T&R Theakston is celebrating the life’s work of employee Mike Kitching who retires from the business this month after 50 years of service.
Mike Kitching (centre) with Theakston’s chairman Simon Theakston (left) and managing director Richard Bradbury
One of the longest-serving current employees, Mike joined Theakston’s in 1974 and began his career working on the hand-filled bottling line then used at the almost 200-year-old brewery.
Later moving to the transport department to become one of the Masham drays, Mike delivered Theakston’s beers throughout Yorkshire for more than 40 years.
His dedication to the family brewery withstood a number of changes, including the acquisition by Matthew Brown plc in 1984, who in turn were taken over by Scottish and Newcastle in 1987.
That was before the brewery’s return to family control, when Simon Theakston and his brothers bought the family company back in 2003. Since then, Mike has worked in the brewery, on the racking lines, a role he held until his retirement.
“Always with a winning smile, and a cheerful disposition, Mike has had a wonderful career, dedicated to the service of our company and customers for 50 years,” said chairman Simon Theakston.
“He goes to a richly deserved retirement with the very best wishes and grateful thanks from my family and all our colleagues past and present.”
Mike said: “On joining the brewery, aged 16, I didn’t imagine I’d still be here half a century later. I’d like to thank the company for welcoming me into the family all those years ago and I’m honoured to have spent my working life with a business which is so passionate about not only its products, but its people, too.”
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