‘He’s dedicated his life to us, man and boy’ – Bridger Packaging stalwart finally takes semi-retirement after 50 years at the firm
David Ostick, who has now worked at Bridger Packaging for 50 years, with managing director Lawrence Bridger. - Credit: Archant
An ever-present Letchworth packaging stalwart is finally taking semi-retirement after 50 years at the company he joined as a teenager – and his boss is thanking him by sending him on holiday.
David Ostick, nicknamed ‘Ozzie’, joined Bridger Packaging on October 3, 1966 – half a century ago this Monday – at the tender age of 15, and has worked for the firm through thick and thin ever since.
“It’s a great atmosphere here,” said David, who moved to the garden city as a child and went to Norton Road School.
“I’ve met loads of people and it’s been great, it really has. It’s sad that I’ll be calling it a day.
“People have said to me, ‘Oh, you’ll have done 50 years’ – but lots of people here have done 40 plus!”
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David’s not quite done yet, either. He’ll be working reduced hours, two days a week, in semi-retirement.
Managing director Lawrence Bridger, whose grandad TD Bridger started the firm in north London back in 1927 before it moved to Letchworth in 1958, laughed as he told the Comet David could remember him as a little boy.
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And he added that to thank David for his half century’s service, he was paying for him and his wife to have a week’s holiday in Madeira.
“It’s the least I can do,” said Mr Bridger. “He has dedicated his entire life to this company, man and boy.
“Dave’ll do anything you ask of him and never moan. He’s moved all around the firm and there’s scarcely anything he hasn’t done. He’s just a great bloke and we’re proud of all we’ve achieved with him.”
David will be celebrating the milestone at the Three Horsehoses in Norton Road from 6pm tonight.
