are still in touch with today.

Viv chuckled when recalling a tale about a water fight on T staircase where the students soaked her with water cannons. Un-phased, Viv hatched a plan and ‘got them back on their way to breakfast’.

Other student memories included visitors from America over the summer months. They stayed in touch and would come back each year to meet with Viv and Jackie and other members of the housekeeping team.  

‘Getting to know the students was the best bit. Within just a few weeks we would know them all by name and be making them morning coffee’, recalled Jackie.

Asked if they had a favourite staircase or time, Viv said T staircase where she worked for 25 years and made lifelong friendships. For Jackie, it was V staircase in 1999.

Both seemed to enjoy reminiscing and sharing tales of student pranks. These included removing the hinges from doors so that they would fall on fellow peers, sewing up button-holes on pyjamas, using ropes to climb out of windows, and finding unexpected guests asleep in the bathtubs!

When asked what changes they’d noticed over the years they both talked about the introduction of en-suites in student rooms, and while they agreed these were a more modern amenity and students were enjoying not having to queue for the shower, they also thought that they didn’t perhaps know each other as well. Never underestimate staircase banter!

During their time here they really did roll up their sleeves and get involved. Jackie would do the students’ washing and ironing, and Viv would do the same for Fellows. They also worked at several May Balls in the kitchens and were often serenaded by students.

Asked what they would miss most about Clare, Viv’s shaky response was ‘the company, coming out everyday and working with a great team. I have very fond memories that I will cherish for many years.’

Jackie will mostly miss the tea breaks! And the students that she has looked after. But she is looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Simon Franklin, President of the Fellowship, summed up the College’s debt of gratitude to the sisters: ‘Viv and Jackie are and will be remembered with gratitude and affection by hundreds, perhaps thousands, of former students over decades. They have been not merely employed by the College; they have become part of the College. We’ll all miss them – both because of who they are, and because of the values and traditions that they represent.”

During their time at Clare they have supported homesick students, looked after Fellows and staff, and been the heart of the Housekeeping Department. Clare College would like to thank both Viv and Jackie for their exceptional service and dedication for so many years, and to wish them well in their retirement.