This Is Guernsey

Salvation Army Clifton community centre manager Trevor Savident retired yesterday.

THE Salvation Army bade a fond farewell to its community centre manager yesterday.

Trevor Savident retired from the Clifton branch after 13 years.

Mr Savident said he would have carried on, but it is SA policy that staff should retire at 65. Captain Kelvin Lang will replace him.

‘I was in the police force and coming up for retirement [at 55]. I could have stayed for another three years, but the job came up here. I fancied it, applied and got it,’ said Mr Savident.

‘It had just opened and they wanted somebody to run it, so I’ve been here from the start.’

It was his first experience of the organisation.

Mr Savident spearheaded the introduction of an after-school club, which he said was the highlight of his career. The community hall now hosts a mother and toddler group three times a week, an after-school club on five afternoons and a luncheon club twice a week. Between 150 and 200 people attend the centre every week.

Now he is retiring, he plans to work on his garden and will go on holiday in the autumn before making any further plans but he does hope to come back as a volunteer. He paid tribute to all the longstanding members and volunteers without whose contributions, he said, the centre would not function.

Centre staff and helpers gave him a book filled with photos from his last day.

‘I’ve made some good friends here, so it will be quite sad to go. I’ve had a few leaving dos and I’ve had four or five farewell parties and three cakes.

‘It’s all been quite emotional. I will miss the camaraderie and the atmosphere, which is absolutely brilliant.

‘I will leave here with great memories.’