School pals retire together after working side by side for 40 years
TWO workmates are reckoned to be Britain’s best friends after they grew up on the same street, went to the same junior school, had the same job – and are now retiring at the same time.
Water board workers Mike Thomas and Neil Robinson, both 58, are ending a working life spent unblocking thousands of toilets, drains and sewers side by side for 41 years.
Father-of-two Mike and Neil, who is not married, of Llanelli, West Wales, even loved the same pastimes – taking their greyhounds for walks and watching darts competitions.
Neil said: “I’ve lived opposite Mike all my life. We had a great childhood together. We were best friends and played football together.
“I’d be waiting for him the minute we got home from school, then we’d be out all evening.
“The first day we started one of the bosses said he had the perfect job for us and if we could last one day with the smell, we’d be there for life.
“We got to be well-known in the area and people would come up to us to thank us for unblocking their loos. What I’ll miss is the satisfaction I get out of the job. Meeting customers, going to different places and the people I work with.”
Neil added: “The time’s gone quick to be honest. He’s carried me a bit. He’s got the brains.”
The pair have noticed an increase in people disposing cotton buds and food waste down their toilets, blocking sewers and costing Welsh Water £7million a year to clear. Mike Friends for life… Mike, left, and Neil as boyhood pals and, right, at work together after 41 years with ‘drains brain’ Mike on the right said: “We have found weird things in the sewers – mobile phones, leather coats and even sex toys.
“This makes our job extremely tough but I’ve loved every moment. We can both look back with a smile. I wouldn’t change any of it.”
Mike now plans to buy a caravan while Neil wants another greyhound as a reminder of his childhood.