Farewell and Good Luck: Hywl fawr a phob luc to our facilities team leader Glyn Jones

Glyn below the ‘Jones’ Clock

Although born and bred in Bebington, our retiring facilities team leader, Glyn Jones, has Welsh as his first language!

Rhyfeddol, phenomenal!

 His Welsh grandad, taid, moved to Wirral from Cwm-y-glo, Gwynedd, in the 1930’s with the family, including Glyn’s dad, Dei. Then when Dei met Glyn’s mum, Clatterbridge oncology nurse, Anne, originally from Bangor, they only spoke Welsh around the house until Glyn was three and he started going to the local nursery.

Every now and then Glyn will allow a Welsh word to slip into his daily language and now we know the reason why.

Ha, Jones. Of course!

Glyn’s awareness of the hospice was also massively influenced by mum, Anne, as she was heavily involved in fundraising efforts as a committee member of the Bebington support group (one of 14 such groups around the peninsula) which undertook community fundraising activities before, and in the first several years after, the hospice opened.

Glyn’s mum Anne collecting for the hospice

He has many fond memories of supporting his mum in those years and speaks proudly of her links to the hospice and Clatterbridge hospital.

Glyn was also community minded, working in Bebington youth club, The Fold, when he was relatively young himself helping local young people with activities and adventures that gave them inspiration and life lessons. Part of this volunteer story was also fulfilled working as a volunteer for Toc H, an organisation which has hubs around the UK helping some of the most disadvantaged people across society.

It was around twenty years ago when Glyn was first a regular volunteer for the logistics team on Light up a Life night, alongside his own long-time friend and now hospice volunteer services manager, Phil McGraa.

In his own career he was a reprographic artist for TWG group where he eventually managed the printing groups’ successful Liverpool operation from 2008 but, following a US takeover, Glyn eventually departed in 2014.

A run of jobbing, building and painting and decorating work (he took after dad, Dei, who had set up his own business in the craft and taught Glyn well) followed until an opportunity arose in 2016 to join the hospice as a ‘bank’ facilities officer on nights and days and he was once again in the fold. The hospice fold.

Since that time he has risen to be facilities team leader. His management abilities and hands on, can do, approach to everything facilities can accomplishes behind the scenes has come to the fore.

Fire test? Where’s Glyn? Skip needs siting and filling? Where’s Glyn? Contractor on site? Where’s Glyn? Organising health and safety for events? Where’s Glyn?

Luckily, in these last seven or so years we’ve always been able to find him so goodness knows what we’ll do now.

Pauline with Glyn

You see, he’s off with the love of his life, wife Pauline, to live in the beautiful town of Helston in Cornwall. The dogs, Bess and Cariad, are going to get lots of exercise and they’re going to be close to daughter Mollie and her husband Tom and, brand new grandson, Billy Dei, and he really is leaving with all of our best wishes.

He says he’s retiring (ok, he’ll be enjoying the local scenery, great walks, fresh food and lovely beer) but we all know  a future where soon the locals may be shouting…

A fishing net has snapped, Where’s Glyn? The local school needs help at an event (Mollie’s a teaching assistant), Where’s Glyn? Pauline wants an extension or new kitchen/bathroom in their new house, Where’s Glyn? And, until we get a new facilities team leader to replace him, I know people at the hospice will still ask occasionally, Where’s Glyn?

Greatest of good luck to you and all the family, Glyn. Thank you for all you’ve done for the hospice.

In fact, Diolch yn fawr, thank you very much!

Glyn also left us this poem, Leaving Words.

It’s bitter sweet that I leave today

As down to Cornwall we make our way.

One day to another is never the same

As I stroll through the hospice I’ve heard my name,

“Glyn any chance you can have a look at that

Fix drains, sockets, and get rid of that cat!”

Ordering vital signs monitors and a new bed.

Tools, paint, keys and torches for our head.

The kitchen ring to ask for a cucumber,

Some tomatoes and lettuces, 3 in number.

Getting the call that there’s a funny smell

Lifting the manhole, “oh bloody hell!”

Every one of you mean such a lot

Don’t forget it, and give all you’ve got.

Chris Adams and I have worked together doing IT

Fitting the shops with cables and CCTV.

Managing projects from bathroom to heating

Attending the, odd, interesting meeting.

I have loved working with you all for 8 years

It’s been good, it’s been great, I’ll have to fight back the tears.

I have worked for 45 years on the 29th May

Leaving you all it is a sad day.

Lovely compliments you have paid,

But all our decisions have now been made.

You haven’t made it easy with all the hugs and kisses

Just keep that to yourselves and don’t tell the missus.

Helston in Cornwall is the place we will live

Near to our grandson Billy, lots of love we will give.

Grandson Billy Dei

We’ll be back to visit Bebington – an unbreakable link.

We’ll be sure to call in, and arrange a wee drink.

Farewell my friends, I’ll miss you all.

If you’re ever in Cornwall feel free to call!

Glyn as a baby