Port of King's Lynn - Associated British Ports

Staff General - Including Presentations


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All Photographs taken by John Barrett LRPS © Copyright dates as shown.




RETIREMENT - THOMAS BARNARD (TOM) - Thursday 30th June 2016.

Tom started working for British Transport Docks Board at King's Lynn Docks (BTDB) on 25th September 1972. It was in 1981 that the company changed its name to Associated British Ports (ABP). He celebrated his last day at the docks on Thursday 30th June 2016, his official retirement date. Tom has completed 43 Years 9 months service at the docks. (44 years on 25 September 2016).

All Photographs taken by John Barrett LRPS © Copyright 2016.


Tom Barnard Retires

(Photo above ref: 16/063693)


Tom's Service Career 25/09/1972 to 30/06/2016.

TOM Henry BARNARD joined the Port of King's Lynn (BTDB) on 25th September 1972 working as a general dutyman within the Port Engineer's department. He recalls many of the other staff who also worked with him when he started work with the Chargehand Tom Hastings, the others were:- Jimmy Dexter, Peter Skippon, Brian Bone, Richard Adams, Dave Mitchelson (Ron's son) and Frank Wright.

The "general dutymen" were very adaptable and covered many of the relief duties for all the departments within the company, mainly covering for holidays and sick leave. This group of men carried out many of the on-going maintenance tasks around the docks as well as working in the skilled sections as Assistant to Craft Grades (ACG's) including the Carpenters' shop, Painters, Relief Gearman, Mechanical and Electrical departments. Tom spent six months with the electricians.

Tom recalls shift work working on tide duties, and as a Dock Gateman (Watchman - Security), working with others operating the lock gates and Cross Bank Road swing bridges. Tom also did relief duties on the Port's own dredger Mv Breckland with Capt Reg Baker and his crew.

In July 1977 Tom was promoted to the position of Dockgateman.

In 1984 he started Stevedore Training and was a promoted to Stevedore in 1986.

In 2009 Tom was promoted to "Operations Superintendent".

In 1989 when the Dockers "jobs for life" was scrapped Tom became more involved with cargo handling at the port (like many others). He enjoyed working on ships and operating fork trucks. Tom said he always enjoyed his years working at the port, every day gave different challenges for him and his staff. He made a lot of friends at the port over the 44 years and has seen a great many changes.

With Tom Barnard leaving the Docks it ends a long family history of the Barnards who have worked at the port:-

His brother A J Barnard (Jim) started working at the Dock as a Dock Foreman (stu) on 22nd May 1956 and retired as Assistant Operations Manager in December 1990, having worked at the docks for 34 years.

Jim's wife Pat Barnard (Tom's sister-in-law) started working at the port (in the Dock office) as Paybill Clerk on 19th January 1970 and retired as Senior Paybill Clerk, having completed 20 years service.

Finally Tom's Father Bert Barnard worked at the Dock as Stevedore Foreman having worked at the port as a RDW (Registered Dock Worker) from the second world war and retiring as Stevedore Foreman in 1968 after 11 years service at the dock.

Tom celebrated his 63rd birthday on Saturday 2nd July 2016.

Many of Tom's working colleagues got together on Thursday 30th June 2016 to wish him a happy and long retirement. At the presentation Simon Stafford Allen gave an amusing run down of Tom's working life at the port. (This will be added to the website soon).

Tom and his wife Maria are looking forward to his son Paul's wedding next month, and having holidays to celebrate their 40th Wedding Anniversary.


Tom Barnard Retires

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Presentation photographs.


Tom Barnard Retires

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Photographs taken Tom 29th June 2016.







Link to "Simon Stafford Allen's resume" (an amusing and entertaining read). (View Now) 

Last updated on 19 Jan 2017.

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RETIREMENT - DONALD BIRDSEYE - Wednesday 23rd December 2015.

Donald started working for British Transport Docks Board at King's Lynn Docks (BTDB) on 11th July 1977, it was in 1981 that the company changed it's name to Associated British Ports (ABP). He celebrated his last day at the docks on Wednesday 23rd December 2015. His official retirement date is 31st December 2015. He will then have completed 38 Years 5 months 20 days.

All Photographs taken by John Barrett LRPS © Copyright 2015.


Donald Birdseye

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Donald's Service Career.

