John retires after 42 years of loyal service

John Mitchell had pressed garments at Charles Kirk and Company Ltd, in Goring Street, Goring, since 1972.

He has retired to look after his partner Joan, who he met in 1990 through work, following her second stroke.

Charles Kirk said: “John has been a very important part of the success of the company. He was always there and someone you could completely rely on. When you see someone who has worked that hard and for that length of time it leave it is emotional.”

John, 64, of Melville Way, in Goring, said his time at Charles Kirk had been happy and was ‘a good laugh’.

He added that he wanted to thank his colleagues and was surprised to receive gifts when he left.

To mark John’s retirement, Charles made a speech in which he offered his thanks for all the work John had done. He was presented with a cheque and flowers from the company, and vouchers and a cake from his fellow workers.

It is estimated that John had pressed more than three million garments over the course of his career.

“It’s extraordinary really,” said Charles. “He’s done it really well and very professionally. He’s been a very loyal servant to the company for all those years.”

Charles Kirk and Company was set up in 1939 as a manufacturer of ladies fashion before moving into schoolwear in the sixties.

The company’s ethos is ‘made in Great Britain, made with care and made for the adventure of learning’.