Dessie retires after nearly 50 years (From Western Telegraph)

Dessie retires after nearly 50 years

DESSIE Johns, of Johnston, retired last week after 49 years in the same job, with the same company.

He was a 16-year-old carpentry apprentice when he joined James Ratford Bridge back in 1956.

The business and the trade have changed a lot in that time, including the modernisation of the machinery.

"It was all done with hand tools back then," he said.

Mr Johns was not tempted to stay on another year to reach a half century. "I told my family I would retire on my 65th birthday and that was my last day of work."

That was on March 19th, but the company that builds doors, windows, stairwells, kitchens and floors, have not seen the last of the St Ishmaels-born carpenter. He plans to carry on doing odd jobs for the business.

He is also looking forward to spending more time with his wife, two sons, two daughters and seven grandchildren who live in the area.

As to whether they are looking forward to seeing more of him: "We will have to wait and see on that one," he joked.