DONALD BIRDSEYE joined the Port of King's Lynn (BTDB) on 11th July 1977 working as a general duty man within the Port Engineer's department. He recalls many of the other staff who also worked with him when he started: Frank Wright, Bob King, Tony Anderson, Tom Barnard, John Reeks, Peter Skippon, Percy Clearey and David Hare. The "general duty men" were very adaptable and covered many of the relief duties for all the departments within the company, mainly covering for holidays and sick leave. This group of men carried out many of the on-going maintenance tasks around the docks as well as working in the skilled sections as Assistance to Craft Grades (ACG's) including the Carpenters shop, Painters, Mechanical and Electrical departments. Donald recalls the tide duties (shift-work) working with others operating the lock gates and Cross Bank Road swing bridges, he also did relief duties on the Ports own dredger. Another important task was the duty of "Waterman", this involved supplying the ships with drinking water as and when required. Donald became an ACG in December 1997. In recent years Donald spent the majority of his time working in the central stores.

Donald has been one of the "First Aiders" at the port and received his 25 year award in 2005. He was an active member of the Docks Sports & Social club till it was disbanded several years ago.

In 1989 when the Dockers "jobs for life" was scrapped Donald became more involved with cargo handling at the port (like many others). He enjoyed working on ships and operating fork trucks. In more recent years Donald's main duties have been as storeman and van driver, it's quite rare for him to get involved with the operations side of the business. Donald said he enjoyed his years working at the port and has seen many changes in his 38+ years service. He negotiated to cut down his hours to a three-day week and planned to take early retirement to spend more time with his wife Linda who also retired from work in May 2013. They look forward to having more time together walking.

Donald celebrated his 63rd birthday on 2nd December 2015. He has had 20 year's service in the scouting movement, he is a fellowship member and meets regularly each month, also working on the maintenance at the Wolferton Camp site most weeks. He is also a quartermaster for the district scouting association.

Many of Donald's working colleagues got together on Wednesday 23rd December 2015 to wish him a happy and long retirement. At the presentation Paul Freeman (Maintenance Manager King's Lynn) said that Donald started his working career as a painter and decorator with Archers, he then moved on to work for Dornay Foods before joining the Port of King's Lynn following the traditional father and son route when he joined the docks (then BTDB) as his father Harold worked at the docks as an Electrician from 1948 to 1971. Paul said Donald had worked for the company for almost 38-and-a- half-years for which he thanked him. Three years after joining the company he became a first aider and was for 35 years. He ran the stores from the early 2000s and it was only in 2013 he was finally given the correct job title of Store Man! He was a member of the dock Oil Response Team that is headed by the Dock Master, he was a union member throughout. Paul said Donald enjoyed many hobbies: a keen Philatelist (Stamp Collecting) and is currently Chairman of the King's Lynn Club - 2015, Walking, Cycling & Scouting, also has been an active member of FLUA and fenline users association and has been for many years and he understands one of his first projects is to help his brother David on his allotment. Jan Driver presented Donald with a bouquet of flowers for his wife Linda.


Donald Birdseye Retires

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Donald Birdseye Retires

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Last updated on 30 December 2015.

Donald's father Harold also worked at the docks from 23 February 1948 to June 1971. (Click to view full details of Harold G E Birdseye 21 years Service at the Port of King's Lynn).

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RETIREMENT - TREVOR C MASON - CRANEDRIVER.

Trevor started at King's Lynn Docks on 2nd April 1984 and retired on Friday 13th November 2015 (31 Years 6 months)

All Photographs taken by John Barrett LRPS © Copyright 2015.


Trevor Mason Retires

(Photo above ref: 03/DSC3961)


Trevor's Service Career.

TREVOR MASON joined the Port of King's Lynn (BTDB) on 2nd April 1984 as a general duty man, it was at a time when around 200 staff worked at the port. This included around 100 staff who were employed under the NDLB scheme. They were known as the "Dockers" and as such all were employed to handle the cargo (imports/exports) including the operation of the cranes and various plant (forktrucks and shovel loaders etc). Of the other 100 the largest department was the engineer's department who carried out all the maintenance of the plant and equipment on the estate, the only trade not representing was plumbing. There were had around 20 "General duty men" and these men were possibly one of the most important group within the Port Engineer's Department. This group of men carried out many of the on-going maintenance tasks including small and large road repairs (asphalt), white lining of roads, assisting the diving crew with fendering repairs, shift work for the tidal and security gate duties on a relief basis, assisting electricians, maintenance fitters, carpenters, and the crane maintenance gang. Trevor spent several years carrying out all sorts of tasks within these departments but he enjoyed it and became very skilled at crane driving for the crane gang.

