Sandiway dental receptionist June bids adieu after 34 years

June Leigh, who lives in Norley, started work at McTooth in Mere Lane, Sandiway, when it was opened by much-loved local dentist, Andy McCrae, in April 1989.

June was a patient of Andy’s at his previous practice in Winsford and, after setting up the new business in Sandiway, he took a chance on hiring her even though she had no reception experience.

His gamble paid off, and the two worked together closely for 30 years, until Andy retired and sold the practice in 2019.

June Leigh (second from left) pictured with collagues to mark dentist Andy McCrae's (centre) retirement in 2019 (Image: Newsquest)

June decided to hang on a few more years but has now decided its time ‘to give someone younger a chance’.   

Asked how she feels about retiring after 34 years in the job, the 70-year-old said she was ‘mostly sad’, adding: “I’ve got to know so many people, and they’re what I’m going to miss most.

“I’ve known one or two patients since I first started at the practice 34 years ago.

“I’ve watched them have children, and those children grow up and start having families of their own.

“I’ve enjoyed this job from the first day I started. I like meeting people and helping them.

"Andy McCrae gave me the chance to do the reception job, which I’d never done before.

"He had a practice in Winsford and I used to be one of his patients.

"I owe a lot to him. He’s been very good to me. I watched his family grow up and I still see them now.

"It was a family-run business for 30 years until he retired, but it’s now been taken over by new owners.

"There are a lot of younger people coming through now, and I feel it’s time to let them have a go.

"It’ll be a big change though. I’ve worked since I was 14 years old."

Dentist and friend, Emily Morris, who started at McTooth when only one-year qualified in 2014 and stayed for nine years, says June is 'an absolute wonder'. 

"She's the absolute centre of the practice," she added. 

"All the patients know her, and she knows everyone's name, family, grandchilden. She's its essence.

"June's been an absolute pleasure to work with. I was just a wet-behind-the-ears 24-year-old when I started, and she really took me under her wing. 

"She used to make me gorgeous sandwiches at lunch times with ham from Littlers Butchers - a real mother hen. 

"She's a gem."