Marion is always a good sport (From Stroud News and Journal)

Marion is always a good sport

STRATFORD Park Leisure Centre celebrates its thirtieth birthday this summer and there's one loyal worker who has been there since the start.

Marion Kinns, 52, started working as a childcare supervisor at the Leisure centre in May 1976 before the centre had officially opened.

Thirty years and a few job changes later she is still a familiar face greeting customers at the centre.

She said: "It was an exciting and new venture but no one knew how it was going to work out or whether it would be a success or failure. But we were all geared up to make it a success.

"At the time there weren't many sports centres in the country and none in Stroud so it was really an unknown thing."

Marion's role in the leisure centre has changed since she first started but when she started she didn't think for a minute she would stay there for thirty years.

"I was privileged to get the job because everyone wanted to be part of it. But I never thought I'd stay this long," said Mrs Kinns.

A qualified nursery nurse, Marion started at the centre running the crche, but is now a familiar face on reception.

"When I first came here I was a full-time crche supervisor and I was responsible for starting it up.

"But after about a year they decided there wasn't enough demand for the crche anymore and I was going to be made redundant," said Marion.

"So my role changed to part time crche supervisor, part-time administrator and part-time receptionist but now I just work on the reception."

The centre is planning to tie in its anniversary celebrations with a free activity day and the Stroud Show which it is hosting this summer.