A THIRD of a century behind the mop comes to an end for Marge Chilvers on Monday when she retires as caretaker of an Ipswich high school.Marge joined St Alban's in 1970 and is set to retire on Monday, a day before her 65th birthday.

A THIRD of a century behind the mop comes to an end for Marge Chilvers on Monday when she retires as caretaker of an Ipswich high school.

Marge joined St Alban's in 1970 and is set to retire on Monday, a day before her 65th birthday.

Starting as a part-time cleaner, working just two days a week, the dedicated caretaker rose through the ranks, adapting with the times and taking on all the modern day pressures of managing a school.

She has seen lots of changes over the years, with the school growing from a mere 200 pupils to more than 800 and the passing of countless year groups through her gleaming corridors.

Although the work has sometimes been hard, coping with the damaging effects of the hurricanes in 1987 not being the least, Marge says she has thoroughly enjoyed her time with the school.

She says, "I'm sure I shall miss it but I will continue to stay in touch and will support the school with all its local events."

Living just around the corner, in Rushmere Road, will mean that keeping in touch with pupils and staff should not be too much of a chore.

One teacher at the school, Ro Harte, can remember Marge from the other side of the staff room door when she attended St Alban's as a pupil.

She says, "Marge is such an integral part of the school and she's been part of things for so long that it just won't be the same without her."

Not only has she been vital in keeping the school ticking along nicely she is also responsible for keeping the classrooms nice and cosy during these chilly winter months.

Mike Scott, a P.E teacher with the school, thanked Marge for this and congratulated her on all her hard work and dedication saying, "She is totally reliable and hardly ever off ill.

She's affectionately known by all the staff and pupils alike."

Moving to Ipswich from Framsden after marrying her husband, a driver for Brooke and Wood civil Engineers, Mrs Chilvers' real passion in life is as an avid supporter of Ipswich Town Football Club.

But she does not see her newly found free time affecting her supporting habits too much as she already attends every match, home and away.

Working at the club as a steward, Marge has travelled the length and breath of England cheering the side on, even following them to Russia two years ago for the UEFA cup tie against Torpedo Moscow.

As well as continuing her support for the blues, Marge plans to catch up with all the things she has been putting off, and pamper her own house with a nice spot of decorating.