In 1989: Dockers "jobs for life" was scrapped and Trevor passed out as a qualified crane driver and this gave him an opportunity to take up the position from maintenance crane driver to fully qualified crane driver handling all types of cargo. He also enjoyed working on ships and operating fork trucks etc, a job he enjoyed till his retirement on Friday 13th November 2015 (his 65th Birthday).

Many of Trevor's working colleagues got together on Friday to wish him a happy retirement after serving the port of Lynn for almost 28 years.



Trevor Mason Retires

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Trevor Mason Retires

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A Personal Note to Trevor.

Trevor you were always a member of staff I could rely upon, you were never late and always had a cheerful manner that was so infectious to others. Good health, I wish you a very happy and long retirement.

John Barrett (retired 2000)



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Last updated on 15th November 2015.




RETIREMENT PRESENTATION - Capt. BARRY GUYTON - Dock Master.

10th October 1987 to 30th June 2015 (27 Years 8 months)

All Photographs taken by John Barrett LRPS © Copyright 2015.


Barry Guyton Retires

Click on above to see 9 photographs

(Photo above ref: 15/061182b)


Further photographs to be added.

BARRY GUYTON: A small gathering of staff took place in ABP's office on Friday 5th June 2015 to acknowledge Barry's almost 28 years service working at the Port of King's Lynn.

On behalf of the Port Manager Jan Driver (Administration manager) gave a brief resume of Barry's service at the port and stressed that the position Barry held is possibly the most unsocial job at the port with working different tide duties each day. She said that Barry had always given his all and he could always be relied upon to take command of the changes in any situation that arose, this included all the additional tasks brought about due to safety regulations and those concerning the Port's security. She thanked Barry for his loyalty and support that he gave to others. She wished him and his wife Lynne a happy retirement and handed Barry a bouquet for his wife.

Barry thanked all the staff at King's Lynn for the gifts, and the support from all at the docks over the years, he said it would have been impossible to carry out his job as Dock Master without all the help.

As many of the staff could not attend the presentation due to cargo handling at the Port, staff had arranged an evening get together later.

Barry's Service Career.

Barry started at King's Lynn after his wife Lynne spotted a vacancy advertised in the Lynn News for a Mate for the Port of King's Lynn's Dredger "Lenne Regis". Barry applied for the position and after all the relevant interviews he was appointed.

Barry started as a deck cadet officer with Harrison Line in 1969 and served deep sea until 1973, finishing as 3rd Officer, he then went up for 2nd mates certificate. Following this in late 1973 he joined Buries Markes on their bulk carriers, which he did until he joined Wimpey in 1981 as 2nd mate to learn a new trade. He was promoted to his first command in 1976. Barry was at sea with Wimpey Marine on their Anchor Handling tug supply ships, having moved to King's Lynn from London when he got married in April 1975. Wimpey at the time were selling off ships and reducing their profile in the North Sea so he was looking for another job.

Barry took up the post at the Port of King's Lynn as Marine Supervisor in April 88. During the first few months he was asked to take a pilot exemption exam so he could relieve on the dredger, and was then able to use this when we started to use the "Cherry Sand" dredger at King's Lynn.

Barry was promoted to Dock Master in May 2000 when Capt Peter Howard retired as Dock Master.

As Dock Master Barry took over the responsibility for the planning and safe movement of all vessels within ABP's jurisdiction, providing advice on marine matters to the port manager and port users, and ensuring compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code by means of a Safety Management System based on the PMSC and risk assessment/safe systems of work etc. Components of his position were the regular surveying and dredging to maintain safe navigation, and updating and renewing contingency plans such as the oil spill, ships waste and flood contingency plans.

After 9/11 the USA required all countries which wished to trade with it to comply with a security framework which is the International Ship and Port Security Code, and Barry was security vetted and trained to become first deputy Port Facility Security Officer taking over as PFSO at King's Lynn.

This involved checking pre-arrival notifications from all vessels, conducting drills and exercises and keeping an up to date Security Plan for ABP King's Lynn.

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Last updated on 2 July 2015 07:44.




LONG SERVICE PRESENTATION 10th April 2014

All Photographs taken by John Barrett LRPS © Copyright 2015.


Double long Service Award at the Port of King's Lynn.


Tony Cooper

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Photo ref: Photo ref: 14/055810

(a) A G COOPER (Tony): On Thursday 10th April 2014 - Alastair MacFarlane, Port Manager for East Anglia, made a presentation of vouchers at the King's Lynn office to Tony Cooper who had completed 40 years at the King's Lynn Docks.

