Angela Sowerby has been celebrating with colleagues to mark 50 years of working at Joseph Cowper Ltd, Penrith.
After a celebratory meal, managing director Phil Caton interviewed Angela in the style of Michael Parkinson.
She recalled starting as a dispensary assistant in 1973, working for Jim Carrie, when prescriptions and labels were written by hand.
They sold sherry and spirits and prepared many products on the premises, including cough mixtures, stomach bottles, creams and ointments.
She recalled the late Geoff Silburn joining the firm and going on to work with him for 40 of her 50 years with the firm.
During this time, she also successfully ran the Alhambra Cinema, Middlegate, with her late husband Keith.
With some prompting and teasing, Angela entertained the guests with comic moments from her dispensary life. She has seen many changes and worked with at least a dozen different pharmacists. Many pharmacies have come and gone in her time — Priestman and Humble, Edmondsons and notably Charlie Dixon’s, which is now Penrith Building Society.
Phil thanked Angela for her outstanding contribution and presented her with a gold watch and earrings. She plans to continue as bookkeeper and longest serving member of staff.
