FAYE MASON

--A VERY PRACTICAL PERSON--

From the first moment that I met Faye it was obvious that here was a young lady who knew her mind and was quite able to look after herself in any situation. She has an air of quiet confidence about her. Faye is now 20 years old and, from as far back as her days at Kibworth Primary School, anything of a mechanical nature has held a fascination for her. This interest in all things practical has led her into her present job as a Motor Vehicle Mechanic with Marand Motors in Market Harborough.

Not a job for young women...

Even in today’s enlightened times it is difficult to find many young women doing such a job, at least in our country. It was while Faye was attending Kibworth High School that the idea of becoming a motor mechanic first entered her mind. As part of her work experience at Robert Smythe School, Faye went to Mann Eggerton’s Garage in Leicester to work in the stores department. The person in charge of the stores tried to persuade Faye not to try and become a mechanic; it was not a job for young women. Faye being Faye was not about to be proved wrong; she stayed on an extra year at school and completed courses in Electronics, Fabrication/Welding and Mechanics at Charles Keene College. Good results in tests arranged by her Careers Officer eventually led to an interview with Marand Motors who were so impressed that they made her the first woman car mechanic in the history of the company.

Her throwing prowess...

Life at school had been enjoyable, with Sport and English being her favourite parts of the curriculum. The Hockey, Football, Netball and Rounders teams had all benefited from her membership. She also represented the County throwing the Discus. Faye now uses her throwing prowess to propel Darts with considerable accuracy, as Captain of the mixed pairs Darts team at Kibworth Club. She admits to being a very social person and considers herself to be quite open minded. Any leisure time left is either spent babysitting for friends or enjoying a good read as she puts it. Faye’s job also appears to be part of her leisure time, in that she enjoys it so much; not, sadly, something a large proportion of the population can say.

What spurred her on....

I asked Faye what it was about the job that interested her apart from its practical nature. She said that the solving of a problem was what spurred her on; she did not like to be beaten. Faye is clearly good at her job; she is accepted as part of a team and has never experienced any kind of prejudice because she is a woman doing a job in what many still consider to be a man’s world. Faye has been at Marand Motors for nearly four years now but has a clear ambition to own her own garage in the future. She challenged me to come back and interview her in ten years time; so, provided my own ‘mechanics’ are still working, watch this space.

©MAP

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