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50 Good years
07/09/2016
Fred Goodyear, one of our cable Jointers, is celebrating an impressive 50 years of service in the industry.
Fred Goodyear with his certificate for 50 years’ service and South Lincolnshire Distribution Manager Ian Brooks and Network Services Manager Simon Pett.
Fred, who lives in Spalding, south Lincolnshire, joined the company as a 16-year-old in 1966. He started at the depot in Flax Mills in Pinchbeck and has worked in the region ever since.
Over the years Fred has also spent a short stint working as a meter reader and has trained as a multi-skilled craftsman to work on overhead powerlines and in substations.
“When I started, we didn’t have all of the personal protective clothing that we have now that’s part of our live jointing work. In those days, if you made a mistake you learned the hard way and you wouldn’t do it again! Thankfully, health and safety has come on a lot over the years,” said Fred.
Although always based in Spalding, Fred and his colleagues often help restore supplies in other areas of the company if they are worse affected when there are storms.
“On one occasion when we helped out in South Warwickshire, the River Avon had flooded and there were live fish swimming about in the hole where we were working on a cable joint. I’ve never seen anything like that in all my time.”
Fred is planning to retire next February, to spend more time with his wife Angie and to focus on his garden and DIY. The couple are also planning to buy a static caravan at their favourite campsite near the coast.
“I’ve had a good innings and I’m really pleased that I’ve achieved my ultimate goal of reaching fifty years’ service, but I’m looking forward to my retirement now,” he said.
Fred Goodyear is congratulated for his 50 years’ service by his team-mates.
Fred Goodyear with his certificate for 50 years’ service and South Lincolnshire Distribution Manager Ian Brooks and Network Services Manager Simon Pett.
Fred, who lives in Spalding, south Lincolnshire, joined the company as a 16-year-old in 1966. He started at the depot in Flax Mills in Pinchbeck and has worked in the region ever since.
Over the years Fred has also spent a short stint working as a meter reader and has trained as a multi-skilled craftsman to work on overhead powerlines and in substations.
“When I started, we didn’t have all of the personal protective clothing that we have now that’s part of our live jointing work. In those days, if you made a mistake you learned the hard way and you wouldn’t do it again! Thankfully, health and safety has come on a lot over the years,” said Fred.
Although always based in Spalding, Fred and his colleagues often help restore supplies in other areas of the company if they are worse affected when there are storms.
“On one occasion when we helped out in South Warwickshire, the River Avon had flooded and there were live fish swimming about in the hole where we were working on a cable joint. I’ve never seen anything like that in all my time.”
Fred is planning to retire next February, to spend more time with his wife Angie and to focus on his garden and DIY. The couple are also planning to buy a static caravan at their favourite campsite near the coast.
“I’ve had a good innings and I’m really pleased that I’ve achieved my ultimate goal of reaching fifty years’ service, but I’m looking forward to my retirement now,” he said.
Fred Goodyear is congratulated for his 50 years’ service by his team-mates.
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