'Legendary' colleagues finally retire after 60 and 45 years working for family firm

Lauded as ‘legends’ and ‘stalwarts’ by bosses at Lee-Dickens, Valerie Flude and Michael Cunnew were given a final farewell at the firm’s Rushton Road HQ.

The dedicated colleagues have helped evolve different aspects of the business that designs and manufactures monitoring and control systems. Michael has finished his career in quality control, while ‘Salary’ Valerie has always worked in accounts.

Managing director Gyles Dickens, joined by his brother Mark, paid tribute to the ‘stalwarts and legends’.

He said: “They are not just two employees, but true stalwarts – legends. We are sad to see them go, but we always stay in touch with our staff – they always come back. It is like a family.”

Northamptonian Michael joined the firm in 1966, at the tender age of 16 years and two months as a ‘wireman’.

Originally called Yale Automation, the factory was located in the basement of the Dickens Brothers Tannery in Kettering Road.

In 1970, the company’s relocation saw Michael begin what would become 56 years of commuting from Dallington to Desborough – a round trip of 38 miles.

He moved from the shopfloor to production manager and finally into the quality department.

Reflecting on why he stuck with the same company for so long, Michael, 76, said: “I like the people and I like the work. I got up in the morning and didn’t resent coming to work. I came here, did what I was supposed to do and got satisfaction from it. People here tend to stay for a long time.”

Michael had already been working at the company for 15 years when Valerie arrived at Lee-Dickens in June 1981, to work in the yet-to-be computerised accounts department – she used a typewriter and carbon paper.

Desborough resident Valerie liked being able to walk to work and her accurate approach to the books saw her a much-needed member of staff.

Mark Dickens said: “She is a thoroughly diligent, reliable and unflappable. I estimate she’s made well over a million data entries.”

Valerie, 66, will use her time volunteering in the community and is looking forward to travelling.

She said: “Just one year just rolled into the next. The best thing has been the colleagues, we are like a little family – there are only 20 of us.”

Michael will now set to tidying out his garage, decorating his home, gardening and travelling around the UK.

Joking, he added: “What they don’t know is that I’m retiring after 60 years, but I’ll come back and do another 60 years!”

Michael and Valerie will keep in touch making use of their bus passes for meet-ups in Kettering.