Alastair MacFarlane, Port Manager for East Anglia presented some vouchers from the company.

Tony who started on 8th April 1974 at the age of 17 has seen many changes in his time at the port, he started in the port engineers department as a stores assistant moving on to electricians/fitters assistant, tide and security gate relief's.

During this time Tony spent many years as a crane driver for maintenance tasks for the port engineers department, and like others when the National Dock Labour Board scheme was abolished in 1989 he joined the cargo handling side of the business and now operates many specialised cargo handling equipment Cranes, diggers, forklift trucks etc his main role now is foreman/stevedore.


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Tony Bowman

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Photo ref: Photo ref: 14/055799

(b) TONY J BOWMAN: On Thursday 10th April 2014 - Alastair MacFarlane, Port Manager for East Anglia, made a second presentation at the King's Lynn office, this time to Tony Bowman who had completed 40 years at the Port of King's Lynn.

Alastair MacFarlane, Port Manager for East Anglia (left) presented some vouchers from the company.

Tony joined the King's Lynn Docks (BTDB - British Transport Docks Board) on 15th November 1973 at the age of 20, started in the Port Engineer's department as a Greaser and spent many years on the maintenance of the cranes. As such the "Crane Gang" as it was known carried out many of the specialised tasks that included maintaining the many steel wire ropes, and on some occasions working on the removal and replacement of crane jibs. In the early days the team used to carry out the regular wire rope inspections.


Tony spent many years with the crane gang and during that time became qualified to operate the cranes. It was when the port was busy or when other drivers being sick or on holiday he would be called upon to load and discharge the ships. Tony had to wait until a vacancy was available before he could become one of the main crane drivers.

By the time the National Dock Labour Board Scheme (that was set-up in 1947) was abolished in 1989 Tony was made-up to a full crane driver with the new ABP team of cargo handlers at the port.

During any slack periods Tony loves to be creative with his wood working skills, he is often called upon when something needs to be built of timber, he has many skills including plumbing and building works.

Tony's family have been very much part of the docks, Tony's father (Jim W Bowman) a one time registered dock worker 1970-89 in the days of the NDLB scheme, was also very skilled with his hands and was involved with a few boat building projects - See photograph of MV Jean Howard PC002508.

Tony's grandfather (Ransom) also worked at the docks and his father's grandfather worked at the docks - Tony knows he died on 22nd September 1914. (if anyone can supply any further information about this - please contact: John Barrett who will forward any information to Tony)


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PRESENTATION 11th October 2013



Michael L Bray "Retires after 42 of years of Loyal Service at the Port of King's Lynn"


Photo ref: Photo ref: 13/053740 - 11 Oct 13

Michael Bray

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11th October 2013 - Michael Bray (Engineering Supervisor) Retires.

After 42 years' service at the Port of King's Lynn Michael decided to apply for retirement. Michael unfortunately has not been in the best of health having had a major operation on his back a few years ago and more recently being diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease.

Alastair MacFarlane, Port Manager for East Anglia (including King's Lynn), said: Michael joined the docks maintenance team as Maintenance Mechanic on the 26th April 1971, he quickly became a valued member of the maintenance team. Michael was made shop steward in 1987, and in January 1989 promoted to Foreman Fitter, October 1989 promoted to Workshop Supervisor and finally in 2004 he was promoted to Engineering Supervisor.

Paul Freeman, maintenance manager at King's Lynn presented Michael's wife Rita with a bouquet of flowers and said:- He was sad to see Michael go but fully understood his reasons. Paul thanked him for more than 42 years service at the port. He had always been an extremely important member of staff and Paul added a special thank you for his friendship and working relationship over the years. Paul added that Michael had made his job so much easier.

Michael was presented with a number of gifts: Money was presented by Ian Gray on behalf of the docks staff and many others who worked at the port.

Gifts were presented by Robert and Mark Sayer of Drake Towage of Wisbech; Andrew Marshall, Sales and After Sales Liebherr Great Britain Ltd, Aaron Willis also from Liebherr Great Britain Ltd (one time ABP Fitter) presented a gift from the engineers at Liebherr who had worked at King's Lynn. Another gift was presented from a ex-employee ABP - David Franklin, who presented Michael with a plaque that he had made as a keen woodworker - the wood used came from the Bentinck Passage water hydraulic pump house that originally had pressure gauges mounted on it. It was part of the equipment used to operate the swing bridges & lock gates etc. David had purchased three modern-day brass instruments and mounted them on this timely reminder. Michael thanked David for all his hard work and he said he and Rita could enjoy this at home, it had a barometer-thermometer and clock. It will be one of Michael's first projects to mount it on his wall now he has retired.

