Rugby registrar recalls changes
A long-serving employee of Warwickshire County Council’s Registration Services, who has been a recognizable and friendly face to many people visiting Rugby Register Office to register the birth or death of their loved ones, retires from her post this week.
Julie Mitchell, who has worked for the county council for over 25 years, will say goodbye to colleagues and be the star of a special presentation on Thursday (18 March) to thank her for all her hard work.
Colleagues will pay tribute to Julie’s long service, during which time she has experienced many changes in registration.
Julie started her working life in 1966 as a junior clerk for Rugby Rural District Council, which included writing out certificates and notices of marriage. In 1968 she joined the education office, before taking a break to have her sons. Julie then went on to run her own shop – selling sweets to mainly Bilton High School pupils – before resuming her service for Warwickshire County Council in 1982, as a school secretary for St Matthews Bloxham C of E Primary School.
In 1985, Julie became a Registrar, and in her words, “it was nothing like it is today.”
Julie says there were “no computers or even typewriters in sight, just pen and ink. Eventually we acquired our own photo copier, then I bought myself electric typewriter with a memory, to churn out the certificates. In about 1997 we were issued with computers.”
Julie says there have been “many changes to computerisation since and lots of updates, law changes and developments.”
The first marriage in a hotel in Warwickshire took place at the Woodhouse in 1995 and Julie had the privilege to register it.
Councillor Heather Timms, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Customers, Workforce and Partnerships, said: “It’s essential that we recognise and celebrate individuals who show a commitment to helping others over many years, sometimes during very difficult circumstances but also during joyous occasions, and Julie is one of those special people.
“I’d like to wish Julie all the very best for her retirement and thank her for all her hard work during her 25 years plus with Warwickshire County Council.”
Julie, who has only a few regrets during her quarter century of service, says: “One of our newest members of staff keeps telling me not to look so worried and I thought about it – yes, I think I do look serious most of the time, but it comes with the job.”