End of an Era!

This week marked the end of an era, where work was concerned. After four years working at The Newcome Arms, I completed my last shift on Wednesday night. It has been a huge wrench leaving the pub, I have been a part of for so long, but as my circumstances have changed, so has my outlook on life. I have been given the opportunity to do more hours in my full time job, the money is better, and sadly new commitments would have overlapped with my bar duties, so something just had to give. I literally can't be in two places at once, so as much as I wanted to stay around friends, it wasn't an option. Saying goodbye to some truly remarkable people was extremely difficult, and the reality is, I don't know if I have made the right decision, yet!

All of us reach a crossroads in our life, when it is important to make choices for the future. This week has been a significant milestone for me in determining my own destiny. The Newcome Arms was a crucial first step in returning to British life in 2018, after living in Spain, and it got me through some awfully dark days. The people I worked with and the customers who frequented this backstreet bar, were instrumental in getting me through, what I can only describe as the most traumatic years of my life.

With Darrell living ten thousand miles away in Australia, my bar work gave my an outlet to socialise with people, when I needed the company of others most. Having one's husband living on the other side of the World, was extremely hard to deal with, so conversation and interaction was critical. In many respects, my worries took a back seat while I was here, and that was a good thing. I didn't want or need to be thinking about my own woes on a daily basis, any distraction was welcome!

The pandemic brought me closer to the pub, despite being furloughed on occasion. The time I spent there became more valuable than ever; the World may well have been falling apart around me, but it was the people there that put everything into perspective. Their sense of community in abnormal times was refreshing and allowed me to forget about the dramatic events happening across the globe. This pub became the backbone I needed and the normality I craved, this was my escape and my reason to get out of bed!

I will always have fond memories of The Newcome Arms and will do my best to return when I can. As my life moves forwards, onwards and hopefully upwards, it's good to know some things never change. This pub in the heart of Fratton will be there, long after I have gone, It's illuminating light shining brightly, welcoming all of us home. The Newcome Arms will remain a reality check for friends, family and neighbours, returning for those significant events in all our lives.

The day after I left the pub, a colleague I worked with left for a well deserved retirement. It was of course a sad day for all of us who knew Sue, but it was also a signal of the changing times. No matter where we work or what job we do, there will come a time when we have to move on, for our own personal fulfilment.

Sue was a wonderful character, who was a joy to be around, always happy to help out when she could and a great source of advice. We were so similar in many ways and always had a lot to chat about, which made for a productive, friendly environment in which to work. I will miss her, as I know many of my colleagues will also and if I am honest, a bit of me is envious of the plans she has for the future. Like me, she used to live in Spain and returning to the UK was a hard path to tread; as she steps into the unknown one last time and takes a final bow, I know all of us wish her success in all her endeavours!

Sue's departure cemented the end of an era, both of us travelling on two very different journeys but with two similar aims - the beginning of a new life! Darrell and I have started to think about the future, and leaving The Newcome is the start of that process. Both of us intend to be in Portsmouth for at least four more years, by which time I can officially retire, given the right circumstances of course. Until then, we will keep on forging our new life together, working towards our goals, creating memories, cherishing friendships and earning enough money to eventually live, the life both of us desire!

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