As a young lad one of my reasons for being a vet, not a doctor, was preferring to work with animals rather than humans.

However, it didn’t take me long to realise that the job is really all about people.

As you get older you realise that part of the pleasure of working within a small organisation for a long time is the people you come into contact with. Co-workers or clients, they move from unknown to familiar faces with time, although they can catch me out if I see them in an unfamiliar location, especially if dressed up for the occasion.

The splendid Wilson Garnett of Ackenthwaite was one, never seen without his cap, unless it was at a black tie do. I daresay he was equally surprised to see me in similar attire, my standard working clothing tending to the functional rather than the sartorial.

So it was with much laughter and a little sadness that I went to an impromptu tea party held in honour of Angela Harper, who has retired after nearly 36 years at Westmorland Vets. She started in 1982 (six years before I qualified) and has seen out at least seven practice owners since then.

When I bought the Stramongate practice, we had no reception area, just a bare waiting room.

Putting in a reception desk was one of the first changes I made, and Angela took to her task with ease. Although we had a practice computer, it wasn’t used much, but Angela worked at it and soon became quite adept. S

he was a natural on the reception desk. I’ve seen her juggle clients leaving or paying bills or collecting medicines, as well as ringing phones, all at one. And she was still able to acknowledge and smile at another person to walk through the door, many of whom she came to know well over the years.

Ever cheerful, always courteous, with a generous laugh. She’ll be missed, but we are enriched to have known and worked with her. Have a happy retirement Angela, with best wishes from us all!

Iain Richards

Vet