Arriva Tamworth has said farewell to one of the business’ longest serving employees last week, as he headed off on a well-earned retirement.
Having started as a bus conductor for what was then Midland Red, 65-year-old Raymond Howell, who joined the company in the summer of 1974, is waving goodbye to Arriva and a career spanning four decades.
Ray has consistently been a safe pair of hand at the depot, fulfilling a number of roles, most recently combining Washman, Regulator and Relief Duty Manager.
To bid him farewell, the colleagues past and present joined him for a celebratory meal, and gave him a ‘This is Your Life’ book and some inscribed brandy glasses (and complimentary tipple) as a memento of his time with the business.
Former General Manager, Alistair Timmis, says: “He is a true legend. A genuine character, a real gentleman, and an absolute credit to Arriva.
“We can’t thank him enough for all his years of hard work and dedication. He will be greatly missed by colleagues and customers alike.”
Ray hopes to retire up to North Yorkshire with his wife, Jean, in the future.
