NFU commends worker who has stuck with same Cheshire farming family for fifty years
Is there any room left for loyalty in today's fast moving working world? Speak to those who work in the health care profession, high profile sports, local authorities or middle management and they all talk about pulling knives from their backs.
So what would they make of 73 year old Gordon Brown. Gordon has worked for the same farming family for the last 50 years – now there's loyalty for you!
A shy retiring type of man, Gordon began working for the Warburton farming family at Depmore Farm in Kingsley, Cheshire back in 1949. Now working for NFU members Graham and Geoffrey Warburton, Gordon also worked for both their father and grandfather. He actually started working at the Warburton's Hattley Farm before moving onto Depmore.
The Warburton family recently held a special celebration to thank Gordon for his fifty years loyal service. He was presented with a model tractor collectable, champagne and a celebration cake.
Commenting on Gordon's loyalty, NFU Cheshire County Chairman, Richard Clegg, said: "They sadly don't make them like Gordon anymore. When you come to replace workers from Gordon's era it becomes very difficult to find people of the same calibre who have a wide range of farm skills and don't mind getting their hands dirty.
"When you have staff like that you don't have to worry about leaving the farm or being incapacitated for any length of time. They are people you can trust who become dear friends."
After receiving his gifts, Gordon said: "The Warburton family have been very good to me and I view them as a second family. I enjoy working with them. They are great company and I have a laugh with them every day."
At the celebration, Geoffrey Warburton added: "As a child I always thought of Gordon as the shy man who used to smoke. Little did we know then what a top man he would turn out to be. He sadly had to leave the farm back in 2001 to look after his late wife Mary. However, we asked him to come back part time in 2003. He has been a huge help to both me and my brother and we really do appreciate him."
