Sheila receiving flowers for her fab 50.
After 23 years of being a friendly, smiling and resourceful fixture in Reception, Sheila Bateman is retiring on 31 July.
Because of the Department shutdown, we will sadly not be able to say goodbye in person to Sheila, although plans may be afoot for a delayed farewell party when restrictions are lifted.
“She said she did not want a party, but it would be tragic if we could not do something to thank her for everything she has done,” says Sue Begg, who has worked with Sheila for the last 20 years. “Sheila is definitely a ‘king pin’ in the Department. I think that most, if not everyone, that has worked for her has gone on to bigger roles, which is a real testimony to her.”
Personnel Administrator Emma Graham has shared several special events with Sheila over the years, and has especially fond memories of celebrating Sheila’s 60th birthday with a surprise trip to London. “We went on a boat cruise and then to see Wicked The Musical,” recalls Emma. “It was the first time Sheila had seen a musical and she loved it!”
Sheila started in the Department on the 1st of December 1997 as a Receptionist/Clerical Assistant. According to Marita Walsh, Sheila’s referees stated that she was “honest, trustworthy, reliable, punctual, loyal and a friendly person to work with.” Marita says: “And none of that has changed to this day!” Over the years Sheila has taken more responsibility and from 2015 she has been managing the cleaning staff and reception.
It’s rare to get agreement among scientists, and especially Heads of Department, but every Head of Department during the time Sheila worked here has something kind to say about her.
Dave King, HoD 1992 – 2000: How can we forget Sheila? The front face of the Department, always with a welcoming smile, and always, always helpful, efficient and friendly all at the same time. A role model to the rest of us. Sheila, you set a standard for the rest of us to aim for. Enjoy your retirement, and keep smiling!
Jeremy Sanders, HoD 2000 - 2006: When I was Head of Department, I knew that I could always rely on Sheila and her team in Reception to present a calm, welcoming and efficient face to all our visitors, whether they were Chief Executives, Royalty, or a nervous youngster coming for a job interview. The atmosphere that Sheila helped to create has always made a warm and positive impression on our visitors and colleagues alike, while at the same time she was able to deal firmly with those who were not so well behaved. Over the years I have appreciated the way that she has also always been so helpful to me personally and to Louise. One day I arrived without my University card -- when I asked Sheila for a temporary card, she gave me one labelled "Forgetful Prof!" Best wishes to you and your family for a long, happy and healthy retirement. We’ll miss you.
Bill Jones, HoD 2006 - 2011: Well, all I can say is arrival in the mornings and leaving in the late afternoons will not be the same in the future for all of us to walk past reception. We will certainly miss Sheila’s ever-ready willingness to help and to always see the ‘funny side of life in the chemistry department.’ She will be missed but not forgotten, and we hope to see her calling in sometimes to check on us! It’s staff like Sheila who make a HoD’s life so much easier. All the best for your retirement. More time with the grandchildren – and how they do change our lives!
Daan Frenkel, HoD 2011 - 2014: Sheila was the first person I saw when I arrived in 2007, and I will miss her very much. She is a shining example of someone who made the department not just a well-run place, but a friendly place. There’s a reason why I do not have many pictures of Sheila – she rarely left reception. Except, of course, during fire alarms!
John Pyle, HoD 2014-2019: Sheila has been a great colleague, filling her role as Reception Manager to perfection. Reception is outward facing – often the first point of contact with the department – so it must present our department at its best – she has done that wonderfully. Reception also has to contend with the academics who somehow don’t know the rules. “Can’t I have a visitor parking space?” “I’ll only be a minute.” “Where did you put the bicycle pump?’ Sheila, how did you keep a straight face? We’ll all miss you terribly.
James Keeler, Hod 2019 - present: The University has been going strong for more than 800 years, surviving many ups and downs, and the Department, although not quite so old, continues to endure and prosper. In other words, Cambridge has a habit of outliving people, and nobody is really indispensable. But Sheila may well be the exception. We can perhaps imagine another Newton, but another Sheila – that is stretching it! Successive Heads of Department, very much me included, have been able to rely of Sheila’s steady hand on the tiller, keeping everything in Reception on track and under control. A big big thank you for all that.
Perhaps Sue Begg best sums up our feelings for Sheila and how she will be missed when she says: “I mean Sheila is Sheila – she’s always there and can always do everything!”