Pharmacy manager Betty Pritchard is calling time on her career after clocking up an incredible 59 years of service at Watkin-Davies Pharmacy in Bettws, Newport.

Retiring at the age of 91, Ms Pritchard’s career has spanned over seven decades, having spent 13 years at another pharmacy before joining Watkin-Davies.

The vast majority of her 59 years at the pharmacy were spent working full-time, commuting by bus every day. She only reduced her hours to two days a week following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Commenting on her career, Ms Pritchard said: ‘I love to work. I love to be in charge, and over the years, I’ve got on well with the staff. I’m in touch with people I worked with 30 years ago.’

She also remarked on the changes seen during her time at the pharmacy, recalling: ‘We used to prescribe poppy heads for toothache!’

A day-long celebration was held at Watkin-Davies to mark Ms Pritchard’s retirement, with colleagues and customers providing gifts of cakes, flowers and champagne.

‘I’m really lucky,’ she said. ’The customers are amazing, and so are the staff.

‘The local community is very loyal and grateful. I’ve made lots of friends, and it’s just a lovely place to work,’ she added.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which oversees the pharmacy, described Ms Pritchard as a pharmacy ‘icon’ and said her departure marked the ‘end of an era at Watkin-Davies Pharmacy, where she will be greatly missed by colleagues and customers alike’.