Golden service gets the seal of approval from Lord Mayor
For many people reaching retirement age is a much-anticipated landmark, viewed with excitement and plans of putting your feet up.
But for one Swansea lady that’s been far from the case.
Now 82, Brenda Porter is still working as a waitress at the city’s landmark Dragon Hotel in a career that spans 50 years since the Hotel’s grand opening in 1961. Now as the Hotel celebrates its 50th birthday year Brenda has received a celebratory treat of her own.
After reading about Brenda’s exceptional service at the Hotel in the Evening Post, Lord Mayor of the City and County of Swansea, Councillor Richard Lewis invited Brenda along to a coffee morning to chat through her memories of the Hotel and Swansea over the last 50 years.
During her hour with the Lord Mayor, Brenda reminisced about the highlights of working at The Dragon Hotel, which have included working at the grand launch night in 1961, and serving the great and good of Swansea at the many charity and society events held at the Hotel.
Speaking of her invitation to meet with the Lord Mayor, Brenda said: “I had a truly wonderful time and was delighted to have had the honour to meet with the Lord Mayor and take tea in his office.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed all of my 50 years working at the Dragon Hotel, and it was lovely to chat about the memories that we both share and the events that we have both played a part in at the Hotel. It was lovely to sit and talk with someone who has such a great knowledge of Swansea and its people.”
Lord Mayor of Swansea, Cllr Richard Lewis, said: “Brenda is clearly a remarkable woman. To have quite literally been serving the people of Swansea as well as many thousands of visitors to our great city for 50 years is a wonderful achievement that should be celebrated.
“It’s amazing that Brenda was there on the opening night of the hotel back in 1961 and is still there today doing a fantastic job. She is a tremendous ambassador for Swansea.”
