A woman who has been telling the time non-stop for the Speaking Clock Service has finally retired after 70 years.
Ethel Drycleft says she now wants to start doing old people things like standing in the exits of supermarkets to read her receipts.
She told WalesOnCraic:
“I was very excited when I first got the job of telling the time. Every time the phone rang, I’d look at the clock and tell whoever was there the time. After about 30 years, things started to get a bit boring. I’d start doing the crosswords while on calls. I’d bring my ironing in to do while I was working. I’d even tell the time in my sleep, which meant I could go home from work and have a night out.
“It was around the 68 year mark that I decided I should look to take a break. I’d always got jealous of those old people who had time to stand in the doorways of supermarkets and read their receipts. Their total obliviousness to anyone around them I find cute and I decided I’d like to that.”
Ethel finally stopped telling the time last weekend.
“I’ll find it hard to adjust. I went into Kwik Save last week and was asked if I had a loyalty card but my instant response was to announce the time,” added Ethel.
