This December we say a fond farewell to Alan Wanklin, who has been the Porter at Malvern College for the last 24 years. We caught up with him to hear some of his favourite memories from his time at Malvern and to see what the future has in store for him.
How long have you worked for at Malvern College?
In total for 26 years. I spent the first two years working at the Sports Complex for John Cox and then the Porter’s job became available. I applied and got it, and this has been me ever since. Since 1869 I believe I am the seventh Porter to live in The Lodge and have this role. Those seven all worked an average of 22 years, so I am delighted to have been the Porter for 24 years. It is definitely the end of an era for me as I leave to start my retirement.
What have you enjoyed most?
All of it. I have just absolutely loved my job. In this role you must be the sort of person who can easily multi-task and that’s me to a tee.
I will miss all the team and I loved working with Lesley-Anne Davies for so many years. She was a wonderful boss to work for; she had the best memory I’ve ever seen and was inspirational to work with and for. I always felt she worked with me.
I have made so many friends here though that it’s hard to distinguish a single memory. It really is a very friendly place to work, and everyone wants to make a difference. I really have loved every minute of my time here.
What does your role involve?
Well, it is not carrying suitcases! I do a little bit of everything – post, banking, delivery of parcels, setting up for events and so much more. I am the keyholder of the College, so it is up to me to lock and unlock the school. This role has just come second nature to me, and nothing has ever phased me.
Best memory?
I have loved the interaction with the pupils and have loved the home from home feel the College has. It has meant I have formed some strong connections with pupils and their families, and I still regularly receive Christmas cards from them. It is certainly nice to be remembered in this way.
I do however have one real stand out memory; part of my role is locking up the College at night and I used to lock up the Music School at 6.45pm which meant all pupils had to be back at their Houses by then. Andrew Tsui (2.02-04) would often be there, and he’d always be totally lost in his playing of the piano and often lost track of time. He’d always apologise to me but would then play Chopin for me as I walked the corridors locking up the Music School. If he ever had a tardy, we would get him to play the piano in Big School for us while we worked. I’m still in touch with him today, as well as many other pupils who still want to keep in touch with me.
What would you like to see for the future?
I would like as many of the traditions as possible to remain. We have so many fantastic ones and they are integral to the history of the College. This is so important.
What is next?
Enjoying my retirement! This is going to be a big change for all of us as we have lived here in the Porter’s Lodge for all these years. My wife Ann, Tyler the cat and I will be moving from the College at the start of January which means this will be our last Christmas and New Year here at the College. One of our traditions for many years has been to go to the Chapel on New Years Eve to light a candle for those no longer with us. I will miss this. I plan to be very busy redoing the garden in our new house. Ann is already keeping me busy decorating the inside of it, so it is completely finished when we move into it in the new year.
We also have two sons and five grandchildren so they will certainly continue to keep me very busy.
We wish Alan all the best for his retirement and thank him for all his work at Malvern College.
If you have a message for Alan, please contact us at [email protected] and we will happily pass it on for you.