All in a Day's Work
Deep in the furthest reaches of the Refectory Lynn Cooper is doing a 'clean' job. Lynn has been working part-time in the launderette for six years, and is perhaps one of the University's unsung heroes.
"One of the reasons for my being here is to show the new first years how to work the machines, which temperature settings to use with whites and colours without ruining their clothes. I try to advise them to the best of my ability, although there are some things I'm still not sure about even after six years of doing the job.
"I do give out change and powder, although many people don't seem to realise this and bolt out the door in search of twenty pence pieces. I also do a service wash which a lot of students appreciate. I try to be helpful. If someone can't pick up their laundry in time then I try to arrange for the porter to let them in after I'm gone. I do enjoy it. I get a lot of students talking to me and buying me Christmas cards and chocolates, so I do feel appreciated.
"Most people are very friendly, although some have annoying habits. For instance some people put their trainers in the washer, which they shouldn't do in the first place, but then they try and dry them in the dryer. What usually happens is that they wander off and the trainers bash against the glass door, and all the washing falls out of the machine.
"One of the strangest things I've found was a set of syringes, which a diabetic customer of mine had accidentally left in his bag. I didn't discover them until I'd already washed and dried them. Most of the needle covers had either come off, which is quite dangerous really, or they had melted onto the needles. I couldn't take his washing out of the drier, because I was afraid of getting jabbed. More than anything though I was worried that he would need his insulin."
As for the mystery surrounding the missing sock syndrome, Lynn's advice is: "always remember to turn the drum round and check it after you've used it, otherwise someone else will end up with your missing sock, or it will sit in lost property for months until it is eventually thrown out."