After 31 years of loyal service Kevin Townsend, Environmental Manager, retired from Wilkin & Sons. Speaking on Kevin’s final day Walter Scott, Chairman of the company, said that he and Kevin went back 31 years and he recalled their meeting with Patrick Pica from the Environmental Agency who identified opportunities to introduce more ways to minimise waste and reuse or recycle. “We were ahead of our time and led the way to minimising waste and reuse items whenever possible: some of our plastic buckets even went to the whelk industry!

“Thank you, Kevin; you may have only come as a temp for two weeks, now 31 years later you have made a huge contribution to the business with your knowledge, advice and passion for the environment, we wish you well.”

Kevin responded: “it is a pretty sad day for me as I have made loads of friends here; I look forward to the future with excitement and trepidation. My first job as a temp was in the boiler room and I then moved to production where I concentrated on minimising waste at every opportunity.” Kevin concluded, “as the environmental and sustainability side of the business grows you will be in safe hands with James Waters. Thank you all; I am now going to concentrate on my art skills and hope to exhibit in London, so that will be exciting.”

Kevin helped to plant a Lime Tree which is planted in the garden of the Tiptree Tea Room, this has a plaque honouring Kevin’s sustainability achievements for the business over the last 3 decades.

Kevin was presented with a very special pair of boots from the staff and everyone shared a celebration cake made by Tiptree Patisserie.