Published: Thursday, 1st May, 2008 09:15
Gordon always went that extra mile
By Adam Hewitt
Comments (0)
Print Article
Gordon Hamblin
Pic by: Adam Hewitt
IT’S ALL change at Earley Station, where a well-loved ticket collector is retiring after an incredible 45 years of service.
Gordon Hamblin has worked at the station since September 1962 when he was just 19, and is now finally taking his well-earned retirement at 65.
He said: “I won’t miss the early mornings and getting up at 4.30am, but I have mixed feelings after leaving after so long. There’s obviously a lot of memories here.”
Wellwishers dropped in to say goodbye to Mr Hamblin throughout his final day on Saturday.
John Louth, who has been commuting to Oxford from Earley for 11 years, said: “We all think of him fondly - he’s hilariously laid back, people always want to have a go at him about late trains and he’s constantly telling them to relax.”
Mr Hamblin spoke of the time he rescued a rugby fan on his way home from a game when he slipped between the train and the platform, and said: “It always brings back memories on days like today when there’s lots of people travelling to Twickenham for the London Irish game.”
His friend Susan Wallis said: “He’s a part of Earley. He goes out of his way to give that extra bit of help to people, especially older people, and just goes that extra mile.”
His colleague Malcolm Griffiths added: “Everyone who knows him and all the staff wish him well. He’ll take with him a great deal of knowledge about the railway, and has always been a great help to me in particular.”
Mr Hamblin has two children and lives with his wife Beulah in Tilehurst.
Further Details
