Dennis: What a man! (From Free Press Series)

Dennis: What a man!

1:48pm Thursday 29th June 2006 in Pontypool news By Lorna Phelan

A LOCAL company has paid tribute to its oldest employee who is still going strong after 17 years service.

85-year-old Dennis Beard, from Lancaster Road, New Inn, was presented with a cake and certificate to celebrate his birthday by bosses Brian and Anne Smith, owners of ASD (Anne Smith Distribution).

Mr Beard joined the company in 1989 after seeing the full time job advertised in the local newsagent.

He now works three mornings a week for the company, which provides a same day national and international courier service, helping out with odd jobs at its based in South Pontypool Industrial Park.

"It's surprising how quickly the time goes," Mr Beard said. "I enjoy working there and Brian and Anne are very good to me. I used to walk to work but now they pick me up each morning and bring me home."

Mr Beard was born in 1921, in Cross Row, Varteg, and was drafted into the army on March 27, 1941.

"I did my square bashing in Prestatyn. I then spent three months in Cardiff Post Office training to be a wireless operator trained by civilians and passed my Group Eddy' reading and sending 15 words a minute."

His military career saw him travel all over the world serving in Egypt, Greece and Italy.

Following his demob Mr Beard worked in Viponds Colliery and he believes it is his work today that keeps him going.

He said: "I think I am one of these people, if I stop working that would be it. I enjoy it. It gets me out of the house and associating with young people and I think that keeps me young."

Mr and Mrs Smith said the company wouldn't be the same without him.

"Dennis often asks me to tell him when he I think he is too old to do the job, but I say he was too old when he came here," Mr Smith joked.

"Everybody thinks a great deal of him."

Mr Smith's wife agreed: "Dennis is unique," she said, "We are very fond of him and would never replace him."