Happy Retirement, Barry!

Today we say goodbye and good luck to Barry, our fantastic Groundsman in Rainham. Barry retires this week after a staggering 49 years with Landscape Services, and even longer in this industry!

In celebration of Barry’s extraordinary time with us, here’s a little history of his career.

Barry began working within grounds maintenance when he was just 16, when he was given was the mammoth task of trimming the churchyard in Boxley - by hand scythe no less! (this job is now done by a ride on mower, and even with the addition of technology it’s still a tricky site to get around!)

In 1973 Barry joined what was then the Kent County Council Estates Department, and which later became Landscape Services, as a Trainee Groundsman. Once trained he became a tractor driver, and then a Static Groundsman for a school in Medway.

But that wasn’t the end of Barry’s career progression and learning! After a time with the school he joined a mobile team providing grounds maintenance throughout the County. He then became a chargehand looking after sites in the Rainham and Gillingham areas of Medway.

Eventually, after many years in different areas of the business, Barry became the Groundsman for Rainham Mark Grammar School where he has been ‘till now.

Speaking of Barry, Contracts Manager James said, “At our recent floortalk event we took the opportunity to send off a valued member of our staff, giving him a few gifts and momentos. Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with Barry and think very highly of him as both a wonderful person and a brilliant groundsman. He will be sorely missed!”.

From everyone at Landscape Services, we want to give Barry a massive thank you for the time he’s spent with us and our customers, and wish him all the best with his retirement.