Michael said:- I would like to thank all the staff and contractors who have given me gifts for my retirement, it was most unexpected. How time flies, it only seems like yesterday that I started. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working at the port of King's Lynn and all the staff have been a pleasure to work with, we have been a great team and I shall miss them all. I have seen lots of changes in my time at the port.


Photo ref: 13/053621 - 1st Oct 13

Michael Bray

Click on above to see all 19 photographs (last updated 22/01/2015)

MICHAEL'S RECOLLECTIONS:

I began my career in mechanical engineering as an apprentice at Mann Egertons in King's Lynn, then after a period at the CITB at Bircham Newton I joined the docks, that was on 26th April 1971 at the age of 23.

In my time at the docks I have seen more than seven different Port Managers. I have been involved with many of the changes at the port with the introductions of new methods of cargo handling and technology with new cranes, Ro/Ro terminal in the Alexandra dock, tug-masters, fork trucks, lock gates, grain silos etc.

At one time King's Lynn did have it's own purpose built dredger "MV Breckland" built in 1960, this worked most days in the Alexandra and Bentinck Docks, King's Lynn. We also had our own diving team but both these have all gone now. I recall that at one time in my earlier days there were around 100 staff employed at the docks plus another 100 who worked for the National Dock Labour Board. When the NDLB scheme ended in 1989 the staff levels dropped considerably and many of the Port's own staff were introduced to cargo handling for the first time. Many of the office, marine and engineering staff were called upon to assist with the discharging and loading of ships' cargoes. Staff were retrained to drive cranes and operate other port handing equipment.

The introduction of Health & Safety changed many of the ways the port operated, and all staff were regularly attending courses at the Ports own Training College at King's Lynn. But this has now gone, most of the training is now carried out in-house or at the port of Ipswich.

The workload has changed drastically in recent years, I remember the days when the only outside contractor we used was a plumber. We had our own carpenters' shop, welders and welding shop, divers and diving barge, plate layers department who maintained all the rail track within the dock estate, we had water hydraulics that operated lock gates, two swing bridges and sluice gates that flushed the Fisher Fleet (all changed to oil hydraulic now) thankfully. We maintained it all in those days. It was hard work.

I think I am the first member of staff at King's Lynn to have worked beyond my birthday, the company had always been very strict about this. Since the change in the law I had to apply to take retirement. I celebrated my 65th birthday last Saturday 5th October at my home in Ingoldisthorpe with my wife Rita.

It's been announced in the last few days that Ian Gray (currently one of the electricians) will be taking on my role as engineering supervisor with immediate effect. I have known Ian since he started with us in 1989, he is very familiar with all the equipment we maintain. I am sure together with the remaining engineering staff I will leave the port in safe hands. I wish Ian and all remaining staff all the best for the future.

All Photographs on this page taken by John Barrett LRPS © 2013

Last updated on 23 January 2015 - 19th Photograph.

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PRESENTATIONS

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Tom Barnard: Operations Superintendent 40 Years and Barry Guyton: Dock Master 25 Year service.

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Stan Rix and Mick Fulcher Presentations 29 Oct 04.

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Reg Lakes retirement presentation

Reg Lake Retirement - 29th April 1972

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Michael Bray "40 Year Long Service Award".

Photo ref: 11/043781 May 11

Michael Bray 40 Year Long Service Award - photographs

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May 2011 - Michael Bray - Docks stalwart praised.

After 40 years of hard work at Lynn's port Michael Bray can enjoy a well-deserved holiday.

The Engineering supervisor was presented with holiday vouchers to mark his long service to the company.

Michael Bray 62, of Ingoldisthorpe, began his career as a fitter and worked his way up through the ranks to engineering supervisor. He said: "Time flies, it only seems like yesterday that I started. It's an enjoyable place to work and we all get on well."

Paul Freeman maintenance manager at King's Lynn said: "He's very proud and protective of his work-mates. I've appreciated being able to draw on his wealth of experience and knowledge at the port."


Photograph Ref: 11/043781 taken 11th May 2011 by John Barrett - Michael Bray, left, receives his long service award from Paul Freeman, watched by colleagues, from left, Sean Murray general engineering operative, Dick Wood fitter and relief engineering supervisor, Adrian Back, fitter. Terry Ford and Ian Gray electricians.





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