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Tributes paid to world's longest-serving KFC worker | Tributes paid to world's longest-serving KFC worker |
(about 13 hours later) | |
Pauline Richards was known as Miss KFC, having spent 47 years working for the company | Pauline Richards was known as Miss KFC, having spent 47 years working for the company |
Tributes have been paid to the world's longest-serving KFC employee, who has died after working at the same company for 47 years. | Tributes have been paid to the world's longest-serving KFC employee, who has died after working at the same company for 47 years. |
Pauline Richards, who was known by many as Miss KFC, first started working in Taunton's East Street restaurant in 1978. | Pauline Richards, who was known by many as Miss KFC, first started working in Taunton's East Street restaurant in 1978. |
She began her career as a cleaner but went on to take on almost every role in the store, including team leader and manager. | She began her career as a cleaner but went on to take on almost every role in the store, including team leader and manager. |
Tributes have poured in from Taunton residents and businesses who described her as a kind and compassionate woman who had a dry sense of humour. | Tributes have poured in from Taunton residents and businesses who described her as a kind and compassionate woman who had a dry sense of humour. |
Taunton Town Council said it was saddened to learn of Ms Richards' death and described her as a friendly and well-known face in the town. | Taunton Town Council said it was saddened to learn of Ms Richards' death and described her as a friendly and well-known face in the town. |
"She was an excited and incredibly deserving recipient of one of our Civic Awards back in March this year," a spokesperson for the council said. | "She was an excited and incredibly deserving recipient of one of our Civic Awards back in March this year," a spokesperson for the council said. |
"Our thoughts are with her family and all of those who knew and loved her." | "Our thoughts are with her family and all of those who knew and loved her." |
'I love working here' - Pauline Richards on being world's longest-serving KFC worker | 'I love working here' - Pauline Richards on being world's longest-serving KFC worker |
Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset in January, Ms Richards said she did not initially plan to stay at the branch forever but "just enjoyed it". | Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset in January, Ms Richards said she did not initially plan to stay at the branch forever but "just enjoyed it". |
"I love working here, I like meeting people and it's my favourite food, is chicken," she added. | "I love working here, I like meeting people and it's my favourite food, is chicken," she added. |
At the time, manager Beth Sutton said customers would visit the branch every day purely to see Ms Richards. | |
"They call her Nan or Mrs Chicken or Mum," Ms Sutton said. | "They call her Nan or Mrs Chicken or Mum," Ms Sutton said. |
"Everyone really comes in to see her mainly, just as much as they do the chicken." | "Everyone really comes in to see her mainly, just as much as they do the chicken." |
Hundreds of people have posted their condolences on social media after Ms Richards' death was announced. | Hundreds of people have posted their condolences on social media after Ms Richards' death was announced. |
"Pauline will never be forgotten," said Wendie Noble. "[I] had the pleasure of working with her at KFC when my children were younger. | "Pauline will never be forgotten," said Wendie Noble. "[I] had the pleasure of working with her at KFC when my children were younger. |
"[She was] such a kind and compassionate lady who never forgot you and always stopped for a chat." | "[She was] such a kind and compassionate lady who never forgot you and always stopped for a chat." |
Amy Capon added: "She was a character, always made me chuckle, had a fantastic work relationship with my son also. Such sad news, but take comfort in the fact 90% of the town are grieving with you." | Amy Capon added: "She was a character, always made me chuckle, had a fantastic work relationship with my son also. Such sad news, but take comfort in the fact 90% of the town are grieving with you." |
The team at Spud Shack in Taunton said Ms Richards will be "missed by everyone" in the area. | The team at Spud Shack in Taunton said Ms Richards will be "missed by everyone" in the area. |
"Pauline was very well known in the town for her dry sense of humour when dealing with people who were a tad intoxicated. Rest in peace Pauline." | "Pauline was very well known in the town for her dry sense of humour when dealing with people who were a tad intoxicated. Rest in peace Pauline." |
A KFC spokesperson said: "We're deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Pauline Richards. | A KFC spokesperson said: "We're deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Pauline Richards. |
"We are supporting Pauline's family, who have asked for their privacy to be respected during this difficult time." | "We are supporting Pauline's family, who have asked for their privacy to be respected during this difficult time." |
Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. | Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. |