Thank Your Cleaner Day: John Cook and Four Decades of Service

How Did a Few Months Turn Into 40 Years?

John Cook took on a part-time cleaning role in October 1986. He thought it would see him through Christmas. Forty Christmases later, he is still here.

Today he is a Cleaning Supervisor at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, a building that has been open in its present location for just three years longer than John has worked there.

At the time, he worked as a caretaker for a local council, and the cleaning role was meant to be a temporary add on to earn a little extra on the side.

Asked whether he ever imagined he would still be here four decades on, his answer is simple: “No, I only thought I would be here a few months to see me over Christmas; I never imagined I would be here 40 years later!”

What Does the Job Involve?

John and his team look after the courtrooms, public areas, staff facilities and secure areas of a building where people attend every day for matters of real consequence. Much of the work happens behind the scenes, but everyone who uses the building sees its impact.

The building has changed a great deal over the past 40 years. Since first opening in its present location in 1983, Dunfermline Sheriff Court has seen the addition of new courtrooms, while John has watched many sheriffs come and go, getting to know them all along the way.

The court itself has a long history in the local community. Today, it serves a large area of Fife and has joint jurisdiction over the Forth Bridges.

Some things, however, have stayed exactly the same. John still enjoys his role as much today as he did when he started in 1986. Seeing the other side of the judicial system has been eye-opening and has given him a profound respect for the many different roles that come together to support the smooth day-to-day running of the building.

A Supervisor Who Leads With Heart

John treats colleagues as family. He looks forward to coming to work and has a great team around him. Over 40 years, he has worked with many people from different walks of life, and that experience shapes how he supports his team today.

Ask his colleagues to describe him and, in his own words, they might call him “a bit of a grumpy old man.” He says it with a laugh. They would also say he is always happy to help, always ready to listen, and that he has time for everyone no matter what is going on.

For John, the pride is in the belonging. What stands out most is the way the court staff and fellow colleagues take time out of their busy day to stop, have a conversation and include him as part of the wider team.

When asked what he is most proud of across his career, his answer says it all: knowing he makes a difference, feeling at home when he is at work, and staying loyal through every change over the 40 years.

Life Beyond the Court

Away from the court, John spent more than 30 years as manager of Scotland’s darts team, a role that took him all over the world and that he dedicated a big part of his life to. He still loves watching darts, and any kind of sport, in his downtime.

When he is not at work, he travels and spends time with family and friends. His family keep asking when he plans to retire. They think he is mad to still be working, but they know he loves it, and they see it as a real achievement.

John turns 85 in January, and he has no plans to stop. He wants to keep going as long as he can, because he loves his job and would not know what to do without it.

A Career Worth Celebrating

Thank Your Cleaner Day is a moment to recognise the people who keep our places their very best, day in and day out. Few embody that better than John.

Four decades, one court, and a commitment that has never wavered.

Thank you, John.