An accountant is celebrating a landmark decade with her firm and an impressive near six-decade career in accountancy.
Pat Wilson of JF Hornby & Co was described as "an industry treasure" by managing director Paul Hornby.
Ms Wilson joined the accountancy firm when she was 64, at a time when she was contemplating retirement.
Ms Wilson said: "I had been with my previous employer for more than 30 years.
"It was with another accountancy firm and for a boss who was amazing.
"I had so much respect for him and the way he conducted himself.
"When he retired and I left, I couldn't imagine ever finding a business where I would be as happy or feel as valued.
"But I got very lucky, because my career at Hornbys has been every bit as fulfilling, rewarding, and enjoyable.
"I love the team here and have so much respect for my colleagues - they are wonderful.
"A lot of the clients I had worked with in my previous role moved to JF Hornby when they heard I had started to work there, so I have had the opportunity to continue to support them, which has been wonderful."
Ms Wilson started her career in the accountancy department of the National Coal Board in South Yorkshire in 1966, where she produced profit and loss management accounts for the region's various colleries.
Pat with her Coal Board colleagues in the 1960s (Image: Supplied)
After widespread industrial action in the early 1970s, she decided to move to Barrow to be with family.
She worked in various roles, including at the then-Vickers Shipbuilding Company, and even represented the Barrow Working Men’s Club in table tennis, at which she excelled.
"I remember I had to enter the club through a different door to the men - women were not allowed to be members back then - and I was not allowed to approach the bar for a drink.
"That was the case at all working men’s clubs.
"However, as time passed, the rules did start to relax.
"But for a period, I was something of a novelty on the working men's club circuit due to my table tennis skills."
Following a career break to start a family, she returned to accountancy, joining a small company where she stayed for 33 years.
Ms Wilson said: "So much has changed since the days of the coal board; technology has moved on massively, but you have no choice but to adopt it and move with the times.
"I’ve certainly done that throughout my career and I’ll continue to do so for as long as I’m here.
"I have reduced my working week, but I can't see myself doing anything else - I love accounts, I love working with clients - many of whom I’m proud to call friends - and I have no plans to go anywhere."
Mr Hornby said: "Pat is an industry treasure - she is fantastic at what she does and her personality is infectious.
"It’s a privilege to have her as a member of our team and I’m very pleased to hear she has no plans to retire.
"Office life without Pat would not be the same, so long may her career at JF Hornby & Co continue."
Ms Wilson joined JF Hornby & Co in 2015 and has since worked with a diverse range of businesses, being particularly well known amongst the Chinese community in South Cumbria, and counting many businesses with Chinese owners as her clients.
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