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Factory worker retires after 63 years in same job

Lindsey Alder,in Redditchand
Elliot Ball,West Midlands
News imageBBC A woman with long blonde hair smiles holding a massive bouquet of flowers. Behind her is black and pink bunting that reads "happy retirement" with several cards hanging up. BBC
Elaine Hipkins has worked in a Redditch factory since she was 15

A factory worker has retired after the "monumental achievement" of spending 63 years in the same job.

Elaine Hipkins, 78, joined medical equipment manufacturer Entaco Ltd, based in Redditch, Worcestershire, as a packer when she was 15.

Speaking at her leaving party on Thursday, she said: "People have come up to me today and have thanked me for looking after them and being there for them. They said they appreciated it and I felt proud."

The BBC was invited to the event in secret by her husband, Alan Hipkins, who admitted he had "shed a few tears" watching her make her goodbyes to colleagues.

He said: "After 63 years, what a monumental achievement, my wife said she wanted to just leave quietly and no fuss but I thought 'we'll see about that'.

"I wanted to do something that would be memorable for her in years to come."

The pair have been married since 14 September 1981, and have promised each other that they will spend more time going out.

News imageAlan wearing a white and blue checkered shirt stands beside Elaine holding two bouquets of flowers. Alan is wearing glasses and has a bald head and a grey moustache.
Alan said he shed some tears watching his wife say goodbye to her colleagues

Elaine said: "It's going to be different because my husband said we can go out every day. We've got old cars so we'll probably be going out in them."

Asked about what it was like to join the factory as a teenager, she said: "Joining a big factory is a big thing but I managed to do what I was told and I was shown what to do, and I just went from there."

News imageA group photo with Elaine at the front surrounded by her colleagues, some of which are wearing blue overalls. In the background is an industrial warehouse with pink balloons pinned up.
Elaine was described as an "incredible workmate" by her colleagues

Elaine's colleague Lee, who has worked with her for more than 50 years, said: "You can only be nice about her, she's never been a nasty person, I've never seen her lose her temper.

"She's always been kind, and caring, and she's always a good ear as well, a really good listener.

"She will be missed, definitely an incredible workmate."

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