Ernie's long service award

Ernie was with his colleagues from the Balcombe Estate in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, when Balcombe Forestry and Sawmill Manager Jamie Kirkman let Ernie, who had retired in April, in on the secret – he was to receive an award for his 37 years service.

Ernie had started in the woodworking industry at Mid-Sussex Timber after leaving school, and worked with Tilgate Pallets before joining his brother Dave cutting timber, pulp and firewood poles, and hauling them to whichever mill wanted the produce.

Jamie explained: “In the mid 70’s Ernie started with Balcombe Estate under the watchful eye of Ken Lewis, who says that Ernie has always been a willing worker and pleased to help out, I am pleased to say that is still true today.

“A harder worker I have never met, and this was demonstrated last year when our firewood processor was out of action. At 64 Ernie still wielded the axe like a twenty year old, and when the first three orders had been cut, split and delivered by breakfast, I started to doubt the need for our firewood processor.”

Balcombe Estate owner, Simon Greenwood, was there to see the presentation by RFS SE Division past chairman Donald MacDonald