90-year-old mechanic retires after 75 years at same company
A 90-year-old Vauxhall mechanic has finally hung up his tools after working for the same company for 75 years, saying continuing to work there helped keep him young.
Bryan Webb was presented with a ceremonial spanner by colleagues at his farewell, where a plaque made in his honour was also unveiled.
Bryan Webb (left) with local branch director Julian Bawdown (right) after his plaque was unveiled. Image: Vauxhall
Mr Webb said he would miss working but looked forward to having a cup of tea and a sleep in the afternoons.
“I always thought if you kept working it kept you young,” he told the BBC.
“If you work it keeps you going, it gets you up in the morning to get out.”
Mr Webb started at the company in 1946 as a mechanical apprentice after walking into Hough & Whitmore garage in Gloucester.
Bryan Webb (third from left) pictured shortly after starting work as a mechanical apprentice in 1946. Image: Vauxhall
Since then he has gone on to hold several other roles, including a 34-year stint as a warranty administrator.
“I was in workshop control and working with trucks and cars,” he said.
“You had to wash engines off out in the cold and it was hard work in the early days but things change, cars change, and when you strip an engine now it’s clean rather than being full of muck.
“The biggest change I’ve seen in my career is new technology coming in,” he added.
In 1970, Mr Webb was recognised for 25 years of service and was handed a commemorative watch, which he still wears today.
Mr Webb received a ceremonial spanner from his colleagues at his farewell party. Image: BBC
He said that when he turned 65 he would stay on “for a couple of years, and it turned into 25”.
Local branch director Julian Bawdon - who joined the company in 2008 - said he asked Mr Webb how much longer he would stay with the company.
#Vauxhall wishes one of its longest-serving staff members a happy retirement, ending a 75-year career with the company. Bryan Webb began work for @Vauxhall in 1946, after walking into his local garage & by the age of 26, he was already workshop foreman. 👉https://t.co/e4zCDuiPGD pic.twitter.com/JwjgKI5Zvr
— Vauxhall PR (@VauxhallPR) October 28, 2021
“I said to him as long as he can still do the job he can carry on, and here we are today with 75 years service,” he said.
“He’s bright as a button. Bryan’s a character and we’ll all miss having him around.”
Image: Vauxhall