AFTER working at the same company for 50 years Dennis Griggs thought he knew everything about his work, but he is still in shock today after they threw him an amazing farewell bash.

AFTER working at the same company for 50 years Dennis Griggs thought he knew everything about his work, but he is still in shock today after they threw him an amazing farewell bash.

On the morning of his 65th birthday his colleagues at Cowells Arrow picked him up in a limo and decked out the printing company's Lovetofts Drive factory in balloons and banners to mark half a century of service.

Dennis said: “I haven't had a day like this since I joined the company - it's only taken 50 years.

“I had a bit of a shock that morning; now I think a limo is the only way to travel to work!”

But the dad-of-two, who admits he is a “dinosaur” of the printing community, said he enjoyed nearly every minute of his time with the company across three different sites in Ipswich.

He said: “I was very lucky to get the apprenticeship with Cowells.

“Printing is a great industry to be in and since I have been there things have got even better.

“But I am looking forward to my retirement and I intend to play golf and do all the jobs around the house I have been putting off.”

However some people aren't looking forward to him leaving.

Keith Rayson, who worked with him for 44 years, said: “I'll certainly miss him.

“If it's going to happen it will happen to Dennis.

“We had a young lady who caught her clothes in the press and by the time Dennis got over to her she had hardly any clothes left on.

“He did the gentlemanly thing though and gave her his boiler suit.”

And Brian Connaughton, who was Dennis' boss until his last day at work on Thursday, said: “You get told before about people like Dennis before you're introduced to them.

“It's humbling when you mange people who have forgotten more about printing than you are ever likely to know.

“Fifty years with one company is a monumental achievement.”

Weblink: www.cowellsarrow.co.uk