COMPANY long server Keith Brame is celebrating after notching up 50 years with the same family firm.Mr Brame, who starting working for the Stennett family business in July 1959, was presented with a gold watch at a ceremony at haulage and bulk storage specialists Stennetts Transport, based at Ingham, near Bury St Edmunds.

COMPANY long server Keith Brame is celebrating after notching up 50 years with the same family firm.

Mr Brame, who starting working for the Stennett family business in July 1959, was presented with a gold watch at a ceremony at haulage and bulk storage specialists Stennetts Transport, based at Ingham, near Bury St Edmunds.

“When I started work with C Stennett and Son at the age of 15, I was a farm labourer, but I had worked on the farm for many years before assisting with any jobs that were available such as carting bales and stacking them with a pitchfork, it was hard work but good fun,” he said.

He married Sylvia in 1967 and Charlie Stennett offered the couple a cottage to live in.

Roy Stennett took over the business when Charlie retired. Mr Brame was still a farm labourer until his son Malcolm diversified into transport and he chose to join him in the workshop.

He is now M C Stennett and Sons workshop foreman and looks after a fleet of lorries and trailers.

“Although I am now 65 and of retiring age I feel pretty fit, so am looking forward to staying at Stennett's and probably working a little less. This will give me some time for gardening, which I enjoy and a little more time for decorating,” he said.

“The workshop will be well looked after though, as Malcolm, my son is the other mechanic.”